Gift Ideas for Colleagues

Relations with colleagues are not limited to working moments. Conventional holidays or individual commemorative events do not stand aside. In this regard, the question often arises of what to present to a colleague. There is no single correct answer. It all depends on the event, the number of people in the team and corporate ethics. Nevertheless, we will try to figure out what is appropriate and what is contraindicated to present as a gift.

Sometimes it’s not so easy to find a gift for one person you know well, and what can we say about the whole team (or part of it). But there are options for universal gifts. Their main difference is that they are suitable for people of different sex and age. For example, such universal options include sweet New Year's gifts. The moment of attention and respect is important here. Even if a person does not eat sweets, he will gladly share the gift with his children or grandchildren.

Do not forget that this category of gifts must meet certain requirements. If it is you who are responsible for the selection in the team, then take these rules into service. We advise you to pre-configure that the option you have chosen will not suit everyone. And the larger the team, the more opinions there will be. Do not worry about this. It is absolutely impossible to please everyone.

So, evaluating whether or not any gift fits the universal category, check it on the following points.

• No hint of vulgarity. Even if the team has a relaxed atmosphere, it does not give you the right to violate the unspoken laws of ethics. It would be better if the gift seemed banal to the colleague than vulgar and obscene.
• Build on the meaning of the holiday. When we talk about universal gifts, we mean those that are given according to purely thematic events. For example, the most popular will be March 8 and February 23. Universal gifts are also needed here, as they are given to a large number of people. But their peculiarity is that they have a gender attribute. It is always appropriate for women to give flowers, and for men a set of shoe care or purely male "little things."

Below we present several options that have already passed the “battle test” and can rightfully be called universal. They are suitable for both men and women, and are appropriate for any occasion.

Although notebooks belong to the office, but in this case they will be a good gift. It's all about the individual inscription. It can be the same for everyone or be of a nominal nature. In the latter case, it will be especially pleasing to the gifted to use this accessory. In addition, if all notebooks are the same and employees start using them at work, confusion can occur and they will be easily confused. But with the inscription this will not happen.

The most optimal options will be:

• Pictures with reference to the holiday itself;
• funny illustrations or phrases;
• company logos of the company or company in which you work.

You can make your own unique design, which will not carry a certain meaning. This refers to patterns, landscapes, abstractions. But is it worth it to spend money, if you can easily find similar options in a regular store.

This is a fairly large category of goods, but not every stationery can claim to be a gift. Most often they include pens, calendars or books. If you decide to dwell on one of these options, then try to choose the original copy. At least if it is a pen, then it must be of high quality and expensive. It is better if individual packaging, a hard box is attached to it.

Calendars are a little more complicated. If you are issued at your office, then there is no point in doing another one and spending money on it. It is unlikely that any of the employees will want to place it at home - this is more of an office accessory. If it is customary in your company to supply yourself with an office on your own, then such a present will be quite appropriate.

Another subject that indirectly relates to the office is magnets. But do not rush to remove them from your own refrigerator. They should reflect the symbolism of the holiday. This option is good when you yourself decide to congratulate your colleagues. The cost of one magnet is small, so you can provide a sign of attention and do not spend a lot of money on it.

If these options do not suit you, then you can think of an interesting and functional gift in the form of a set of stationery. For example, you can buy beautiful boxes and put accessories in them. Let it be inexpensive, but necessary items.

In specialized stores you will find everything you need. In addition, the choice is so great that you can pick up very interesting specimens. Here is an example of one such set:

• pens (blue, black, red);
• corrector;
• stickers (can be several different in size);
• note paper;
• paper clips;
• eraser;
• marker;
• simple pencil and sharpener.

If you make one gift from the team, then in this capacity a solid set of pens can act. You can see the options with holders (when the handle is placed on a special stand on the table). Also, a good organizer for pens and other office supplies will be a good option. But only this should not be a cheap plastic option, but one that is made of wood.

