This year more than any other we have all needed support from our friends and family, and for many of us, our co-workers come to feel something like a blend of those two. Whether in the office or even working remotely, we spend hours every day “with” our fellow employees, and the bonds that are informed by this can transcend cordiality and grow into true affinity.
To show your valued coworkers how much you appreciate them being a part of your life, this year give them a co-worker gift they will truly appreciate. Like not another coffee mug, e.g., and not an indoor putting mat, either.
You know your co-workers, so you’ll be able to choose the best co-worker gift from our list. To make sure you’d find something for everyone, we went ahead and made it a pretty long list. If you can’t find something among the 26 fine co-worker gift ideas laid out here, then maybe you need to find a new office.
For the Snobby Coffee Lover
Chamberlain Single Serve Steeped Bags
These single-serve bags of coffee are like instant coffee, except they’re actually delicious, so even the office coffee snob won’t turn up that discerning nose. They rather combine the teabag and pour-over approach to coffee brewing, allowing for a fresh cup of joe any time with nothing more than hot water.
For the Nature Lover Stuck In an Office
Bloomscape Silver Pothos Plant
Silver Pothos plants are gorgeous, as is the planter the thing will come in, and they can thrive even in limited lighting conditions. Also, they’re pretty hearty and tend to survive even with less than professional-level horticultural care.
For the Co-worker Who Still Prefers Hand-Written Notes
Paper Culture Color Block Stationary
This handsome and sturdy stationary will be a pleasure for anyone who still loves the scratch of pen or pencil on paper. Also, the company plants a tree for every product sold, so there’s a feel-good eco-friendly angle you’re also giving as a part of the gift.
For the Raging Sweet Tooth
Sugarfina 3-Piece Candy Bento Box
What’s better than three different kinds of candy in one gift? How about three thoughtful curated candies selected just for the recipient? You can craft a Sugarfina Bento Box into the perfect gift for the candy fan in your workplace.
For the Co-worker Who Likes to Be Prepared
Welly Human Repair Kit
Of course you hope your co-worker buddy will never need a bandage or first aid ointment, but they’ll think of you with appreciation if ever they do thanks to this little first aid kit, which is tucked into a tin so charming it may belong on the desk rather than in it.
For the Person Who Craves Quiet
TaoTronics ANC Bluetooth Headphones
Bring a bit of peace to your noise-addled coworker (especially in the dreaded open office) with these affordable yet excellent Bluetooth headphones that feature active noise canceling (ANC) technology. Also, they sound great whether used for music or listening in to a Zoom meeting.
For the Clean Freak
Brigii Mini Vacuum Cleaner
Small though this vacuum may be, it’s more than capable of keeping a desk, computer keyboard, drawer, and more clean of dust, crumbs, errant staples, and more. Your clean and tidy co-worker will love it, especially if he shares a space with people who aren’t so neat.
For the Co-worker Always Eating at His or Her Desk
FinalSpork Collapsible Metal Spork
Unfolded, this handsome stainless steel spork does just fine as a spoon or fork, which is all you can really ask of a spork. But it’s when the thing is packed down that it really impresses: The FinalSpork tucks away into a case that’s smaller than a golf ball.
For the Person Who Gets Cold at Work
Everlane Oversized Alpaca Crew
We all have the one co-worker who is always asking if anyone else is cold. Give them a comfy and handsome sweater they can keep at work and toss on when chilled instead of asking HR to crank up the heat.
For the Person Who Is Always REALLY Cold at Work
Lasko MyHeat Mini Space Heater
Sweater not enough? Then this super compact desktop heater will serve to keep that cold colleague from getting chilled to the bone. It’s about the same size as a thick paperback novel and can heat up an area about the size of a cubicle or smaller office with ease.
For the Co-worker Who Loves Pleasant Scents
P.F Candle Co Teakwood and Tobacco Diffuser
This diffuser looks great there on the desk or reception counter and will fill a space with pleasant scents that aren’t cloying or overpowering, but can cut down the potency of the odor wafting in from the break room microwave.
