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To gift or not to gift coworkers — it’s always the same internal debate.
Every year I tell myself I’ll plan ahead, and every year the calendar outruns me. Suddenly it’s the end of November, the holidays are staring back, and I’m wondering if I should do the whole coworker-gift thing again.
You never have to give coworkers gifts. There’s no rule. No obligation. But office culture, team dynamics, and your own habits can make it feel complicated. I used to buy something small for my manager because it felt polite. Then I became a leader, and the whole script flipped. I started buying for my team instead. That shift taught me a lot: giving feels good, but it also needs boundaries so you don’t overspend, overthink, or overwhelm yourself.
I’ve always been a big gift-giver. We didn’t have much growing up, so once I reached adulthood and finally had my own income, I went overboard for the people I cared about. Friends. Family. Anyone who showed even a whisper of interest in something. But when it comes to work, the calculus is different. Coworkers aren’t family. They’re people you interact with daily, but not necessarily on that deeply personal level. So the question becomes: how do you strike the balance between thoughtful and practical? Useful and affordable? Appreciated and not awkward?
That’s the sweet spot I look for every year.
What I used to gift
In the early days I stuck to the basics: holiday cookies, a bottle of wine here and there, succulents or small plants, hand lotions, and other simple seasonal items. Safe. Neutral. Easy.
Then I went through an eco-friendly phase and gifted reusable utensils, reusable shopping bags, stainless steel straws — the whole sustainable starter kit. These were great in theory, but honestly, not everyone gets excited about a collapsible fork. Once you start paying attention, you realize how tricky it is to be “creative” without being random.
What I look for now: small, useful, not junk
This year, I found myself thinking about what my coworkers actually use every day — not what sits in a drawer. And as someone who is very aware of my own neurospicy traits, I’ve noticed I’m not the only one on my team who fidgets, paces, multitasks, or needs sensory breaks. Even my VP bought us all little fidget spinners once. They were a hit. That told me two things:
People appreciate tools that reduce stress.
Adults are still basically big kids with jobs and deadlines.
So I built my gift list around that idea.
Here are items that work well for tech coworkers, office workers, hybrid teams, and honestly anyone who deals with meetings, context-switching, and general workplace chaos.
Gift ideas for coworkers (tech or not):
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• Fidget pen or fidget spinner pen
A pen you can actually use in meetings but also click, twist, or spin without it being obnoxious.
Pair it with a small notebook and it feels like a thought-out set rather than a random trinket.
I got this one for myself to try out as I might gift these to some other folks in my life: https://amzn.to/3XlNvSE
• Fun sticky notes
People love them way more than they admit. Bonus: great paired with a fidget pen or notebook.
These are a couple of fun options: https://amzn.to/4iowFfB More cutesy ones: https://amzn.to/4pyisyT
I chose the cutesy ones, because I planned on giving them to my sisters and nieces, but kept some for myself as well.
• Squishies or small stress toys
Pick ones that are cute but not childish. Great for people who need something tactile to calm down in long calls.
These are some options: https://amzn.to/3XRI1Pw or some individually wrapped ones https://amzn.to/48qDhWc
There are several kinds, but I got the cute ones again because these are individually wrapped and you can add them to your purse, backback and key chains for each access
• Mini desk vacuum
This is always a surprise hit. Everyone eats at their desk. Everyone has crumbs. Everyone is slightly embarrassed by it.
For me, this little tool is a game changer, I would just bang my keyboard to get the crumbs out and then use a little cloth to clean up the crumbs… Yes, that method still works, but this is a fun little tool that I have sitting on my desk and use it whenever I need.
I got this one for me, because, I’m apparently a messy eater at my desk: https://amzn.to/3LWj7vI
• Mini microfiber screen cleaner or screen wipes
Laptop people. Phone people. Tablet people. Everyone uses screens. These get used immediately.
I got these originally for my glasses - but these work great for screens as well - they are thick and really nice.
These are great for your glasses as well, come in a pack of 6 - https://amzn.to/4rmiMT0
• Tiny stickers related to your industry
Small, fun, and easy to give. They go on laptops, water bottles, or notebooks. Tech teams especially like niche references (code jokes, data jokes, “404: Motivation Not Found,” etc.).
There are so many options for fun stickers out there now - you can probably find one in your industry :)
Here are the ones I selected: https://amzn.to/43UOJYN
• Gel pen sets
If you don’t go the fidget-pen route, a great gel pen set is safe and universally loved. A surprising number of adults have rediscovered handwriting and planning. I also don’t know if you noticed, since most of us are working from home, I never have pens at home. I guess I realized that I was able to grab a pen any time I needed it at the office for use. I’m sure your coworkers are also struggling maybe to find pens that they like.
Here is a cute set that I got myself: https://amzn.to/4iv1a3A but a more basic set where you can break it apart and give each person one: https://amzn.to/44uOgMT
• A high-quality travel mug
A Stanley or similar insulated cup works for coffee people, tea drinkers, and the always-dehydrated.
I got these for my team because they are slim, light and were on sale!! https://amzn.to/4p4A6dR
• A simple puzzle or brain teaser
Cube puzzles, metal disentanglement puzzles, or small wooden challenges. Good for resetting the brain between tasks.
I like these as they come in sets, you can also use them for teambuilding too: https://amzn.to/4adsVLK
If your coworkers aren’t in tech
You can still keep things simple and universal.
• Pens and notebooks
Funny covers. Motivational covers. Minimalist covers. Almost everyone uses these, and they’re easy to customize by style. Check out the journals in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/softeditcollective
• High-quality chocolate or seasonal treats
Just be mindful of allergies. When in doubt, go with brands that are nut-free, gluten-free, or individually wrapped.
• Cozy items
Think soft socks, mini hand warmers, pocket blankets, or even small candles/diffusers (as long as your workplace allows them). These feel comforting without being overly personal.
• Self-care minis
Sheet masks, bath salts, sleep sprays, hand creams. These are safe for most non-tech workplaces but stick to mild scents to avoid triggering sensitivities.
• Insulated water bottles or tumblers
Good for nurses, retail workers, office staff — anyone who runs around all day.
• A small “desk reset” kit
A couple of wipes, a microfiber cloth, and a tiny bottle of hand cream. Not glamorous, but surprisingly appreciated.
A quick note on gift cards
Totally acceptable. No shame. They’re clean, easy, and appreciated by people you don’t know well. Coffee shops, Target, Amazon — the basics always win.
What I ended up choosing for my own team
After running through all these ideas, I kept it simple. My team is flying in for an on-site meeting in December, so shipping wasn’t an issue this year. I decided to get everyone a Stanley travel mug — practical, sturdy, and something they’ll actually use. Most of us live on coffee or tea during long project cycles, so it felt like a solid choice.
I’m pairing the mugs with a small pack of fun stickers so people can personalize theirs. Some of us like a clean, minimalist mug; some of us like full chaos with art, doodles, and random creatures wrapped around the tumbler. Giving them the option feels like a nice personal touch without forcing a theme on anyone.
It’s simple, useful, and easy to travel home with. Exactly the kind of gift I wish I’d landed on years ago.
Final thought
Coworker gifting should feel fun, not stressful. The goal isn’t to impress anyone. It’s just to offer something small that says: I see you, we work hard, and you make the days easier. Keep it simple, keep it useful, and keep it within your budget.