Exchanging gifts with your co-workers, be it for their birthdays or as the holiday season ritual at work can be quite a tricky task. You might be spending hours on end, every day with these people (sometimes even more than you spend time with family) and yet while choosing a gift, you might be feeling completely clueless. This uncertainty and the fact that you don’t always know your co-workers that well leads to ultra-boring gifts like an Amazon or Starbucks gift card.
You need to realize that your co-workers are not really your family members who will put up with those weird gifts every year and won’t mind the fact that you messed up their gifts, yet again. Remember, if you do mess up a co-worker’s gift, you will have to face them every day for the rest of your lives, and you should not be surprised if they don’t hold the elevator door open or save the last donut in the cafeteria for you.
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21 Gifts For Your Co-Workers
So, though it might have seemed petty at first, gifting a wrong gift to your co-worker can have dire consequences. But, on the other hand, if they like your gift, you are sure to get your paperwork done by the other department in the blink of an eye, or maybe they will even cover for you in front of the boss when you enter office at half-day.
But we also know that these perks don’t come easy, and you already have your hands full than worry about what colors socks would Miss Martha like, right? So, here we are to take this burden off your shoulders and present you with a gifting guide that will ensure that you make everyone in the office feel appreciated and happy with your gifts.
1. Foot Hammock
Our feet are the workhorses of our bodies and sadly, at most times, we tend to be most ruthless to them. However, they do deserve a good rest, especially after a long day at work, and sometimes in between. This foot hammock helps to keep the legs up while your colleague will sit more comfortably and toil away hours on end, typing on the keyboard and staring at screens at the workplace.
Happy feet makes a happy person, so give your co-worker this iMissiu foot hammock from Amazon and let him/her show some love to their feet.
2.Walk-By Scrabble Board
This is a great gift not just for any one individual, but for all your co-workers and people you share your office space with. You can mount this scrabble board on the wall, and every time someone passes by it could try their hand at putting up the longest word on the board, but remember the word has to make sense.
This board from Winning Solutions comes with a tin-playing surface, magnetic letters that make sure to stay where they are and even a dry erase surface to keep notes of the leaderboard.
3. Cord Organizer
As obvious as it may seem, such gifts are the most practical and useful. The state of your office desk gives a clear idea as to how your bedroom must look like back at home and how your head must look like inside out. So, if your co-worker is having a desk that’s well on its way of turning into a modern art of twisted cords, well you better help him before it gets too late.
This handy yet affordable cord organizer from Inchor is going to be light on your pocket as well as help your colleague take good care of their cords and wires, along with the ones inside their head.
4. Temperature Control Ceramic Mug
Are you still wondering which ‘Co-worker Jokes’ printed coffee mug to gift your colleague this year, again? Well, we regret to say that it’s time you change your century-old gift ideas and show your entire office as to how far-fetched you are when it comes to cool gadgets and tech. Gift your co-worker the space-age temperature control ceramic mug which can keep their coffee hot up to 1.5 hours.
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This mug from Ember goes into sleep mode when empty, and wakes up when it senses movement or liquid and the temperature can be set as per one’s preferences.
5. Retirement Countdown Clock
Yes, we know offices are all about meeting sky-high targets and swearing by unrealistic deadlines, but this is one finish line that each one of your co-worker is highly keen on crossing. Yes, it’s the countdown clock to the golden years of ‘retirement’. This optimistic and motivational ticker will help everybody to keep their eyes on the big prize and hustle to the fullest.
So, get this clock from AIMILAR and help your co-worker feel like retirement is just around the block. You could get one for yourself too, coz why not?
6. Laser Cut Wood Journal
We know it seems weird to hand over a plain journal or diary to your co-worker, but trust me it’s one of the most useful things one can have at an office desk. And to take care of the uniqueness factor, we have an option that’s quite a few notches higher. Get your co-worker a cool laser-cut wood journal which has a front cover so good that you will want others to judge this book by the cover.
These stunning designs from Hereafter is sure to make heads turn, and your co-worker will be more than happy to proudly display this work-of-art journal on their desk.
7. Keyboard Cleaner
Though this might be looking just like toy, it’s far more useful than you can imagine. We all know how easily dust and grime settles into the nooks and crannies of our keyboards, and gets picked up by our tireless fingers working on it all day. But, not anymore as you can gift your co-worker this great, reusable keyboard cleaner which will remove those disgusting debris from their work station surfaces.
All your co-worker has to do is use this mini vacuum cleaner from MECO over the surfaces and it will keep everything looking good as new, well almost till retirement time.
