26 Gifts for Your Co-Workers That'll Make You Employee of the Month
These creative ideas work for White Elephants, birthdays, and beyond.
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When finding a gift for a co-worker, my advice is to not overthink it. As an editor who writes gift guides for a living (and as someone who works with co-workers in an office), I recommend gifting items that will offer a pick-me-up during a busy workday: think tasty snack boxes, a show-stopping flower arrangement, or a fancy candle for them to enjoy after clocking out. I did some digging and found gift ideas for every kind of co-worker and budget, including a handful of items our staffers tried ourselves. (Also, editor's tip: save the controversial gag gifts for your friends and family to keep things office appropriate).
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Why we like it: We've actually found that this desktop vacuum cleaner is a top-selling gift for anyone, but particularly your co-worker who is always snacking at their desk. It works well to clean up crumbs and dust, according to more than 10,000 five-star reviewers.
What you should know: This cordless cleaner takes two AA batteries, which are not included.
Why we like it: Imagine being able to enjoy a soft breeze while working or on the go. This battery-operated fan will help them do just that. It features three speeds and once it's fully charged, it's designed to offer up to 16 hours of battery life.
What you should know: After trying the fan, one of our staffers raved about this fan's convenient design.
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Why we like it: This hilarious (and genuinely handy) mug decorated with spreadsheet shortcuts is bound to earn you some giggles at the company White Elephant exchange. Pair it with some coffee or tea for a well-rounded gift.
What you should know: This 12-ounce mug is dishwasher and microwave-safe, according to the brand.
Why we like it: Not only do our staffers like it, but so does Oprah! She calls it roomy and likes that it's inspired by a duffel. “Two main compartments and front zippered pockets make sure everything—skin care, shower essentials, makeup, brushes, even medications—stays upright and organized,” she says.
What you should know: Our very own Home Design Director, Monique Valeris, as well as Textiles Lab pro Grace Wu have raved about this particular bag. They like that it's lightweight and easy to carry with the top handle.
Why we like it: For the co-worker who runs on caffeine, this subscription gives them a taste of coffee from around the world, curated to suit their taste and drinking habits. What's more, it won a Kitchen Gear Award two years in a row, with users praising its fresh and flavorful beans.
What you should know: You can purchase 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscriptions.
Why we like it: Our Beauty Lab experts' best luxury hand cream pick, L'Occitane's hand cream impressed our pros with its softening, shea butter-infused formula. This gift set comes with three scents: almond, lavender, and classic shea.
What you should know: In our Lab, users who tried it agreed it improved the look of chapped and cracked hands.
Why we like it: We all know that one co-worker who is always freezing. They need this portable hand warmer in their life. "I love how it offers a good amount of battery life and is small and light enough to carry around with me," added Senior Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski in her review.
What you should know: This hand warmer is available in five colors, and each charge lasts up to 3 to 4 hours, according to the brand.
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Why we like it: Museum gift shops are one of my favorite places to shop for unique and elegant gifts, like this color block pencil holder from the MoMA Design Store. It has two separate compartments to keep pens and smaller supplies like paperclips separate.
What you should know: This pencil holder comes in two colors and measures 4.9" H x 2.75" W x 2.75" D.
Why we like it: If your favorite co-worker has a bad case of the fidgets, this fun toy is the gift for them. To help relieve stress, they can use it to create tons of different shapes. It even includes touchscreen pen tips and refills.
What you should know: This fidget pen is available in rainbow or black.
Why we like it: Leaving notes and reminders has never been so fun. The stylus allows them to doodle, draw and write to reveal a rainbow design. We have to say, this is way better than regular sticky notes.
What you should know: These notes have earned a near-perfect 4.7/5 star rating from more than 33,000 Amazon reviewers, who praise their vibrant colors and affordable price point.
Why we like it: Stanley cups are a favorite of GH's Kitchen Lab pros, thanks to its cupholder-friendly design and comfortable handle. I keep one at my desk, and it helps me remember to stay hydrated throughout the workday.
What you should know: This viral tumbler has a rigid straw that leaks when tilted, so shoppers should note that it needs to be held upright.
Why we like it: I keep seeing these Smiski toys all over my TikTok feed and honestly, I see the appeal. Even some of our staffers are collectors! The mystery boxes are a blast to open, and the glow-in-the-dark figurines make for an adorable desk buddy.
What you should know: You can choose from a range of Smiski series, like the work series and museum series. Each figurine measures 2.4" L x 1.9" W.
Why we like it: Year after year, LEGO's botanical sets continue to be one of the most popular gifts among GH readers—and they happen to make great gifts for co-workers. This bonsai set has earned rave reviews for its visual appeal and fun assembly, and shoppers say that it looks great on desks.
What you should know: This LEGO set contains 878 pieces.
Why we like it: The internet (and GH editors) are obsessed with MUJI's minimalist Japanese home and office goods, like these ultra-smooth gel pens. This pack comes with a range of assorted colors to keep them organized.
What you should know: This pack comes with ten 0.5mm gel pens. Reviewers praise their quick-drying formula and convenient click-to-open design.
Why we like it: A great gift for a team to their boss, these iconic women bookends will brighten up her office. Made of pine wood, they feature powerful women like the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Michelle Obama, and more.
What you should know: These bookends measure 7" L x 3.5" W x 5" H. They come in sets of two.
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Why we like it: We all have that one co-worker who's obsessed with Taylor Swift. This best-selling coffee table book is the ultimate guide to Taylor's fashion evolution through the years, so they'll have tons of fun flipping through her most iconic looks.
What you should know: This hardcover book is 352 pages long.
Why we like it: If they're more of a tea drinker, this gift set is sure to put a smile on their face. I adore Tea Forte's elegant packaging and variety of unique flavors, like orange jasmine and lemon lavender.
What you should know: This sampler set comes with 10 assorted black, white, green, and herbal teas.
Why we like it: I know that candles may seem like a boring gift, but they're a crowd-pleaser for a reason—especially when you stick to high-quality brands. My personal favorite is Voluspa, which offers a variety of elevated scents and pretty glass vessels at a reasonable price point.
What you should know: This petite jar candle offers up to 25 hours of burn time, according to the brand.
Why we like it: Chances are they'll need a pick-me-up at some point during the work day. This fun box is filled with more than 20 Japanese snacks (there's everything from mochi to senbei), as well as tea to keep them calm while tackling their to-do list.
What you should know: This box is also available as 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscriptions.
Why we like it: Sweeten up their day (heh) with this trio of honey from Savannah Bee Company Honey Sampler. It comes with acacia, orange blossom, and lavender honey—perfect for their midday yogurt or tea break.
What you should know: This set comes with three 3-ounce jars of honey.
Michelle is the digital content director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group, where she helps oversee multiple brand's strategy efforts on digital. Previously, she was the deputy editor and managing digital editor for Good Housekeeping. She has over 10 years of experience writing and editing lifestyle content.
Lauren Gruber is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines with more than five years of professional writing experience. She specializes in fragrance, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, and more. Before her time at Hearst, Lauren graduated from New York University and wrote for Shop TODAY, Entertainment Tonight, Self, V Magazine, L’Officiel, and more. When she’s not researching Prime Day deals or testing the latest perfume launches, you can find Lauren hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater.
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