Here we go again. A birthday, an anniversary, a farewell, or the holiday season is just around the corner. The date is marked in the shared calendar, and the inevitable question hangs like a cloud over the office: what on earth are we going to get that colleague?
Giving gifts at work is a diplomatic minefield. The balance is delicate. You want to give something thoughtful, but it definitely shouldn't become too personal. It shouldn't look cheap, but an overly expensive gift for your manager feels like an attempt at bribery. And let's be honest: the world really doesn't need another white mug with a company logo.
How do you navigate between professional distance and collegiate warmth? Below are a few ideas for a gift for a colleague or your boss that people — from the intern to the CEO — will actually appreciate.
Bringing order to desk chaos
View on bol →
Take a look at your colleague's desk. Is it a picture of tranquility, or does it look like a bomb went off in a stationery shop? For anyone who spends their days behind a screen, an upgraded workspace is almost always a winner.
Forget the free memo pads from the supply closet. A nice notebook with thick, creamy paper feels like a daily treat. Combine it with a pen that writes like a dream, and even the most boring meeting gets a touch of class. Is the desk a tangle of cables? Then you'll be the hero of the day with a stylish wooden or leather cable organizer. And don't forget the greenery: a desk plant works wonders, but be realistic and don't give one that requires daily care. A snake plant or a sturdy succulent will survive even with the colleague who forgets to drink water themselves.
The way to an office heart is through the stomach
View on bol →
This is often the safest category because what brings colleagues together more than complaining about the food and snacking together?
Start with the coffee. Is the vending machine coffee undrinkable? Then gift a rescue package: a bag of good beans, or a selection of loose-leaf tea with a nice filter. A heavenly gift on a Monday morning. To drink that in style, a good thermal mug or water bottle has become almost a status symbol — it keeps your coffee warm during that overrunning meeting and looks more professional than a plastic bottle. Or go for a box of artisanal pralines or a luxury nut mix, perfect against that familiar four o'clock afternoon slump.
Time to unwind
View on bol →
Office work is a strange mix of stress and boredom. A gift that helps you unwind for a moment — without getting too spiritual — usually goes down well.
Think of the dry office air caused by the eternal battle between air conditioning and heating: a tube of good hand cream is a thoughtful gesture (just choose a neutral scent, nobody wants the whole department smelling like lavender). For the fidgety types, there's a stylish fidget toy — not a plastic neon-colored gadget, but a nice metal infinity cube. Ideal for secretly fidgeting away some frustration during a long call. And for the giggles: a mini desk vacuum to clear crumbs out of the keyboard. Sounds like a joke, but everyone secretly uses it after lunch.
The remote workspace
View on bol →
Since hybrid working is the norm, work doesn't stop at the front door. Gifts for the home office do well precisely because people forget to invest in their own comfort.
A laptop stand is crucial for posture, but many people at home still hunch over their screen at the kitchen table. You are literally gifting them a straighter back. Also popular: a ring light for the laptop so your colleague looks fresh during video calls, even on a dark Tuesday morning. And let's be honest about the biggest perk of working from home — nobody sees your feet: a pair of warm, luxurious house socks is the ultimate guilty pleasure.
The dreaded Secret Santa (under 15 euros)
The gift exchange or Secret Santa with a small budget. Here the danger of junk lurks. How do you avoid your gift ending up straight in the trash?
Humor is your best weapon, but keep it tasteful. A tear-off calendar always works, from office humor to trivia for the coffee machine. A mug can work too, provided it's chosen well: avoid the “world's best boss” clichés and find something that fits your industry or an inside joke only you understand. A funny desk sign — do not disturb, I'm pretending to work — often breaks the ice and brightens things up.
What you'd better avoid
To keep your career safe, here are a few gifts that — no matter how well-intentioned — you'd better avoid in the workplace.
Perfume or strong scented candles. Scent is extremely personal. What smells like a field of flowers to you might smell like a chemical plant to your colleague, and it can even cause headaches.
Clothing. A scarf or socks might just pass, but no t-shirts or sweaters. Guessing sizes is a recipe for awkwardness.
Political or crude humor. Save the off-color jokes and statements for your friend group. At the office, you don't want to be the one making people blush when they unwrap their present.
The perfect office gift shows that you've thought about the person behind the job title without crossing the professional boundary. A small token of appreciation that makes the workday just that little bit more pleasant. Good luck.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you spend on a gift for a colleague?
For an individual colleague, 10 to 25 euros is customary. For a Secret Santa at work, a budget of 10 to 15 euros is usually agreed upon.
How do you organize a Secret Santa at work?
Have everyone anonymously draw a name, agree on a budget and a date, and ask everyone to write down a few wishes. With our free draw names tool, you can do this online, without slips of paper in a box.
What is better not to give to a colleague?
Too personal gifts like perfume, clothing, or gifts with an ambiguous message. Keep it neutral and thoughtful.