The traditions of celebrating a particular event in groups vary. In some, the holidays are celebrated widely, with corporate parties, gifts, and in others they are limited to small signs of attention. It also happens that there are only a few men in a team, and there are many women, or vice versa. Then it is very difficult financially to give everyone. In this case, you can do with modest presentations in the form of postcards.

Do not think that such a cheap way of congratulation will be perceived negatively. After all, everyone understands that not everyone can afford to spend a significant amount. It also happens that in an office building there are several floors and on one (or several neighboring) many different firms. In this case, small postcards will be a pleasant present.

You can easily find thematic cards in a bookstore, but you can do them with your own hands - your colleagues will definitely appreciate your individual approach and your efforts. If there are no such craftsmen in the team, then you can contact the printing company, where you will be printed postcards according to your sketches. This would also be a good option. True, the cost may increase.

Many people think that postcards are banal and uninteresting. But it is worthwhile to show imagination, as even such a familiar gift will bring a lot of impressions. For example, if you present a card to an employee, then an unusual surprise in the form of a butterfly may be hidden in it.

Today, colleagues are increasingly trying to surprise the culprit (or culprits) of the celebration with a gift of emotion. This is a special type of presentations that does not imply the presence of any item (the gift itself). Tickets to the theater, cinema, and exhibition can be safely attributed to this category. It can also be certificates for attending workshops, unusual courses, or other similar events.

There is no unequivocal opinion on this subject. Some people think that it is better to give traditional presents, since it is not always possible to guess with the event for which the ticket is bought. Also, some people prefer more functional gifts.

If you know your colleague well, you can decide for yourself which category he belongs to and choose the appropriate option. In any case, the gift-emotion will be unusual and enjoyable. After all, not everyone can afford to buy a ticket for a concert of your favorite group or a course of spa treatments in a beauty salon.

A separate category in this section of gifts will be funny and funny surprises. It is difficult to give concrete recommendations, because each team is individual. But for example, the following options. You can make a funny presentation in advance. Just make sure that there is nothing offensive and obscene in it. You should also avoid the use of photographs and materials that the donor himself would not show publicly for anything in life. It can also be a fun song with redone words or a dance.

If the team has a friendly atmosphere, then you can present comic souvenirs to colleagues. Of course, they are completely non-functional and do not carry any benefit in themselves, but they can raise the mood. But isn’t this the most important thing on a holiday! These gifts are most often referred to as small figurines.They may have a funny message or the figure itself will be very funny. In the shops you can find funny caricature figurines by profession.

On the other hand, it can be a creative gift with humor, which you can do yourself. Here are some good examples:

• corkscrew screwed into a wooden cork with the inscription "amulet from traffic jams";
• framed whip (small rope and tourniquet) and gingerbread with the signature "effective team management";
• You can buy and paint a plate yourself (it is written on it that you wish to avoid being presented to), which then will need to be broken.

Congratulate colleagues can be a completely non-trivial way. Such presentations require preparation, but bring a lot of positive emotions. If you are going to celebrate an event, you can come up with a couple of surprises that will diversify the event.

Anything can be here. Just unleash your own imagination. You can make an original funny scene or invite colleagues to write wishes and send them to the sky with helium balls.

If a gift is given to a girl (girls), then you can agree with colleagues and give them small presents during the day. So, everyone will be able to individually congratulate the heroes of the occasion. To make it clear, we give a simple example.

The first employee approaches the girl in the morning and gives her a flower, the second a little later a beautiful card, the third chocolate or sweets, the fourth simply brings her favorite coffee from the nearest coffee shop (or from a vending machine, if any).

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to talking about a gift for a woman is flowers and sweets. This standard set will never go out of style. And if you are not sure that a creative or funny surprise will be perceived correctly, then it is better to dwell on this unshakable classic. If you want to make a real surprise, then in this case there are plenty of options. We give only a part. But what your personal surprise for your colleagues will be depends on your imagination and possibilities.

It has also recently become popular to give gift cards to cosmetics stores. This allows girls to make their own choices. It turns out that you give each colleague exactly the present she wants. We don’t recommend giving cosmetic sets (even shower and bath products). Each has individual characteristics and preferences. Someone uses only expensive branded cosmetics, someone may just not like the smell of the chosen product.

