How Much to Spend on a Coworker Gift: Budgets by Relationship

How much to spend, by relationship

There is no official rule for private-sector offices, so the ranges below are our recommendations. They're built around one idea: the person receiving your gift should be able to return the gesture without any strain on their budget.

When you're unsure, aim for the middle of the range and put the extra effort into the card. A specific line of thanks, like the time they covered your calls during a family emergency, is remembered long after an extra $10 is forgotten.

Secret Santa and white elephant budgets

In an office gift exchange the budget is set for you, and the polite move is to land right at it. Going far under can feel careless when gifts are opened in front of everyone, and going far over makes other people's gifts look small.

• Stay within a few dollars of the cap, and leave shipping and tax out of the math unless the organizer says otherwise.
• Choose things almost anyone can use: food to share, a cozy item, a desk upgrade or a game.
• Skip anything personal, like clothing sizes, fragrance, or jokes about age, weight or looks.
• If you're the organizer, put the cap in writing and keep it modest so nobody feels pressure to join.

Our white elephant gift ideas favor gifts that get stolen for the right reasons, and they include tips on running the game itself. If your office caps gifts at $25, the guide below is the quickest place to start.

Gift guide

Gifts Under $25

Planners, travel mugs, game-night picks and small gadgets that look thoughtful at a common exchange cap.

14 gift ideas

Should you buy your boss a gift?

Etiquette experts generally say no to a solo gift for a boss, because it can look like an attempt to win favor. The Emily Post Institute suggests a pooled gift from the team instead, as long as it isn't too expensive or too personal. A sincere card is always appropriate on its own.

If you organize a group gift, suggest an amount, but make it clear that both the amount and joining in are optional. An envelope on your desk or an anonymous collection keeps it low-pressure. A few dollars per person adds up quickly on a team of six or more.

Our gift ideas for your boss stay professional and include options that work well as a group gift, from a classic pen to coffee and tea picks.

Gifts from a manager to the team

Giving down is different: it's generous rather than risky, as long as you treat everyone the same. The Emily Post Institute's advice is to give across the board, so no person or team is left out. Pick one gift for everyone, or set one budget and keep to it for each person.

Think twice about gift cards. The IRS says cash and cash equivalents, such as gift cards for general merchandise, are never excludable from an employee's income, so they count as taxable pay even when the amount is small. A modest physical gift, such as a holiday treat, can be treated differently. Check with your payroll or HR team before you buy.

Gift guide

Gifts for Employees

Gifts that feel fair and thoughtful for a whole team, from break-room treats to desk upgrades and recognition gifts.

20 gift ideas

How to make a small budget feel generous

1. Write a real note. Two specific sentences about what they did this year matter more than the price tag.
2. Choose one good thing over several cheap ones. A great pen beats a bag of filler.
3. Pick something that gets used up. Coffee, tea, snacks and candles never turn into clutter.
4. Wrap it with care. A plain box, tissue paper and a handwritten tag make a $10 gift look considered.
5. Give it quietly if it's only for one or two people, so others don't feel left out.

Need ideas at a specific price? Our gifts under $10 are small gifts that still feel chosen, from good pens to card games, and they work well for a whole team.

When it's fine to spend more

Some moments call for a bigger gesture: a coworker's wedding, a new baby, a retirement or a farewell. A group collection works best here, because everyone can give a little while the gift itself can be meaningful.

If you want to give a close work friend something more personal, give it outside the office or after hours. That keeps the gift about your friendship and avoids awkward comparisons with the rest of the team.