Gifts for Coworkers (Thoughtful, Easy, Not Awkward)
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $10 to under $50
The best gifts for coworkers are small, useful and easy to give: a desk phone stand, a mug warmer, a box of chocolate truffles or a pack of nice pens. Our picks run from under $10 to under $50, so they work for a Secret Santa, a close teammate or a whole team.
Quick picks
- Best under $10: A desk phone stand A tiny desk upgrade that almost anyone can use. Idea 1
- Best overall: A desk mug warmer Keeps coffee or tea warm through long meetings. Idea 2
- Best under $25: A spill-proof travel mug A leak-resistant mug that handles the commute and the desk. Idea 7
- Best to share: A box of chocolate truffles Wrapped chocolates that suit a whole team. Idea 10
- Best for the whole team: A bulk pack of hand warmers A bulk pack that is easy to split into small gifts. Idea 18
A coworker gift is a delicate balance. It should show you appreciate someone without making them feel awkward or obliged to give something back. The safest picks are small, useful and not too personal: something for their desk, their coffee break or their lunch.
We grouped these 20 ideas into desk upgrades, coffee and tea, treats to share, small self-care gifts and gifts for a whole team. Many sit in the coworker gifts under $10 and under $25 range, and each idea notes who it suits and how to give it. If your office has a spending cap, check it before you buy.
Ideas 1 to 6
Desk upgrades they will use every day
A small desk upgrade is safe, useful and rarely awkward, because it fits almost any job.
1. A desk phone stand
A phone stand keeps a phone upright for video calls, recipes at lunch and notifications at a glance, which is a small upgrade almost everyone uses. Look for an adjustable angle, a weighted base so it does not tip and a size range that fits both phones and small tablets. It is a gift that works for almost any coworker, and it is easy to give under a strict office budget.
Tip: Pick a neutral color so it fits any desk setup.
2. A desk mug warmer
A mug warmer keeps coffee or tea warm through a long meeting or a busy morning. Look for several temperature settings and an auto shut-off, which makes it safer to leave on a shared desk, and check that the plate is big enough for the mug they use. It suits a coworker who always seems to be reheating a drink in the break room microwave, and it is a gift that is used all day.
Tip: Mugs are usually sold separately, so add a mug if you want a full gift.
3. A bamboo desk organizer
An organizer gives pens, notes and chargers a home, which is a gift for the coworker whose desk is buried in odds and ends. Look for a set with different sizes so they can sort small items in a drawer, and check the dimensions against the space they have. A natural bamboo finish blends in with most offices and feels more considered than a basic plastic tray.
Tip: Measure their drawer or desk space if you can, since sets vary in size.
4. Mini faux succulents
Faux succulents add a little green to a desk with no watering, which suits busy offices, long weekends and anyone who has a history with houseplants. A set of small pots can be split into several gifts, one for each person on a team. Look for pots sturdy enough to sit by a monitor, and choose a set that looks natural rather than shiny.
Tip: A multi-pack can be split across several coworkers for a team gift.
5. A classic hardcover notebook
A hardcover notebook is a useful, neutral gift for meeting notes, to-do lists and brainstorming, and it suits nearly every role. Look for a size that fits in a bag, a lay-flat binding and paper that works with the pens they use. A plain black or navy cover is a safe choice for someone you do not know well, and it works for coworkers of any seniority.
Tip: Choose ruled pages for notes, since dotted and blank are more of a taste.
6. A weekly and monthly planner
A fresh planner is a good gift near the end of the year, when people start thinking about the next one. Look for a layout with both monthly and weekly views, check the start month so it covers the year ahead and choose a size that fits their bag or desk. It is a safe choice for any role, from an assistant to an engineer, and it does not assume anything about their tastes.
Tip: Check the first and last month listed so the planner covers the year you want.
Ideas 7 to 9
Coffee and tea gifts
Most offices run on coffee and tea, so a drink gift is rarely wasted.
7. A spill-proof travel mug
A leak-resistant travel mug survives the commute, the desk and the walk to a meeting. Look for vacuum insulation, a lid that locks between sips and a size that fits a car cup holder. It suits a coworker with a long drive or train ride, and it is a more lasting gift than a coffee shop gift card. Check that it fits under their coffee machine if they use a pod brewer.
Tip: Check whether the lid is dishwasher safe, since that is a daily convenience.
8. A holiday tea sampler
A variety box of tea lets a tea drinker try several flavors at their desk, and holiday flavors make it feel seasonal. It is a good gift for a coworker you do not know well, since most people drink tea of some kind. Check the ingredients list for allergens and caffeine if you are unsure, and choose a box with both caffeinated and herbal options if you can.
Tip: Check for caffeine and allergens if you are not sure about their diet.
9. A coffee pod variety pack
A variety pack of pods is an easy shared gift for an office with a pod machine, since there is something for each taste. Check which machine the office uses, because pods are not interchangeable between every brewer. A mix of light, medium, dark and flavored roasts covers most people, and a large box can be shared by a whole team.
Tip: Confirm that the pods fit the machine in your office before buying.
Ideas 10 to 12
Treats to share
Food gifts work in the break room, on a desk or in a bag for the ride home.
10. A box of chocolate truffles
Chocolates are a classic shareable office gift that suits almost everyone, and a bag of individually wrapped truffles can be passed around a team. Choose a mix of flavors if you can, and check the label for nuts or other allergens if the gift is for a group. Dark chocolate suits coworkers who skip milk chocolate, while an assorted bag covers more tastes.
Tip: Check for nut and allergen warnings if the gift is for the whole team.
