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The 63 Best Gifts for Coworkers and Employees of 2024

We found the very best gifts for everyone on your team, including the boss, direct report, and intern.

In This Article

In This Article

A variety of gifts for coworkers and employees on a green background
Photo:

Real Simple / Kristin Kempa

You probably spend a good deal of time with your coworkers, and it’s a good idea to show your appreciation for all their hard work by giving them a gift for their birthday or at the end of the year. Gift-giving etiquette can seem more challenging for your coworkers and employees than for your friends, but it doesn’t have to be.

There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for coworkers. “You want to avoid gifts that are too personal in nature,” says Dan Post, author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette Podcast. Examples include clothing like blouses and pajamas; scents like perfumes and colognes, which can be very personal; or humorous items, because not everyone has the same sense of humor. “You don’t want to rely on other people getting your joke in order for a gift to land well,” says Post.

That doesn’t mean you have to stick with very boring office items, like paperweights, either. You can be professional and pick something you know your coworker likes, like high quality sweets and food, a favorite type of pen or personal journal, or something that ties into their hobbies. 

“Gift giving is something people feel strongly about,” says Post. “It makes people feel good, but also brings people anxiety, so you should take care with it.” The best adage to follow is a classic one: It’s the thought that counts. 

We did the hard work for you and found the best gifts for coworkers and employees that strike the right balance between professional and thoughtful.

Organization is key for a happy office, and this Bluetooth-enabled label maker makes the task that much easier. Much smaller than a typical label maker yet just as effective, the Supvan E10 comes with 600 templates via the app, including 35 fonts and a variety of graphics, symbols, icons, and more. It's super easy to use and is small enough to fit in any desk drawer.

How many times have you poured a cup of hot coffee in the morning, only to have it languish on your desk while you take meeting after meeting? This desktop coffee mug warmer will keep their favorite drink at a toasty temperature for up to eight hours.

You may not always be able to get fresh air in an office, but you can at least get some air flow. This personal fan helps circulate the air around you to keep things breezy. It has two different speeds and multiple angles, so they’ll have options for staying cool.

If you’re going to spend most of the day at a desk, you might as well make it look nice. This vegan leather mat will elevate any desk with a pop of color and a smooth surface to rest their arms on. It’s also waterproof and scratch-resistant.

They’ll think of you each time they reach for this laser-engraved ballpoint pen that can be personalized with any name, logo, or slogan up to 20 characters. Choose between several color and font options to tailor each pen to the recipient’s personal style. 

This cushy foot rest fits under a desk, and will not only help them sit in a comfortable position all day, but also give their feet a soft space to rest. It comes in multiple colors and two different sizes to accommodate people of different heights.

Sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day can lead to aches in the shoulders and back. After a long day of work, help them get rid of some tension and tight muscles with this cane massager. It’s designed to get to all the hard-to-reach spots on your back and has six different treatment balls for full-body soothing.

A good night’s sleep is key to a productive work day. Help a coworker catch some quality Zzz’s with this silk eye mask that feels cool and luxurious.

This eco-friendly gift will help reduce single-use plastic and give a coworker some convenient storage bags to hold their favorite snacks. They have a tight seal, so your coworker can toss them into their bag without worrying anything will leak out, and they’re dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

The last thing you want to think about during the work week is shopping for groceries. Make this chore a little less painful with an Instacart gift card, which lets them choose food, drinks, and household items from local stores to be delivered right to their door.

This set of four curated coffees will help anyone get through a long day (or week) of meetings. Each box includes a half-pound of coffee (choose either whole beans or freshly ground), an artisan treat, and tasting notes.

Help them get rid of the endless post-its and papers with this desktop whiteboard. They can use it to clear off their daily to-do list, plus it also has hidden storage inside to hold pens and other small accessories.

A mouse pad is an office essential, and this sleek, full-grain leather mouse pad is sure to elevate their workstation—whether it’s at home, in a coffee shop, or in the office. You can even pay a bit extra to have it monogrammed, making each mousepad unique to the employee or coworker you’re gifting it to. 

Other than spotty WiFi, one of the most frustrating things at work is having your devices run out of battery. This charger can keep mobile devices powered up, and best of all, you can set it and forget it—there are no wires to get tangled up.

Treat your work-from-home colleagues to this lap desk that will prop their laptop at an angle, so they can work comfortably from their couch (or bed, no judgment). It features a wrist pad, a lap cushion, a device holder, and a storage pocket.

