What Are the Best Gifts to Give Coworkers?
Sometimes work is a stressful mess and there’s just nothing you can do about it except get by and float on with your coworkers. After all, without them the ship would sink fast. Even during peaceful times, it pays off to be mindful about the folks you work with and to express gratitude for all of the help that they give you.
Perhaps you are thinking of ways to show your coworkers that you care for their well-beings and appreciate everything they do for the business. Of course, a simple thank you can go a long way and gifts don’t have to be a part of the equation each time you want to show your appreciation. But when you do want gifts to be involved, there are definitely plenty of ways to provide. From little doodads that might help around the office to things that they can take advantage of in their free time, there’s countless gift options out there that you can bestow upon your deserving coworkers.
Today, we’re going to be taking a look at several gift idea options that you could surprise your coworkers with in order to inject some happiness into their long and exhausting work days. Keep reading to see what’s in store!
1. Gift Cards
Almost anything and everything can be purchased with these
You can never go wrong when you choose to go with gift cards via Perfect Gift. There are so many merchants out there to pick from, from department stores and fashion boutiques to restaurants and entertainment venues. Letting them do the shopping for themselves also takes away any risk of purchasing an unwanted or unvalued gift, sparing you any potential embarrassment. Here’s a few popular options to consider:
Amazon. Chances are, most of your coworkers actively shop on Amazon for day-to-day necessities. You can find practically everything you could need all in one place when you shop using Amazon, making it more convenient than trips to multiple stores. An Amazon gift card is just the thing to express gratitude and appreciation around the workplace in a simple, heartfelt way.
Target. Much in the same category as Amazon, a gift card for Target is like saying ‘hey, get almost anything you could want on me.’ Target department stores are as vast as the sea and contain treasures all of their very own. Any coworker is certain to get some use out of a Target gift card.
Visa or Mastercard. When you want to give your coworkers the most purchasing power possible, you’ll want to go with either a Visa or Mastercard gift card. Not limited to specific stores or brands, these gift cards can be used to purchase a wide variety of things that may appeal to your coworkers.
2. Coffee or Tea
Put a little pep in your coworker’s step with delicious beverages
A modest assortment of soothing tea blends that help foster relaxation. Image courtesy of The Tea Can Company.
Coffee and tea products make for excellent gift choices. They generally won’t run that high of a bill, and you can usually depend on folks to drink one or the other (and if you aren’t sure which they prefer, ask!). Coffee and tea products are simple in their nature, yet they can pack quite a lot of punch and are perfect for mornings and afternoon pick-me-ups. Heck, you can even offer decaf or herbal options for the coworkers who enjoy having a cuppa in the evening to help wind down.
There are countless coffee and tea products out there to peruse and try out, though truly devoted coffee and tea drinkers usually have particular brands and varieties that they like. When considering what type of gifts to go with, it pays off to learn what the people you are buying for enjoy. And if you really can’t figure it out, samplers and variety packs are generally a safe bet. Try out this Comfort Zone Tea Gift Set by The Tea Can Company for anyone who likes sipping on a soothing cup of tea.
3. Drinkware
More sipping and less stressing is possible with the right cup
A mug may be small in size, but it can pack a whole lot of flavor on the inside. Image courtesy of Yeti.
Who doesn’t love having a cute cup or mug on hand filled with a delicious beverage of choice? Whether you’re an office worker, a restaurant employee, or even someone who primarily works from home, it always pays off to have a drink close by. After all, work makes you thirsty. That’s why cute or stylish drinkware is never a bad choice when considering what kind of gifts to surprise coworkers with.
The type of drinkware you decide to get your coworker(s) is completely up to you, but it never hurts to check in and see what kind of cups they have a preference for. Or you could do the opposite and get your coworker a new type of cup to add some variety to their daily selection. Mugs are always a solid choice when it comes to cup types, and they come in so many varieties and designs that you’ll never run out of choices to pick from. One great choice of drinkware is the Yeti Rambler Stackable Mug, which comes in a broad range of colors for the ultimate matchup.
4. Small Decorations
Make any office come to life with lively, stylish decor
Small but with a powerful message, this vase makes the perfect desk ornament. Image courtesy of Natural Life.
Workplaces can look so bland and bleak sometimes. Even sterile, like a hospital room. But they don’t have to be that way when you use decorations to spruce up your space. A little bit of color and some stylish accents go a long way, from adorable ribbons and bows to small figurines and trinkets.
