Even though you see your coworkers on a regular basis, you may not know what to give the other people in your office. You won’t want to give a gift that’s overly personal, but you won’t want to give a mediocre present either. Buying gifts for a coworker can be a wonderful way to increase morale on the job. With this guide, you’ll be able to choose appropriate gifts for your coworkers that everyone in the office will absolutely love.
See Our Gift Buying Tips for Coworkers
10 Tips for Finding the Perfect Gifts for a Coworker
1. Stay within a Reasonable Budget
It’s important not to overdo it when you’re gift shopping, and that’s doubly true when you’re shopping for people in the office. You’ll want to decide on a budget for your gifts and stick to it. If you’re buying for multiple coworkers, you should aim to spend the same amount on everyone that’s on your shopping list.
2. Pick a Gift That’s Genuinely Thoughtful
A lot of go-to gifts for coworkers tend to be impersonal. There’s nothing wrong with a simple gift, but you can make a big impression if you give a present that’s thoughtful and considerate. Even if you and your coworker aren’t close, you should keep their interests in mind when choosing your present.
3. Look for Gifts That Can Be Used In the Office
If your coworker is going to be receiving a lot of gifts, they might not want to take all of these items home with them! That’s why gifts that coworkers will be able to keep and use in the office are a great idea. If you pick out the right present, your coworker will be able to start using it immediately.
4. Stress-Reducing Gifts Are a Big Hit
It’s normal for people to feel stress when they’re at work. If you can help your coworkers to manage those feelings, you can improve conditions for everyone on their team. If you’re searching for the perfect gift, why not try to find something that will help your coworker to relax?
5. Consider Making a Gift Box or Basket
Sometimes, it’s easy to come up with ideas for small gifts, but hard to think of a big gift that’s appropriate for the occasion. If this is how you feel, you might want to try putting together a gift box or basket for your coworker. You can fill it with all kinds of small items that you know they’ll love. Of course, you don’t have to fill an entire basket. You could stuff a coffee mug with simple gifts! There are all kinds of great ways to make small gifts feel like something special.
6. Presentation Is Important
It’s likely that your coworker will be opening their gift at their desk. You may even want to leave the item at their desk so that they can find it later on. Not only should you try to find a lovely present, but you should make sure that you wrap it nicely. Opening a perfectly packaged present can really feel like a treat!
7. Look At Your Coworker’s Habits
If you’re having a hard time thinking of what to get for your coworker, start paying closer attention to their habits throughout the work day. Do they like to wear colorful scarves on cold days? Do they usually bring coffee with them to work? These habits can be a fantastic source of gift inspiration. Once you start paying attention to your coworker, you’ll have a clearer picture of what they like and what they need.
8. Pick Gifts That Will Spark Conversation
It’s likely that you spend a lot of time chatting with your coworkers throughout the work day. That’s why gifts that will get people talking can be a lot of fun. When you’re looking at a potential gift, you should think about what your coworkers will say when they see it. Books can be a great conversation starter, as can items that can be used at home, like cookware.
9. Be Careful With Fragrances
While there are a lot of lovely gifts on the market that have some sort of fragrance, you should show some caution before buying something like this for a coworker. If you know that no one in your office is sensitive to fragrance, you can buy it without any concern. If there are fragrance sensitivities in the office, you’ll want to look for a present that is fragrance-free.
10. See If Your Other Coworkers Want To Chip In
If you feel constrained by your gift budget, and you’d like to give a present that’s a little more expensive, try talking to some of the other people in your office. They might be in the same position that you’re in right now, and you may be able to talk them into going in on a gift with you.