We could all use a little extra reassurance that we are, in fact, on mute during our video conference calls. Thanks to Mütesync, the search for the mute button is over. Using the Mütesync mute button, you can toggle between mute and unmute using a physical key—even if the video call is minimized— and the light will indicate when you’re set to mute (and when you’re not). It’s the perfect gift for your remote coworkers, and you just may be tempted to grab a second for yourself, too. 

Made with salt harvested from the pristine waters of the Oregon coast, Jacobsen’s caramels are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The classic caramels and buttery and have a touch of sea salt for a little sweet and savory treat.

Say goodbye to piles of loose notes and post-its—this handy notebook is infinitely reusable. Just write and wipe, and you have a clean slate all over again. Handwritten notes can be scanned and uploaded to a number of cloud apps for safekeeping.

A quality hand cream is another desk essential, especially during the winter months. This luxury hand cream trio comes in a variety of different scent combinations, including the seasonal Winter White set, which includes Amber Cashmere, Coconut Milk, and Lychee Bilberry hand creams, all packaged in a giftable tin. 

Instead of having pens, pencils, and other desk accessories strewn all over their desk, organize them in this minimalist vase. It makes a pretty statement on any desk whether it’s empty or filled with writing utensils. It comes in three different colors: natural wood, greenwood, and blackwood.

This miniature humidifier is so easy to carry and power—simply connect it to a laptop, car charger, or any other USB outlet, and the cool mist will disperse to help them breathe easier during the dry winter months. It’s small enough to keep on a desk, and the silicone cactus design is sure to bring a smile to their face. 

Style and function intersect in this desk organizer from the MoMA Design Store. The “Pear Pod” is by far the most adorable way to store office essentials, including pens, paperclips, sticky notes, and more. 

Tea is always a good idea, especially when the temperatures drop. Show your appreciation for your favorite tea drinker with this gift from Sibs By, which can be purchased individually or as a set of five or 10. Each mini box has enough tea for four cups, and also comes with disposable filters and a reusable muslin cloth tea filter for steeping. Plus, each box comes with a velvet bow, so it's ready for immediate gifting.

This 450-piece puzzle comes in a reusable glass jar and includes a tube of puzzle glue and a straight edge tool, so they can put their hard work on permanent display. Designed by artist Domonique Brown, it will bring some bright California vibes to their workspace.

Whether they’re an Excel pro or have been personally victimized by an uncooperative pivot table, this funny mug will brighten their day and desk. It can hold 11 ounces of their favorite beverage.

Elevate their essentials with these “Garden Party” push pins stored in a matching tin box. It’s perfect for adding a little color to a drab desk or sprucing up an inspiration board. 

Fill their room with calming aromatherapy. This sleek mini diffuser can fit on top of a desk and delivers their favorite essential oil in 10-minute bursts. It’s rechargeable and compact, so they can take it on the go to set the right mood for their day.

Coworkers don’t let coworkers get dehydrated. This stylish water glass bottle holds 20 ounces of liquid and is slim enough to commute with. It makes a great travel companion, too.

A laptop sleeve is useful if you’re spending any time commuting or traveling for work. This laptop sleeve is lightweight and thin so it won’t hog up all the space in a bag, but it’s also padded with three layers of protection to keep their laptop safe from bumps and scratches. It also has an extra pocket in front to stash earbuds, papers, or small notebooks.

If you’re not sure what your coworker likes, show your appreciation with this customizable Sugarwish. You can send your recipient a link to make their own selections or craft a specialty box based on their favorites. This box comes in six sizes with an assortment of candy, cookies, coffee, teas, candles, or wine to choose from. 

Look, crumbs happen. You can help a coworker suck up some of their desktop dirt with a mini vacuum. This one is USB chargeable and comes with a brush and nozzle to fit hard-to-reach places. 

Help them keep cord clutter at bay with these leather cable ties available in a variety of colors and personalization options. The ties can even be purchased as a set, should you choose to give them to multiple people around the office. 

The NYC-based Magnolia Bakery has garnered national attention for its decadent desserts, the most famous being the banana pudding and the cupcakes. If you can’t decide between these two legendary desserts, this variety pack comes with two banana pudding cups and two cupcakes. Plus, it can be delivered nationwide. 

A plant is a thoughtful gift that lasts much longer than flowers. A philodendron is a good gift that's suitable for beginners and seasoned plant parents alike, and this option from The Sill comes with two size options, three planter choices, and a variety of colors. You can send it directly to the office or their home—shipping is free, and each package comes with a plant care guide.

This desk calendar doubles as a piece of artwork, thanks to the hand-designed watercolor painting that’s unique to each month. It comes with a clear case that doubles as a stand, so they can display it on their desk. 