For the Person Who’s Always Taking Notes
Moleskine Studio Collection Notebook
An even more attractive take on the classic Moleskine notebook, the Studio Collection Notebooks will thrill anyone who still prefers to jot down notes and appointments on paper instead of on their phones.
For the Office Snacker
Harry and David Tower of Treats Signature Gift
Pretty much no one is going to be unhappy with a gift this delicious. From fresh, hand-selected fruits to sweets to nuts and crackers and other snacks, this is one gift you might want to send to your co-worker’s home instead of his office, or much of it will be scavenged away.
For the Office Buddy Whose Phone Is Always Dead
Real Graphene G-Lite Power Bank
Every office has one: The guy whose phone is always dead. With this super fast charger, a standard smartphone can be juiced up past 50% in a matter of minutes and gets a full charge in less than 20 minutes.
For the Co-worker Who Takes Unwinding After Work Seriously
Blue Apron Mulled Wine Favorites
Perfect for blending with spices to make mulled wine, the ultimate relaxing beverage for a cold winter night, this trio of red wines come with a chef-crafted mulled wine recipe and quite affordable. (Do note that the bottles are slightly smaller than standard, however. But hey, that makes them ideal for weeknights.)
For the Pandemic Conscious Co-worker
Hello Bello Hand Sanitizer
Your co-worker should never feel unsafe or unclean at work, but we don’t want him or her to feel dried out and scaly, either, right? This high quality hand sanitizer kills germs, not the feeling of healthy hands.
For the Pandemic Concerned Coworker
Filtrete 3M Room Air Purifier
Got a co-worker with a pre-existing medical condition that makes them more susceptible to respiratory illness? Or just someone with a case of worry? This affordable air purifier will clean a small room and allay a bit of concern.
For the Pandemic Paranoid Co-worker
PhoneSoap HomeSoap UV Sanitizer
Got a co-worker who is pretty much terrified of getting sick? Give a bit more peace of mind with this capacious UV sterilizing device that will kill 99.9% of bacteria and virus on phones, memos, mugs, and more.
For the Co-worker Who Needs a Bit of Chill
Cornbread CBD Capsules
CBD can help a co-worker chill without losing their edge, because while it activates the bod’s endocannabinoid system, it’s completely non-psychoactive. These capsules make it easy for your work buddy to get a quick dose of calm.
For the Person Who Always Spills Their Coffee
Ably St. Tropez Button Up Shirt
Ably garments are made with filium technology that allows this 98% cotton shirt to shed liquid (and semi-solids — hear that, mustard?) like a raincoat sheds rain. Your co-worker can literally spill all over himself without making a mess. Well, aside from his pants and the floor and desk and such.
For the Co-worker Always Headed to the Water Cooler
FluidStance Fillup
This desktop water station keeps water cold for hours and can store enough water to hydrate an average adult all day long, so your work buddy will be hydrated, healthy, and won’t need to go near the cluster of folks in the break room.
For the Office Tea Lover
Vobaga Mug Warmer
Cold tea is a bummer (unless it’s iced tea) but with this capable little mug warmer, that won’t happen for at least four hours, that being the device’s run time. And of course it works fine for coffee, too.
For the Language Loving Co-worker
Merriam-Websters Page-a-Day
The classic paper page-a-day calendar will always be welcome on a worker’s desk even in the digital age. This one will help build up the vocabulary of that word-loving … work … person.
For the Co-worker Who Is Super Stressed
Headspace Meditation Gift
Gift your stressed out work buddy a month of meditation and you might just bring a bit more chill to the whole office as their whole vibe changes for the calm and collected.
For the Techy Co-worker with Lots of Devices
Aukey 4 Port Fast Charging Adapter
This adapter turns one standard 120-volt outlet into four charging ports, two for USB plugs, two for USB-C, so that device-loving coworker won’t have to ask you to charge this or that little gizmo anymore.
For the Outdoorsman with a Sense of Humor
Tiny Tent
Got a work buddy who wishes he was a camping buddy instead? These replica mini tents will provide a laugh when opened and any time a new client happens by.
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