Doing a Secret Santa or holiday gift exchange at your office this year? Wondering what would make a thoughtful gift for your boss while still remaining professional? Panicking about finding a unique gift for every single one of your coworkers?
There’s no need to raise your blood pressure over gift-giving—the holidays are supposed to be about showing people you care for and appreciate them, and it really is the thought that counts more than the amount of money you spend.
With that in mind, here are some thoughtful holiday gift ideas for your co-workers and boss that won’t break the bank.
For the Super Organized Coworker
Every office has a person (or two, or three) who thrive on a perfectly organized work space and have created elaborate spreadsheets and filing systems that make them the masters of efficiency. If you’re shopping for anyone who loves keeping things neat and tidy, consider getting them organization tools with a fun twist, like these Underwhelmed Task Clips or The Non-Planner Datebook.
For the Super Disorganized Coworker
Know someone who could use a little more structure in their work environment? Opt for an organizational tool that will help them be more productive without offending them. Try something a little bit unusual like a mini filing cabinet or funny sticky notes. Maybe your gift won’t convince them to completely clean up their act, but it will help them move in the right direction.
For the Office Bookworm
If you work with someone who is a big reader, both in and out of the office, give them a gift to nurture their love of the written word. Scrabble magnets will allow them to get creative with the office refrigerator, while a personal library kit will allow them to leave their mark on the books they own. Alternatively, you could get them a one year subscription to a literary magazine like The New Yorker or McSweeney’s Quarterly.
For the Company Prankster
Office gag gifts are never hard to come by and are bound to brighten the day of any lighthearted coworker. Office Playground has a great selection of fun mugs, including the Ninja Mug and the Donut Mug, so that your coworker can add some flair to their morning coffee routine. If they need more decorations for their workspace, consider getting them a framed print of a headline from America’s leading fake news source, The Onion.
For the Office Trivia Nut
Chances are, you work with someone who seems to know random facts about every imaginable subject and would be a great contender on Jeopardy. Help them expand their trivia knowledge even further by getting them a book from Mental Floss, like Science in Seconds or the entertaining but informative Mental Floss History of the United States.
For the Office Foodie
The discerning foodie can be notoriously hard to please, but give any boss or coworker a thoughtful food gift basket and they’re sure to be happy. If you’re skilled in the kitchen, you can bake your own holiday treats or even put together the ingredients and provide recipes for winter meals that you love. If you’d rather go with a pre-assembled gift basket, Harry and David has some great offerings, and Gourmet Gift Baskets has a health food option if you’re shopping for someone who’s particularly concerned with nutrition.
For the Coworker/Boss Who Has Everything
The hardest people to shop for are the ones who already seem to have every cool gadget and material good imaginable. If you’re stuck on ideas, consider getting your coworker or boss something that will directly contribute to a charity. For example, if you buy one of these HOPE star ornaments, 20% of the cost will be donated to SickKids. You can also directly donate to a charity that you know your boss or coworker cares about. Oxfam has a great gift program that allows you to spend a small amount of money to buy livestock or vegetable gifts that will help someone in need, and your coworker or boss will get a personalized card telling them about what a difference their gift is making.
Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to the ideas on this list. You might consider other alternatives like making baked goods for everyone in the office or giving everyone a handmade card with a personalized message. Let your creative side shine through and think about what your bosses and coworkers will truly appreciate this holiday season.