8. Echo Smart Pen
Did you ever wish for a magic wand that would make your life much easier after you came out of a Harry Potter movie? Well, we all did at some point in our lives, but with this gift, you can surely fulfill the wishes of your co-worker. And it’s as easy to do all the noting, recording and this is like writing on a page with a normal pen. So, all set to be your colleague’s fairy Godmother/Godfather this year?
This 2 GB Echo Smart Pen from Livescribe helps to record everything that your co-worker will jot down, replay the important meetings and save the audio recordings and notes on the computer.
9. Livescribe Echo Smartpen
One of the biggest issues faced in public places, especially offices is that there are countless dirty surfaces that one may need to touch over the course of a day, like door handles, touchscreens, press buttons etc. And especially in the current scenario, we all know how dangerous and hazardous such germs and body fluid smeared surfaces can be. So, this keychain multi-tool will help your co-worker access all such surfaces without having to come in direct physical contact with them.
This keychain multi tool from KeySmart is practically a blessing from the Hygiene Gods and will have your co-worker thank you as profusely as you will be thanking us after you try it yourself.
10. Eye Strain Glasses
Now, even science has confirmed the fact that we are better off viewing this world through rose-colored lenses, and if that’s a bit too much, then at least, it should be blue-blocking. These glasses are the super hero that prevents the harmful blue light emitting from screens from reaching the brain cells of the wearer where the upcoming neurological havoc can be avoided.
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So, if you want your colleague’s precious eyes to be shielded from the pure-evil blue-light of laptops and phones, and induce sleep-enhancing benefits, then get these glasses from 4EST.
11. Concrete Desktop Planter
We all have that co-worker who has a desk as barren as the Sahara desert. This gift is the perfect choice if you want to add a little life to his/her surroundings in the most effortless way. This concrete desktop planter from Kikkerland Store is such a modern, utilitarian design which not only adds some greenery to your co-worker’s line of sight as well as is effective use of space.
The terraced base helps to hold pens, business cards, and other small, office stationary and serves to be a great accent to the desk.
12. Bourbon Infused Coffee
Do you know any co-worker who ever refused a nice stiff after-work drink? Well, I told you so. But sometimes, hitting the pub after work, swearing at strangers, breathing in musty-sweaty air is not exactly appreciated. That’s when your good ol’ boy at office can stir up a drink which not only has the power of caffeine, but also the sweet Kentucky nectar, i.e. bourbon.
Get the Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Cooper’s Cask Coffee Set and it shall come handy especially on those days, when your co-worker needs that special kick to start the day.
13. Desktop Aquatic Ecosystem
Someone just went and leveled up the concept of a fish bowl, and merged it with a full blown aquarium and we are glad and how! This is a perfect gift for your co-worker who is too lazy to keep a pet that requires high level maintenance and will add some much-needed beauty to his/her work desk. The organisms in this sphere take care of one another and continue to maintain an aquatic harmony so perfect that a poem could be written on it.
Get this classic bowl-shaped aquarium from biOrb store and it actually is everything in a bowl. One just needs to add water and some tiny fishes and your colleague will have a personal aquarium.
14. Under Desk Elliptical
Are you fed up of hearing your bestie cum colleague that they are surely going to hit the gym after work every single day, but don’t ever get to see it in action. Well, this under desk elliptical from Sunny Health is perfect to save both of you from the struggle as your co-worker can effortlessly (not quite) pedal their way to fitness. This low profile elliptical can fit in the smallest of spaces and also helps one to track time, calories and speed using a digital monitor.
Also, it will serve as a great sight to see them as a duck treading water, continuously pedaling below while meeting targets above the surface.
15.Wireless Smartphone Charging Mouse Pad
Is your co-worker one of those people who are tech-junkies and are always on the lookout for new gadgets which helps to make hectic work life easier? Well, this mouse pad doubles up as a wireless smartphone charger and is perfect for the workplace desk. This is not as weird as it sounds, more so because at current times, we tend to live through our smartphones more than we live through our brains. Trust us, it’s a gadget worth proudly showcasing, specially in the office.
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So, get this one from Phillips and there’s even the coolest option ever of adjustable lighting modes like red orange, pink, green, cyan, yellow etc.
16. Life Hacks Desk Calendar
Like our elder siblings have helped us through the course of life, one handy hack at a time, this calendar will do the same for your co-worker, all from the comfort of his/her work desk. This calendar by author Keith Bradford is the treasure trove of all little tips and tricks that you wish someone had told you years back, well most of them anyway.
Unfortunately, it does not tell you where your elder brother hid your favorite G.I. Joe soldier back in fifth grade, but it gives you real intel, like what to do when someone has gum stuck in their hair.
17. Portable Ping Pong
This gift is going to be an ode to all those co-workers who sacrificed their promising sporting career to join your company and take the much respected position of being your colleague. Ping them over this fun gift set from Pro Spin which has a portable, retractable ping pong net which can be set up over any table to transform it into a table tennis court within minutes, complete with ping pong paddles and balls.
