2019 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: 5 GIFTS TO GET YOUR COWORKERS

After reading our blog post, “The Unspoken Rules of Holiday Gift Giving in the Workplace,”  you did your due diligence and looked into whether or not your company culture supports holiday gift exchange.

Now that you have decided that your affinity for your coworkers is enough for you to dish out some dough and buy some gifts, what do you get? Don’t forget, these gifts still need to be  ‘workplace appropriate’.

Since choosing the right gift can be a little tricky, we thought we’d save you some headache and give you some ideas on what to get your coworkers this holiday season. Below are some ideas that won’t break the bank.

Nordic Spruce Handmade Scented Natural Soy Candle

Nordic spruce scented candles by Nordic Fox

This natural soy candle by Nordic Fox captures the spirit of the outdoors with a scent inspired by spruce trees in the Nordic mountains. The light and crisp aroma with notes of cedarwood and pine is neither too masculine nor too feminine, thus making it a good option for your holiday gifting. For $9 you can purchase a 4oz tin, but if you really like your coworkers, go head and splurge for the 8oz jar which retails for $18.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

blue light blocking eye glasses

A great gift for both male a female coworkers, these TIJN blue light blocking glasses found on Amazon are a perfect for anyone who relies on heavy computer work to make a living. With these glasses you can give your coworker the gift of less eye strain for only $16.99.

Oh, The Meetings You’ll Go To!: A Parody

book cover of Oh The Meetings You'll Go

Another great gift for male and female coworkers is this written parody Oh, The Meetings You’ll Go To! It’s a parody on Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! This book is brutally honest, and an ultimately uplifting take on the struggles of post-grad life that the over 20-something professional can relate to. $11.83 will get you a hardcover copy of this entertaining read.

My Favorite Coworker Gave Me This Book: Lined Notebook

Book cover of My Favorite Coworker Gave Me This Book

This simple and elegant lined notebook with a light-hearted and humorous cover is a great way to share some holiday cheer tied into a useful gift. For only $6.98, it doesn’t break the bank!

Motivational Daily Flip Calendar

motivational calander

This motivational daily flip calendar is the gift that keeps on giving all year long. It’s perfect for any workplace desk and everyone can always use a little inspiration…and, if you’re going to put a number on motivation, we think $15.95 is a good price!

The Unspoken Rule of Holiday Gift Giving in the Workplace

‘Tis the season for holiday gifting. With that said, do you give gifts at work? Gift giving at the workplace is not mandatory, however, if you do feel so inclined to spread holiday cheer and purchase gifts for your coworkers, picking out the right one can be tricky. If you do decide to give gifts at work this holiday season there are some things to consider…

1. Does your company have a gift giving policy? If you’re new to the company, definitely ask around. Find out the company culture. Do people exchange gifts or is it against policy? If people do exchange gifts, you don’t want to be the holiday Scrooge.

black gift on green background with red circle with slash through it

2. Are you wondering if you need to give a gift to your boss? The answer is: no. You are not obligated to give a present to your boss. In fact, it could be seen has trying to buy your way to your boss’ good side. However, gifts from bosses to employees are fine. According to proper gift giving etiquette, gifts in the workplace should flow downward, not upward.

man in business suit in the workplace

3. Another thing you should definitely consider is if the gift you want to give is ‘workplace appropriate’. If you even have to question whether or not your gift of choice is appropriate, don’t get it!

white check mark in lime green cirlce

4. Consider how much you’re spending. Too pricey of a gift can make others feel uncomfortable. A good price range to stick to is $10 to $20. But before you spend ask around (especially if you are new) to get an idea what people are planning on doing for gifts.

man holding US bills in his hand

5. If you only have one or two work friends that you plan on giving gifts to, make sure you don’t do it in front of everyone else. You don’t want to risk making others feel uncomfortable. Either exchange gifts outside the workplace or find a spot in the office where others won’t see and potentially feel left out.

business women working in front of a computer

Follow these unspoken rules and hopefully you’ll avoid any awkwardness this holiday season.