The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to show your coworkers how much you appreciate them. While it can be tricky to find gifts for coworkers that are meaningful yet appropriate, putting thought into a small token of appreciation reminds your team how valued they are. Read on for tips on finding Christmas gifts for coworkers that will spread holiday cheer around the office.
Key Factors To Consider When Choosing Christmas Gifts for Coworkers
When selecting gifts for your colleagues, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Budget
First, set a budget so you don't overspend. Coworker gifts don't need to be extravagant. $20-25 per person is reasonable for most office gift exchanges.
Interests
Gifts that align with an individual's unique hobbies, values, or personality are always appreciated. Pay attention throughout the year for clues into what coworkers enjoy outside of work.
Appropriateness
Make sure gifts aren't too personal and abide by company policy. Avoid gifts that could make others uncomfortable or appear improper.
Equality
Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas for Coworkers
Here are some festive gift ideas for coworkers that check all the boxes:
Food Gifts
Tasteful edible presents tend to go over well in an office environment. Savory snack mixes, chocolate assortments, fancy coffee, or gourmet popcorn are universally enjoyed. You could also give bakeware or an ingredients kit to inspire someone's inner chef.
Drinkware
Coffee mugs, water bottles, tumblers, or stemless wine glasses with fun logos or sayings make great desk accessories for sipping on the job. Add bags of gourmet coffee or tea to accompany.
Office Supplies
Nice pens, notepads, portable chargers, mousepads, or other practical desk items demonstrate you pay attention to how coworkers work. Monogram and personalize items to make them more special.
Self-Care
We all need reminders to take care of ourselves. Give wellness gifts like lotions, candles, lip balm, cozy socks, eye masks, or bath bombs to combat workday stress.
Sentimental Gifts
Custom photo calendars, framed prints, or mugs with photos of your team remind coworkers they're valued beyond their job titles. Or, put together a gift basket with nostalgic candy, stickers, and toys evoking happy childhood memories.
Experience Gifts
Tickets to local events, museum passes, gift cards for coffee shops or restaurants, or wine/beer tastings let your team enjoy experiences and quality time together.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Gifts for Coworkers
1. How much should I spend on gifts for coworkers?
Aim to spend around $20-25 per person. Splurging on extravagant gifts could make others uncomfortable unless you have a particularly close relationship. The thought is what counts more than the price tag with coworker gifts.
2. Is it okay to buy gifts for some coworkers and not others?
It's preferable to demonstrate equal appreciation by gifting your entire team rather than singling certain people out. If you have a very large team, you may choose to only buy for your close department.
3. Should coworker gifts be work-related?
Gifts don't have to directly tie to someone's job responsibilities. In fact, it's thoughtful to show you pay attention to their hobbies and interests outside of work when choosing gifts.
4. Is it appropriate to give a gift card or cash?
Gift cards or cash gifts are usually fine for professional peers. Opt for gift cards from popular shops rather than overly personalizing with a restaurant they may not like.
5. What if I don't celebrate Christmas?
You're welcome to give coworkers small tokens of appreciation this time of year even if you don't personally celebrate Christmas. Generic holiday gifts tend to be inclusive for teams with diverse backgrounds.
Conclusion
The holiday season offers the perfect opportunity to make your colleagues feel valued and appreciated through thoughtful gifts. With these gift ideas and tips in mind, you can easily find presents to help spread Christmas cheer around your workplace. Most importantly, choose gifts sincerely and avoid anything too personal, lavish, or potentially inappropriate. A simple gesture goes a long way in making someone's season bright!