Did you know table tennis is also an Olympics sport, and if that day comes, when your co-worker will be standing on that podium with glistening eyes, you should know it’s all thanks to you.
18. CTRL ALT DEL Coffee Cups
This gift is a match made in heaven for that colleague who’s always on the loop of saying that he wishes he could press Ctrl, Alt, Del on his job, reboot and spend the rest of his life on a sunny, exotic beach, sipping on on tropical drinks far, far way. Well, you can’t make this wish come true, but you can provide the next best alternative, which is comforting, hot coffee served in one of these quirky coffee cups and he’s bound to receive some much required solace.
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Also, you can choose from the color options of pure white or classic black from the brand Emma available on Amazon.
19. Knight Pen Holder
There can be no better or literal way of saying that ‘Pen is mightier than the Sword’ and you will agree when you take a look at the next gift option. It has a dashing knight bowing down and offering your co-worker the pen that is going to be the most loyal crusader in all their clerical crusades.
This pen holder from CYXStar will keep their trusted pen ready for all their word wars and their personal knight is more than happy to hold things like toothbrush, grocery list, spork, razor etc.
20. Thumb Drive
Well, if you are looking for a gift for a co-worker that’s fun, but can’t seem to quite put your finger (thumb) on it, well, your search is over, as this gift has a big thumbs up from our end. It works as efficiently as a USB should, looks quirky, and is a much better (safer) alternative than actually sticking your own thumb into the computer.
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We know that’s too many ‘thumb’s used in one sentence, but this thumb USB drive from AreTop Store is too useful and fun a gift to escape this list of gifts.
21. Scalp Massager
Though this might be essentially looking like some creepy sea creature, or some strange metal spider, but this gift is actually going to provide your co-worker with a heavenly feeling at the end of a long day of work. Also, you will get a really good laugh out of it when you watch your co-workers use it in office as that can be a pretty hilarious sight.
This spine-tingly scalp massager from USAGA is going to be loved by even the most arachno-phobic co-worker friend as these are pretty effective in helping them unwind for the day.
Gifting Tips and Tricks
So, if you are soon to be wading through these tricky corporate gift-giving waters, this gifting guide will surely be an eye-opener. We all know how shopping for co-workers each year mostly mean a plethora of scented candles and desk-toys that they are most likely to be re-gifting when they join another office.
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But, not this time, as the above mentioned gift options are surely going to make your comrades happy, and be a life-saver when you are in need of a meeting rescheduling or require help with an ongoing project etc. However, along with all of that, there are certain dos and don’ts which you need to keep in mind when you are giving a gift to a co-worker, and here they are:
- Do decide who’s on the list: So, giving a gift to everyone in your office is not possible, especially during the holiday season, but giving a token of appreciation to everyone in your department, or people who you interact with every day, is really going to be appreciated.
- Don’t exchange gifts in front others who did not make your list: We know you can’t possibly give a gift to every co-worker, but let’s not be too open about it. If you are going to be gifting only a few people, make sure you do it low-key, when not many people are around and it will ensure nobody feels jealous, hurt or left out.
- Do stick to a budget: Now, many a time, we tend to go astray when we are shopping for many co-workers at once, and seem to lose track of a set budget. Always determine the budget beforehand for each co-worker and it shall help to narrow down your gift choices efficiently.
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- Don’t be too personal: Even if you are super excited to be gifting your co-worker something great, don’t neglect certain social guidelines and etiquettes. Make sure to not gift something, especially in your office, a gift that will be too intimate or embarrassing for the receiver. Go for more neutral, fun things and avoid making your co-worker feel embarrassed in a room full of people.
- Do be thoughtful: Giving the perfect gift to your co-worker is one of the best ways to tell them that you actually consider them family, and have put in efforts to give them something that they will actually enjoy receiving. No matter what you choose, it should show appreciation, not be too generic like a mug or a T-shirt and make them happy from within at the end of the day.
- Don’t feel pressurized: Now, a very important thing to keep in mind is that you should not feel pressurized to give gifts to anyone and everyone in the office. Office gifts should never be mandatory or expected, and you have nothing to feel guilty about it. Do not let office competition get to you or your wallet too much, and you don’t have to match up to somebody else giving an expensive gift to his/her co-workers.
So, now you no longer need to turn into Uncle Scrooge and can be your jolly good old self even when you have to rack your brains on gift ideas for co-workers. We have given you plenty of choices and each of these gift options is easily available on Amazon, Etsy or Target. Just make sure to consider the habits and hobbies of your co-worker while deciding upon the gift and it will be a complete success.
