Fun & Thoughtful Workplace Holiday Gift Ideas

Classic Gifts

1. Tea. A travel tin of specialty tea bags or a box of your favorite herbal blend makes a fragrant, cozy gift for the cold-weather season.

2. Chocolate. You really can't go wrong with chocolate... and if your co-worker doesn't eat it, they almost certainly know someone who will.

3. Hot Sauce. Gift the office firebrand a collection of hot sauces ranging from mild to face-meltingly hot. A fun and memorable gift for anyone who likes a little heat.

4. Aromatherapy. Therapeutic essential oils or a holiday-scented candle are a lovely, calming way to celebrate the season, especially for anyone who keeps a cozy desk setup.

5. Cookies. Give a small package of adorable holiday cookies, or bake a batch yourself. Print our free cookie gift tags to complete your gift.

6. Gourmet Popcorn. A tin or bag of flavored popcorn (caramel, cheddar, kettle corn) is a universally beloved, shareable treat that fits easily in any gift budget.

7. Themed Socks. You can find themed socks for virtually any interest on Amazon. Cat lover? Dog person? Coffee fanatic? A quick search turns up endless personality-matched options.

8. Lip Balm or Lotion. For the office mate who suffers through dry heated air all winter, a set of mini lip balms or a tube of luxurious hand lotion is a genuinely useful gift. Or gift both with a Burt's Bees set.

9. Stress Ball or Desktop Punching Bag. Who hasn't had one of those days? Give your co-worker a simple, effective, and quietly cathartic way to release some tension at their desk.

Fun-in-the-Office Gifts

10. Desktop Cornhole. For the game lover on the team, this mini version of the backyard classic is a perfect break-time activity.

11. Fillable Ornaments (Booze Balls). Fill these clear ornaments with a miniature bottle of spirits or a cocktail mix, and include a handful for the team to share.

12. Hacky Sack. Spark some nostalgia and a little friendly competition with this classic toy. Suggest a hallway hacky sack tournament between co-workers.

13. Happy Hour Kit. Build a box of goodies for in-office happy hour: small bottles of spirits or a cocktail mix, pretzels or cocktail crackers, and a party noisemaker. Perfect for a Friday wind-down.

14. Funny Notepads. Put a smile on your co-worker's face with cheeky, humorous memo pads. A quick search on Amazon or Etsy surfaces dozens of hysterical options for every office personality type.

15. Puzzle. Choose a challenging 3D puzzle for the co-worker who loves a brain challenge, or gift a massive tabletop puzzle that the whole team can work on together over their lunch break.

16. Adult Coloring Book. Another great stress-relieving office gift! Pair an adult coloring book with a set of colored pencils or fine-tip markers for a meditative midday break activity.

17. The Office Pranks Coupon Book. If you know a co-worker who equally enjoys office humor, make a coupon book of Jim Halpert-style pranks from the TV show "The Office", to be redeemed whenever they need a laugh at a colleague's expense.

18. Throwback Candy Mix. Put together a bag of nostalgic childhood candies (Ring Pops, Fun Dip, Pop Rocks, Nerds) for the co-worker who has never really grown up. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser and conversation-starter.

Personalized Gifts

19. Custom Stationery. Personalized stationery is less expensive than it seems, and it's a genuinely thoughtful gift for the co-worker who always sends handwritten thank-you notes and words of encouragement.

20. Dog Treats. For the dog lover in the office, bake or buy festive dog treats in holiday shapes. They'll appreciate you thinking of their furry family member.

21. Luggage Tags. For the traveling team member, distinctive luggage tags help speed up baggage claim and personalize their carry-on. Look for durable, unique styles they wouldn't buy for themselves.

22. Appreciation Certificate. Print and frame a certificate of gratitude for the co-worker who consistently goes above and beyond, keeps the team laughing, or steps up as a leader when it matters. It costs almost nothing and means everything.

23. Novelty Coffee Mug or Tumbler. Give your snarky coffee drinker a mug that shows a bit of their personality – something like a "Chaos Coordinator" mug for the person who manages everyone else's emergencies, or a mug that perfectly summarizes their feelings about pointless meetings.

24. Custom Rubber Stamp. Order a personalized rubber stamp with your co-worker's name, title, company logo, or favorite animal. A quirky, memorable gift for the person who has everything.

25. Custom Laptop or Phone Sticker. A personalized vinyl sticker with their name, a meaningful phrase, or a design based on their hobbies is an inexpensive, fun gift that makes their devices feel uniquely their own.

Practical Gifts

26. Desktop Fan or Mini Heater. For the employee who is perpetually too hot or too cold, a mini desk fan, mini heater, or portable hand warmers are the most practical gift you can give.

27. Folding Foot Stool. The height-challenged person in the office will appreciate a collapsible foot stool for days when they're working at a tall desk or need to reach the top shelf in the kitchen.

28. Bento Box. For the employee who brings their own lunch every day, a well-organized bento box is a gift that gets used year-round.

29. Inspirational Mouse Pad. Combine the need for a mouse pad with a motivating quote or a reminder of how valued your co-worker is to you and the team.

30. Desk Plant. A small succulent or unique desk plant brings natural elements into the office, improves workplace happiness, and sparks conversation. Choose a low-maintenance variety that anyone can keep alive.

31. Motivational Pen Set. Give your co-worker a writing tool plus a little daily encouragement – inspirational pen sets are widely available and make a thoughtful practical gift.

32. Cable Organizer Kit. For the tech-dependent team member whose desk is a tangle of charging cables and adapters, a compact cable organizer or a multi-port hub is a genuinely useful gift they'll reach for every day.

SignUp's free online SignUp sheets make it easy to coordinate holiday potlucks and gift exchanges at work!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a good workplace holiday gift under $15?

A: The best co-worker gifts under $15 are ones that feel personal without being too intimate. Great options include themed socks matched to someone's interests, a novelty mug, gourmet popcorn, holiday cookies with printable gift tags, a desk plant, or a set of inspirational pens. When in doubt, food and snacks that can be shared at the office are always a safe and appreciated choice.

Q: How do I organize a workplace gift exchange with SignUp?

A: Create a free SignUp for your office gift exchange – set a price limit, list the rules, and let co-workers sign up directly from their phone or computer. For Secret Santa, participants can claim a name; for White Elephant, use the SignUp to confirm RSVPs and remind everyone to bring a wrapped gift. SignUp sends automatic reminders so no one forgets.

Q: What makes a thoughtful co-worker holiday gift?

A: The most thoughtful co-worker gifts are the ones that show you were paying attention. A mug that matches their personality, treats tailored to their food preferences, a gift for their pet, or a heartfelt appreciation certificate can mean far more than a generic gift card. The gesture itself (taking a moment to acknowledge a colleague at the holidays) is what people remember.

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About the Author

Tara McAdams

Digital Marketing Manager, Content Strategist & Creator

Tara leads content strategy at SignUp and creates a variety of resources on a wide range of topics, including lifestyle trends, parent tips, prep for holidays, volunteer management, and event planning. More about Tara →