Gifts for coworkers

Keep it small, useful and neutral

Coworker gifts have one job: show you noticed the person without making anyone uncomfortable. That means modest prices, nothing personal like clothing or perfume, and nothing that needs explaining. Desk items, coffee, tea, chocolate and small games all pass.

The easiest approach is to pick from their working day. A coworker who always has a notebook open will use Blackwing memo books or a Rifle Paper set. One who is always asking for a charger will use a Native Union cable or an Anker plug. One who complains about the open office will use Loop earplugs.

If you know nothing about them, coffee, a box of chocolates or a card game are hard to get wrong.

Secret Santa budgets

Most office exchanges set a limit of $10 to $25, and almost everything on this list fits. Stick to the limit. Going well over it makes the other gifts look small, and going well under can look like you did not try.

Under $15 there are sticky notes, chili crisp, a tea tin, hot chocolate spoons and a peg solitaire. Between $15 and $25 there are notebooks, a cable, earplugs, a charger, the Exploding Kittens game and cabin socks.

If your office has no limit, treat it as $25 and spend the effort on choosing well rather than spending more.

Thank-you and leaving gifts

A thank-you for a coworker who covered your shift or helped on a big project can be a little more personal. A coffee bag they will finish, a SkipTheDishes card for a night off cooking, or a Bird & Blend tea box all say thanks without being too much.

For a leaving gift, pool money with the team. The Ugmonk desk kit is a good group gift for someone moving to a new role, and the team can add a card everyone signs. A farewell gift should be easy to carry home on their last day, so skip anything heavy or fragile.

Remote teams and timing

For a remote or spread-out team, digital gifts and small shippable items work best. A SkipTheDishes card usually arrives by email within the hour. Notebooks, cables, earplugs and tea tins are light and cheap to post. Avoid chocolate in an Australian summer, since it can melt on the way.

Order two weeks before the office party. Small shops slow down in December, and dated items like the Midori 2027 calendar sell out. If the exchange is the next day, a coffee bag or a box of chocolates from a local shop is a better choice than a rushed online order.

Ask HR or the organiser for addresses rather than asking coworkers directly. It keeps the surprise and avoids anyone feeling put on the spot.

Mistakes to avoid

Food is safe only if you check. Purdys assortments contain nuts and creams, and the Cocoa Loco spoons contain dairy. The Dandelion cherries are a good fallback, since they are listed as nut-free and dairy-free.

Strong scents are a risk in shared spaces. Peppermint roll-ons and scented hand creams are pleasant at home and less so in a meeting room. If you sit close to the person, choose something unscented.

Check the plug. The Anker charger has a UK plug and the Cygnett has an Australian one, so buy from a shop in the country where your coworker lives.

Avoid joke gifts that need context, anything about weight or age, and anything alcohol-related unless your workplace is relaxed about it. A plain gift that gets used beats a funny one that ends up in a drawer.

Finally, wrap it and label it. In a pile of twenty Secret Santa gifts, a clear name tag saves everyone some confusion, and a two-line note makes even a small gift land better.

Questions people ask

What is a good gift for a coworker?

Something small that fits their workday: good coffee or tea, a notebook, a spare charging cable, a box of chocolates or a quick card game. Aim for useful and neutral rather than personal, and avoid clothing, perfume and joke gifts. If you know one detail about them, such as tea over coffee or a daily commute, let that decide the gift.

How much should you spend on a coworker gift?

For Secret Santa, stick to the office limit, usually $10 to $25. For a coworker you are thanking personally, $15 to $30 is plenty. For a leaving or retirement gift, pool money with the team and buy one better item. Spending much more than everyone else can make the exchange awkward.

What is a good Secret Santa gift for someone you do not know?

Pick something almost everyone uses: a coffee bag, a box of chocolates, a notebook, a USB-C cable or a quick card game like Exploding Kittens. Avoid strong scents, food with nuts unless you check, and anything that only makes sense with an inside joke. Add a short note so it does not feel anonymous.

Is a charity gift appropriate for a coworker?

Yes, especially for someone who has said they want nothing or who already has a full desk. A gift like clean water supplies through Save the Children Canada comes with an eCard you can send. It works best when you know the person likes giving back. In a Secret Santa, add something small to unwrap so they are not left empty-handed.