Gifts for co-workers should say “I like you, but not romantically, so don’t e-mail HR.” If you have inside jokes, anything related will make an excellent gift. But what if you don’t have inside jokes? Or what if you do and you still can’t think of anything? Certain items have broad appeal. Go with one of those; just choose one that won’t get you fired. Here are the best gifts for co-workers:
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It’s time to harness the power of positive thinking. The Affirmators! at Work deck offers support “without the self helpy-ness.” 50 cards will fit right in your work bud’s pocket. Comedian Suzi Barrett wrote them to be inspirational without all the cheese and “woo-woo.”
2. Dammit Doll
When your co-worker gets frustrated, they can squeeze this wacky doll or wallop their desk with it. Its torso text reads: “Whenever things don’t go so well, and you want to hit the wall and yell… Just grasp it firmly by the legs and find a place to slam it. And as you whack the stuffing out, yell “Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!”
Forget about wasting plastic with traditional lighters. This lighter is windproof, rechargeable with a USB, and long so you don’t burn your fingers when wax is running low. It also has a safety lock and 7-second auto-stop. It’s sleek, lightweight, and perfect for pairing with candles.
4. Candles
…to go with the electric lighter. Duh.
Do you have a co-worker who’s too tired to think by dinnertime? This nifty die saves the day! Your giftee can roll and let fate decide between pizza, burgers, Chinese, chicken, subs, seafood, Mexican, pasta, steak, breakfast, sushi, and “wild card” (which we all know means roll it again).
6. Funny Book
HR Approved Ways to Write Funny Memos: 75 Alternatives for What You Want to Say at Work but Can’t is one of many hilarious book options. It teaches readers how to work humor into their memos. “Don’t eat at your desk” changes to something more like “If we keep finding last year’s sandwiches or fossilized coffee… we might have to ask someone to eat it.”
Sometimes you need a professional-sounding excuse—facts of life. Example: “I can’t close the sale because the Chief Vibes Officer disrupted my SWOT Analysis.” Quotes from this doohickey could be fun to scribe onto an office whiteboard each day.
9. Funny Sign
No crisis allowed. but how about crises? Either brings zero drama or 2+ issues. Don’t gift this if your co-worker is a grammar police officer; otherwise it’ll be a funny little gift. Plus it’s easy to point at when someone has an unwarranted breakdown.
10. Cool Book
In October 1988, the Sharp PA-8500 PDA (personal digital assistant) device was released in Japan. It featured more than 100 of the first known emojis. Shigetaka Kurita: Emoji outlines their progression from origin to the current day. This gorgeous book is a stand-out volume of the MoMA One on One Series,
11. Bag Vase
This gift is nicer than it sounds, especially once you add flowers and water. Twine wrapping completes the boho chic aesthetic. Snag one in clear or white, small or large. The small is about the size of a soda can, and that’s part of what makes it so adorable.
12. Desk Games
Is your workspace less “Go, go, go!” and more “Sometimes go, sometimes sit around and wait?” Itty bitty desk games to the rescue! These tiny toys make for a cool slice of entertainment for bored adults. Just don’t let your boss hear you yell “Strike!’
Whoa! You’re already halfway through Best Gifts for Co-Workers 2025!
Whether you grab these for a co-worker or your workplace community fridge, some wonky creatures are sure to be invented. Great for those weird people nobody knows quite how to shop for. If you’re not sure who that is where you work, it’s you, and probably time you gift this to yourself.
14. Mini-Fan
For your coolest co-worker. This bizarre octopus-looking thing will keep your work friends from sweating. Since it has flexible legs, they can attach it to random spots and still feel kind of all right if they AC goes out.
15. Crocheted Cuties
16. Smug Owls
This game requires at least three players and is super fun to bust out on your lunchbreak. It’s all about coming up with the best answers to card-created riddles. It won the 2024 Origins award for Best Party Game, and is recommended by Mensa. It’s sure to impress and entertain.
17. Fidget Gel Pen
This small novelty gift will fill countless hours of would-be boredom. Your giftee can use their new fidget pen to make chairs, ninjas, dogs, flowers, or whatever else they can think of. Then they can use it to sign paperwork.
This ergonomic chair makes a superb addition to any office. Work hard, get fit as you sit. Do you have a fidgety co-worker? With this gift, they can bounce a bit while they work. Leg extenders are available for anyone over six feet tall. The ball is removable and it comes with an air pump.
19. Plushie Charms
Teeny, cute, inconsequential, and yet still always by your co-worker’s side.
20. Storage Tins
If your co-worker is disorganized, they’ll appreciate having somewhere to put their stuff. If your co-worker is organized, they’ll appreciate somewhere to put their stuff. You can’t go wrong. They are small, so not useful for lunches, gym clothes, or large stacks of paperwork.
21. A Dash of Calm
When your giftee needs some stress relief, coloring mandalas can help. If your giftee would be horrified and the idea of slightly curved pages, there’s a spiral-bound version, too. 50 pages of inner peace await.
22. The Office Merch
This gift works best if you work in an office and/or love The Office.
Who knew there was a freaking Polly Pocket?
23. Inspirational Quote Plaque
When it feels like everything is going wrong, sometimes it’s best to embrace the dumpster fire and pay attention to the light and warmth rising from it. Who needs water when you have optimism?
24. Rainbow Prism
For the co-worker who brings more color to your life, this solar-powered suncatcher will do the same for them. You might be wondering why a suncatcher requires power. It’s to spin the prisms, creating dancing rainbows in the room.
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We hope you enjoyed Best Gifts for Co-Workers 2025!