Pretty much anything that can comfortably fit into the workplace can be used as decor. There may be some spaces at work that cannot be decorated, but for places like desks and offices you have a bit more leeway for creative freedom. Something like this Artisan Bud Vase would be ideal as a desk or shelf gift, and its heartfelt message can be universally applied to any coworker you care about. Give it a try and see if it could be the perfect little addition to an assortment of desk bric-a-brac.
5. Houseplant
Great to display around the office or inside of the home
A small plant can serve as a powerfully refreshing gift choice. Image courtesy of Lula’s Garden.
Not everybody has a green thumb, and that’s okay. But for the coworkers who pride themselves as being plant parents, it only makes sense that you would go with a gift that fits the theme. A nice potted plant will always solve the perils of gift giving and is pretty much guaranteed to put a smile on your coworker’s face, especially if the plant is one completely new to them. Who doesn’t love trying out their talents on new things, after all?
The great thing about giving someone a houseplant is the variety. There are so many out there to choose from, which means you can surprise your coworker with a wide range of botanicals to really keep them on their toes. Lots of retailers sell quality houseplants, including online retailers like Lula’s Garden where you can get a Bliss Garden succulent plant, which is both captivating to look at and simple to take care of.
6. Desk Accessories
Transform any bland desk space with practical accessories and tools
A colorful bunch of highlighters can make work a whole lot easier. Image courtesy of Papier.
What is a desk accessory? Pretty much anything that serves some sort of use in the office space. That can include a lot of different things, which makes this a gift idea with a lot of variety. Pen holders, hole punchers, notepads, staplers, and more can all fall under the category of desk accessories that are appropriate to give as gifts.
This gift idea might seem a little bland at first, but it can actually be a type of gift that serves practical use, making it all the more valuable. Something like a calculator or even a new printer can make for a brilliant gift that will be functional for work. For this gift idea, we suggest checking out the Bright Ideas Mini Highlighters from Papier. Inexpensive and super helpful, these tools can be easily utilized by your coworkers to effectively accomplish their assignments.
7. Gift Basket
A fun gift that can include things for everyone at work
A diverse spread of high-quality snacks great for sharing with coworkers to celebrate achievements. Image courtesy of Packed With Purpose.
Gift baskets are always a great choice because they can be personalized for specific coworkers or they can be big enough for the whole crew to enjoy. You can put pretty much anything you want in a gift basket, from fun trinkets and accessories to treats and snacks. The kind of gift basket you end up putting together will largely depend on the preferences of your coworker(s), so try your best to get an idea for what they like!
This Heartfelt Thanks Gift Basket serves as a great example of the types of gift baskets you could consider getting for your coworkers to share. Including chocolate pretzel bites, gourmet popcorn, toffee, cookies, and more, you are pretty much guaranteed to have snacks that appeal to everyone’s tastes. A colorful assortment of treats like these is a fantastic way to show your appreciation for all the hard work your coworkers do.
8. Unique Candle
Wow your coworker with a candle that revives as a plant
With seeds in the labels, this candle doubles as the perfect pot to grow a plant. Image courtesy of Hyggelight.
Candles are awesome gifts because there are so many of them out there that you’re pretty much guaranteed to find one suited for everyone. People have different scent preferences, from bold and earthy to floral and sweet. Once you figure out the basics behind someone’s preferred aromas, finding the perfect candles for them becomes a breeze. Plus, the whole workplace can benefit from smelling better, so it’s really a win-win situation for everyone involved.
But why stop at just the perfect aroma? Why not get your coworker a special candle that can be reused after being burned? This Growing Candle from Hyggelight is like a phoenix with its ability to be reborn into a fully living plant after it burns away. Your coworker will be delighted with a lovely scented candle and then even more wonderful wildflowers. All of the containers have seeds embedded into them, so all that’s needed is some soil and a commitment to growing a healthy plant.
Give Your Coworkers More Than a Gift
Everybody loves getting a gift, and giving one certainly feels good too. But you know what’s the best feeling of all? Feeling recognized and appreciated by those around you. A gift signifies a great amount of recognition and gratitude from someone else, which in turn makes the recipient feel truly special. What seems to be a very simple gesture is amplified into something greater in this context. Fostering positive relationships with coworkers is valuable, and gifts can serve as a great segue into healthy workplace dynamics. We hope you found this list as helpful as we did and are able to successfully integrate gifts into your coworkers’ lives.
