Gifts for Coworkers (The Ones You Actually Like)
For the people who make meetings tolerable.
Why It's Tricky
Coworkers occupy a weird space in your life—you spend more time with them than your actual friends, but you also can't tell them what you really think about their reply-all habits. Finding the right gift means acknowledging your shared trauma (endless Zoom calls, passive-aggressive emails, that one guy who microwaves fish) while staying professional enough that neither of you has to avoid eye contact in the break room. It's a gift that says 'I see you, I appreciate you, and yes, I also hate that we have to be here.'
Gift Ideas
- -A 'Per My Last Email' coffee mug for the passive-aggressive poet in your office
- -Noise-canceling headphones (the universal sign for 'don't talk to me')
- -A desk plant that's impossible to kill, like their will to live
- -Custom 'I Survived Another Meeting That Should Have Been an Email' pins
- -A nice pen that they'll guard with their life because office supply theft is real
Things to Consider
- *Remember: anything you give might end up on their desk where your boss can see it
- *Avoid inside jokes that require explanation—if HR asks, you want plausible deniability
- *Consider their desk real estate—not everyone has room for a novelty item collection
Get Gift Ideas That Actually Land
Get coworker gift ideas that won't require an HR disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I pick a gift for a coworker I don't know well?
- Stick to universally appreciated items: nice snacks, good coffee, desk accessories. Avoid anything too personal or anything that makes assumptions about their life outside work. When in doubt, fancy chocolate never offends.
- What's the etiquette for office gift exchanges?
- Stick to the budget (seriously, don't be that person who spends $50 on a $20 exchange), keep it work-appropriate, and for the love of all that is holy, don't regift something they might recognize.
- Should I get the same gift for all my coworkers?
- Unless you want to accidentally start office drama about who got the 'better' gift, uniform gifting is your safest bet. Save the personalized stuff for your actual work friends.
- Is it okay to give alcohol as a coworker gift?
- Know your audience and your company culture. Some offices would love a nice bottle of wine; others would call that 'promoting workplace substance issues.' Read the room—or just add a gift receipt.