We all have that one coworker who loves cold brew no matter what temperature it is outside. This cold brew maker will let them enjoy their caffeine any time of day. It’s BPA-free, leakproof, shatterproof, easy-to-use, and makes four servings.

These bath balms feature inspiring women such as Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, Amelia Earhart. Each bath balm is made with natural essential oils and has a surprise magnet inside. You’ll be supporting a woman-owned business that hires women in recovery, people with disabilities, and those who have lived in chronic poverty. You can gift the entire set of five or break it up into five different gifts. 

Fortune & Frame’s 14K gold-plated brass lockets can hold any message of your choosing, whether it be a company mission statement, an inspiring quote, or words of appreciation. The frame comes with a three-use easel so the words can be displayed on any desk, wall, or fridge. 

This cheeky fidget toy features common workplace phrases that your coworker or employee might find in their inbox. The three adjustable wooden segments twist and turn to reveal scrambled corporate expressions and lingo, like “circle back on stakeholders synergistically.” 

Give a coworker a little energy boost during that afternoon slump with a tasty snack box. This one from Mouth includes three types of cookies (triple ginger, orange pistachio shortbread, and chocolate sables), all of which are sure to be crowd-pleasers.

Everyone has a favorite mug at home or work, and this monogrammed one will soon become your coworker’s. It’s made of clean, white porcelain, and has a hand-applied real gold letter that will help it stand out from the crowd.

Or if your coworker prefers classic notetaking, this reliable Moleskine is a great office accessory. You can choose between ruled, dotted, double layout, or plain pages to help them jot down all their meeting notes, reminders, and to-do lists. 

For offices (and even home offices) that have the A/C perpetually turned on arctic temperatures, this plush throw will keep your coworker warm. It has a super plush feel, and they can easily toss it into the washing machine whenever it needs a refresh.

Give your coworker a break from meal prepping by gifting them a DoorDash gift card, which gives them the opportunity to try a new restaurant or order their favorite meal for free. DoorDash is available in over 4,000 cities nationwide, so they’re guaranteed to have lots of options no matter where they live.

Why settle on just one gift when you can give a whole basket? No matter what your coworker likes, whether it’s wine, sweets, savory snacks, fruit, or all of the above, there’s a Harry & David gift basket that can make their day more special. In particular, we recommend the Thanks a Bunch Treats Tin, an affordable option that includes a variety of cookies and pretzel clusters.

For another much needed analog break in the day, this adult coloring book will give a coworker something fun and relaxing to do. The book has 50 different animal and flower patterns they can color in whenever they need some creative inspiration.

Upgrade their sound for music, podcasts, and conference calls. This Bluetooth speaker packs a powerful audio punch in a compact size. It’s also lightweight and water-resistant, so they can take it with them on the go.

Whether they prefer hot or cold drinks, this insulated Hydro Flask Mug will keep their beverages at just the right temperature. There’s also a closable lid to prevent accidental spills when they’re moving from their desk to a conference room.

Add your own personal sentiments, such as an encouraging quote or a company motto, to these hand-poured candles. Choose between one of four relaxing fragrances, such as The Gift of Clarity, a blend of peppermint, spearmint, and vanilla, or The Gift of Rest, a mix of lavender and eucalyptus. 

In any workspace, once you factor in a computer, monitor, chargers, power adapters, and more—that’s a lot of cords lying around. Help organize the chaos a little with an organizer that can keep all those loose cords hidden out of sight.

Help a coworker organize their to-do list with this cute notepad that sorts tasks by top priority, later, and tomorrow. All after coffee, of course.

Avoid annoying wet spots or water rings on tables by using a set of coasters. These modern merino wool coasters also look nice on any surface, whether that’s an office desk or coffee table.

Lands’ End’s iconic canvas tote is the ultimate carry-all for any occasion. It’s built to stand the test of time, thanks to the durable cotton canvas and reinforced bottom and handles (it’s been tested to hold up to 500 pounds without breaking). Choose between a number of size and color options, and for a personal touch, you can even have it monogrammed. 

It is an understatement to say that cell phones are grimy. Help a coworker keep theirs germ-free with this small UV sanitizer that kills 99 percent of bacteria and germs. It can also be used for keys, sunglasses, earbuds, and other small frequently used valuables.

Yeake Desktop Mirror
PHOTO:

Courtesy by Amazon

This desktop mirror is compact, swivels, and will help anybody check to make sure they’re ready for their next video call (i.e., don’t have any food stuck in their teeth).