11. Butter shortbread cookies
A box of shortbread is an easy treat to leave on a desk or in the break room, and it pairs well with coffee or tea. Look for a recognizable brand and check the label for a best-by date if the gift will sit for a few days. Individually wrapped or small packs are easiest to share, and shortbread is mild enough to suit a wide range of tastes.
Tip: Check the best-by date if the treat will sit on a desk for a while.
12. A popcorn seasoning sampler
A sampler of popcorn seasonings turns plain microwave popcorn into an afternoon snack, which suits an office with a shared microwave. Look for a variety of flavors so the recipient can try several, and check the label if you are shopping for someone with dietary needs. Mini shakers are easy to keep in a drawer, and a small gift like this is easy to give to several coworkers.
Tip: Pair it with a bag of popcorn kernels or microwave popcorn for a full gift.
Ideas 13 to 16
Small self-care gifts
Small, low-key comforts work well when you do not know someone's tastes.
13. A multipack of lip balm
Lip balm is a winter staple, and a multipack is a small, useful gift that is easy to give to several coworkers at once. Look for a simple formula and a pack size that lets the recipient keep one at their desk and one in a bag. It is an ideal add-on for a card or a bigger gift, and it carries no assumptions about someone's tastes.
Tip: Tuck one tube into a card as an add-on for a larger gift.
14. A hand cream gift set
A small set of hand creams is welcome when the heating is on all winter and hands get dry from washing and typing. A gift set with several products feels like a nicer gift than a single tube. Check the scents, since a strong fragrance may not suit a shared office, and look for a set with a mix of creams and a cuticle product.
Tip: Go with a mild or unscented formula if you do not know their preference.
15. A pair of fuzzy socks
Fleece-lined fuzzy socks are a cozy, low-risk gift for someone you do not know well, and unisex sizing means you do not need to guess. Check the size ranges on the listing, since socks that fit one person may feel tight on another. Non-slip soles are useful on hard floors, and a bright pattern suits a coworker with a sense of humor.
Tip: Check the size ranges on the listing before you pick a size.
16. A seasonal scented candle
A candle is a safe gift for a coworker you know a little, especially at the holidays. A seasonal scent like pine or cedar feels festive without being too personal. Look for a plant-based wax and a natural wick if that matters to you, and remember that some offices do not allow open flames, so a candle may be best used at home.
Tip: Mention that it is for home use, since some offices do not allow candles.
Ideas 17 to 20
Easy gifts for the whole team
If you need to give the same gift to a whole group, these are simple to buy in bulk.
17. A pack of smooth gel pens
Good pens get used every day, and a multipack is easy to split among a team. Look for a point size that suits them, such as a 0.7 mm fine point, and refillable pens produce less waste. Black ink is the safest pick for a group, since it works for notes, signatures and forms. A box of twelve covers several coworkers at once.
Tip: Split a dozen into small bundles tied with a ribbon for a team gift.
18. A bulk pack of hand warmers
Disposable hand warmers are a practical, fun giveaway for a team that commutes in the cold or works near a drafty entrance. A big pack can be split into small bundles and tucked into cards, which keeps each person's gift small but useful. Check the shelf life on the package, and remember that they are for hands and pockets, not for direct skin contact.
Tip: Split a bulk pack into bundles of two or three pairs for each person.
19. An insulated lunch bag
An insulated lunch bag is a useful gift for anyone who packs lunch, and a neat, plain design suits most coworkers. Look for a size that holds a lunch container and a drink, and a wipe-clean lining. It also works as a gift for a team member who is starting a new routine, and it is an easy item to buy in several colors.
Tip: Pick a plain, neutral color since you may not know their taste.
20. A card game for the break room
A quick card game is an inclusive gift for team lunches and holiday parties, because it takes a minute to learn and works with a mixed group. Look for a game that supports a few players at a time, and check the age recommendation and tone, since some games use humor that may not suit every workplace. A game can be a gift for the whole office rather than one person.
Tip: Check the tone of the game to be sure it suits your workplace.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you spend on a gift for a coworker?
Most workplaces keep coworker gifts small, so a modest amount is the norm. Check whether your office has a spending cap, especially for a Secret Santa or gift exchange. The ideas in this guide range from under $10 to under $50, and a small, useful gift with a short note is always appropriate.
What is a good gift for a coworker you don't know well?
Pick something neutral and useful that does not assume anything about their personal life. A hardcover notebook, a pack of nice pens, a desk phone stand, a box of shortbread or a tea sampler are all safe choices. Avoid clothing, perfume or anything that depends on size or taste.
What are good coworker gifts under $10?
A desk phone stand, a multipack of lip balm, fuzzy socks, an insulated lunch bag and a pack of shortbread typically cost under $10. They are small enough to avoid awkwardness and useful enough to be used. Check current prices before you buy, since prices on retailer sites change often.
Should you give your coworkers Christmas gifts?
It is optional, and many offices do not expect gifts at all. If you want to give something, keep it small and consistent, so that nobody feels left out. A shared treat for the break room or a small gift for each teammate works well, and a handwritten card is always welcome.
What is a good gift for the whole team?
Choose something that comes in a bulk pack so you can give every teammate the same item. A multipack of gel pens, a big pack of hand warmers, a coffee pod variety pack or a box of chocolates can be split or shared. Group gifts avoid the problem of one person receiving something nicer than another.
What should you not give a coworker?
Avoid anything too personal, such as perfume, clothing, jewelry or items about their looks or health. Skip alcohol unless you know the person well and the workplace allows it, and avoid jokes that might not land with everyone. When in doubt, choose a useful desk item, a treat or a drink.