Many associate sweets with childhood, and therefore are one of the good gift options. But be careful. Even such an innocent present can cause frustration. For example, a colleague cannot be sweet (due to illness, diet). In this case, the gift will only disappoint her.

If there are no special restrictions in this regard, then the flight of fantasy is unlimited. Today you can order personalized candy packaging. For example, congratulations on a profession or company name can be written on it. Another original option may be a bouquet of sweets. It looks no worse than the present, but in addition to aesthetic pleasure, it is also very tasty.

If you want to win the hearts of the girls of your team, then present a bouquet of strawberries in chocolate. Even the most fastidious people will not refuse this. Making it yourself is quite difficult, so seek help from professionals. In addition, they know reliable suppliers of strawberries, in which it is always fresh and tasty (especially true for the winter period). If you decide to arrange a basket with sweets, then you can add it with good tea or coffee. It will look relevant. In addition, the young ladies will not need to spend extra money to arrange a sweet tea party.

And, of course, the cake remains the most important confectionery product, symbolizing the holiday. Do not write off a typical cake to the nearest supermarket. It is better to turn to confectioners and order your own design and decoration. Such a present will definitely be remembered for a long time.

There is also a special kind of female presentations. These are those that are given to a woman who goes on maternity leave. The question arises, but what to give in this case? The simplest solution will be to consult with a pregnant woman in person. The birth of a child involves the purchase of a large number of necessary things. Perhaps you will greatly help the future mom, if you add up as a team and present a truly necessary thing. This can be a baby carrier, changing table and other items that are needed for the baby.

If you are sure that such help is not needed, then you can give something else. Not all future mothers are ready to tell their colleagues about the baby’s gender. Therefore, if you choose a present for him, then choose universal colors. For example, you can give a beautiful set of clothes in green, beige, yellow. A blanket or blanket would also be a good gift. If in doubt that your choice will be correct, just present a certificate to the Detsky Mir store.

Choosing a gift can be difficult. If you yourself decided to congratulate all the colleagues (relevant for small teams), then everything is a little easier. Only you decide what a surprise to present. But if the presentation is from the whole team, then difficulties may arise. Everyone will have their own point of view about the gift. In such a situation, it is not easy to find a compromise. These are the principles of choice that should be followed.

• When choosing a gift for a group of people on any holiday, remember that it should be the same for everyone. This will help to avoid disagreements and grievances in the team. Even if someone does not like it, he will perfectly understand that all the other colleagues have received the same present.
• If giving a gift from yourself, you should not choose an expensive option (even if funds allow you). For example, such a desire may arise if you give a good colleague and friend. When the time comes to give something to you, he will have to choose something of the same value so as not to offend you. Not everyone understands this rule when choosing gifts. Therefore, it is better to have a present that is unusual and interesting than super-expensive. In this case, a colleague will appreciate your individual approach, realizing that you have spent a lot of time choosing.
• Do not forget about the functionality. Sometimes, seeing a beautiful figurine in a store, we decide that this is exactly what you can and should give. But think carefully before making a final decision. Yes, the thing is beautiful. But will a man find a use for her? Perhaps he simply has nowhere to put it or the style of his interior does not accept these excesses at all. A good solution here can be a quality office. A person is not always ready to spend money, as he does not acquire it for himself, but for work. But it is always more pleasant and convenient to use good quality things, rather than what they will give out in the warehouse.
• Think of a gift scenario. Sometimes the gift itself is not so much important as the moment of delivery. If a gift for the anniversary or retirement of one of the employees, do not be lazy to gather the whole team. It will be very pleasant and touching.

Choosing presentations for colleagues is not an easy task, but if you approach it creatively, the result will be impressive. Do not think that an original gift needs a lot of money. Sometimes a friendly congratulation surprise in the form of a scene can please the person who is gifted much more than a standard gift. Show imagination and initiative, and colleagues will remember your congratulations for a long time and reciprocate in the future.

In the next video, you will find ideas for budget New Year gifts to colleagues, acquaintances and friends.