If your coworker always brings lunch to work or meal preps at home, this bento box set will help keep food fresh and neatly organized. It has two stackable containers and even comes with a three-piece utensil set.

This cute foam rainbow can sit on your coworker’s desk to brighten their day. Plus, it doubles as a stress ball they can squeeze whenever they need it. If this shape isn’t their style, it’s also available in a cake, banana, cowboy boot, ice cream cone, flower, grapefruit, and strawberry shape.

This gift set from the candy makers at women-owned Seattle Chocolate features a selection of meltaway truffles, including espresso, dark sea salt toffee, Mexican hot chocolate, pink bubbly, and more. With each purchase, the company donates 10 percent of net profits to Girls, Inc.

Bring a little zen to the workday with this sand garden kit. In between meetings or tasks, they can rake the sand and take an analog break. The kit includes a bamboo tray, sand, rocks and pebbles, a lantern tower, a bamboo wall, a rake, and a sand smoother tool.

From the world-famous makers at Savannah Bee Company, this seasonal honey is the perfect gift for your foodie coworker. The honey is harvested just before snowfall in the mountains of Montana and features a creamy flavor that’s rich enough to be used in place of frosting on holiday baked goods.

A cluttered desk can be stressful to look at and work at. This set of nesting trays can help keep things tidy and give all of the odds and ends a place to live. They can use all three together or spread them out across the room.

These jumbo soap bars feature encouraging words such as “hope,” “peace,” and “joy,”—and they made Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2022. All of the soaps are handcrafted in Mississippi using ethically-sourced, natural ingredients. What’s more is that you’ll be supporting a woman-owned business that hires women in recovery, people with disabilities, and those who have lived in chronic poverty. You can gift the entire set of six or break it up into six different gifts. 

Whether they’re jetting off on business trips or keeping a skincare favorite on hand at the office, this compact and customizable Cadence capsule will be a staple in their bag. Each capsule has magnets to connect with other capsules, so your coworker or employee can build a set for all their essentials. 

Questions You Might Ask

How much money should you spend on a gift for a coworker? 

Giving is personal, so how much you should spend on a gift is also subjective. “The best answer is that it should be something you feel good about spending,” says Post. “A gift exchange should make everyone feel good, and that includes the person giving the gift, and part of doing that well is knowing and understanding your budget as well as the expectations around the event or gift, and making good choices,” he says. Setting the parameters ahead of time, such as exchanging stocking stuffers, can provide some clarity.

Price aside, gifts can be too extravagant. If gifts are too expensive, they can make people feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, something handmade or personally created could feel more significant and genuine than something that costs a lot.

Post recommends that as a gift giver, you can manage the way you present something to allow the other person to receive the gift well, which is more important than sticking to a specific price range. For example, if it’s something more expensive, you could say “I know this is a little more than usual, but I just really know how much you’d appreciate it.” And for something more personal, including a note or message to provide context and connection. 

Is it proper etiquette to buy a holiday gift for your boss?

Gift giving is never an obligation, says Post. Even if half of your workers are giving your manager a gift, it doesn’t mean that you should feel like you need to. If you do choose to give a gift to a boss, “you want to be careful you’re not giving the impression that you’re trying to cultivate favor, or take advantage of a personal relationship in a way that other colleagues couldn't or wouldn’t,” says Post.

A good way to handle gifts for your boss is to pool resources and do a group gift. But again, even though everyone has an option to participate, no one should feel it’s required, and you should never point out people who choose not to contribute. The reasons why people may opt out are personal and not something you need to share in the workplace, so there should be an expectation that no one would judge you about it, says Post.

On the flip side, if you want to give gifts to people who report to you, Post recommends trying to do it for everybody and doing it so everyone feels equal. “You don't want to set up a situation where people feel like they’re being treated differently, and personal gifts that go to some people and not others can create that feeling,” he says. 

What are the occasions you should give gifts to coworkers?

Post says birthdays and holidays are generally times in life where people exchange gifts, so it’s important to be aware of that, though there’s not a strong expectation that you need to give gifts to workers for either. Other occasions to consider gift giving opportunities are when people leave the team or company or retire, and then teams may get together and do something. 

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Lesley Chen and Melanie Fincher. Lesley is a freelance writer who covers shopping and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared on SFGate, Well + Good, BuzzFeed, Byrdie, and PureWow. Melanie is associate commerce editor for Real Simple with three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. To write this article, they researched dozens of potential gift ideas, ultimately choosing the best based on price, practicality, and uniqueness. Lesley also spoke to Dan Post, author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette Podcast, for expert advice on gift giving.