Fresh 194 ideas on what to give to an employee in examples

A birthday is a holiday that an employed person has to celebrate in one way or another, even if he doesn’t like it. But the birthday boy’s problems are nowhere near the difficulties that other employees have to overcome. And if the birthday girl is also a woman working, say, in a male team, the hassle will definitely be many times greater. A close personal relationship with a colleague can help in choosing a gift, but what if you only see each other on work matters and don’t see each other outside the office? In this case, it is unlikely that you will be able to give your employee something truly interesting and useful. The list of gifts and ideas for a present for a work colleague in honor of a birthday or any other holiday will help you avoid awkwardness.

TOP 56 ideas of what to give to an employee

If you can’t come up with anything on your own, we use one of the ready-made ideas:

A certificate for a purchase or service (to a cosmetics, clothing, shoe, electronics store, to provide cosmetic services, a haircut, to a bookstore).
Beautiful mug with Soft Touch coating.
Vacuum cleaner for PC.
Leather diary.
Backlit keyboard.
Desk lamp;
Traveler's kit - sleep mask, pillow, earplugs;
Painting.
A table clock.
Indoor plant (it is better to choose from non-flowering ones).
Fan.
Painting by numbers (only for creative people).
Books for recording recipes, travel impressions from books you read.
Drawing kit – paints, pencils, sketchbook.
Sippy cup.
Thermos.
A bag for keeping food hot.
Fortune cookie baking kit.
Purse.
Vase (can be engraved with a name).
Stand for pens and pencils.
Leather folder for papers.
Table pendulum.
Electric kettle.
Table with original inscriptions for home or office.
Money box.
Bouquet of fruits and flowers.
Set of cupcakes.
Fitness bracelet (only for those who are interested), yoga set.
Hair styling kit.
Handicraft kit – threads, hook, knitting needles.
Picture for embroidery.
Handmade soap set.
A basket of cosmetics for body, hair and face care - soaps, creams, shampoos, gels.
Set of essential oils.
Bath salts with different properties and scents.
Set of scented candles.
Candlestick.
Cup stand.
Book stand.
Pen-quill, real feather.
Leather shoe care kit.
A set of glasses and other tableware.
A jar with wishes for every day of the year.
Electronic alarm clock.
Columns.
Headphones.
Massager for neck and face.
Manicure set.
Coffee machine.
Microwave.
Iron and other small household appliances.
A set of rugs for the home.
Tablecloth.
Bed sheets.
Kitchen apron.

This list is almost exhaustive, and most importantly it is suitable for any wallet.

Sweet, delicious

For those with a sweet tooth, New Year is a happy holiday. Everyone gives each other gifts, including many edible ones.

It is important to remember that delicious gifts are only good if they are beautifully designed. Don't ignore the packaging, then everyone will appreciate the attention paid to it.

Fragrant honey or a set of small jars of different varieties.
Chocolate figures or handmade chocolate.
Marmalade in jars of comic medicine. “Negrustin” and “Pills for Happiness” will definitely make your colleagues smile.
Sets of cookies in the form of New Year's snowflakes and figures.
Orange jam with crusts.
Bouquets of sweets with mini versions of alcohol.
Sets of fashionable pasta.
Cone jam. An original and inexpensive dessert.
Gingerbread houses are both decor for the New Year's table and a delicious traditional delicacy.
Candied orange peels in chocolate are another dessert that is fashionable today and will not affect your figure. Relevant for presenting to a young girl colleague.
Painted gingerbread cookies. It is customary to hang them on the Christmas tree and eat them with cocoa under a cozy blanket.
Baskets with tangerines. This fruit has long become a symbol of the New Year holidays.

What to give a colleague inexpensively

If you can’t do without a gift, and your budget is very limited, you should pay attention to inexpensive but pleasant little things that everyone can afford, for example:

A set of sweets and drinks - candies, honey, tea, coffee. You can give a jar of Nesquik and a box of chocolates, the same box of chocolates and a large bag of loose tea, a jar of coffee, cream.
Craft kits. There are expensive ones, and there are those that you can assemble yourself for a reasonable price. So, if it is known for sure that an employee loves to embroider, then threads will always be useful to her. At the same time, it is not necessary to take all the shades presented in the store at once; you can limit yourself to 5-6 colors. Two balls of wool are enough to knit socks or a scarf.
Creator's Kit. Paintings by numbers can be found for a relatively low price. In addition, you can give kits for bead embroidery, making your own soap, etc.
A mug, a set of inexpensive glasses. Not too original, but practical, mugs are never superfluous, they can always be used. The glasses are also not too expensive.
Tablecloth. A beautiful tablecloth will definitely please any woman. Such beauty wears out very quickly.
Bed sheets. Even inexpensive sets can be of very high quality.
Blanket or small blanket. It’s a small thing, but it will definitely be nice.
Thermos or boxes for storing and transporting food. You always feel sorry for money for such little things.
Alarm. An original alarm clock from China, naturally, will cost about 400-600 rubles.
Kitchen set. Napkins, towels, oven mitts, apron.
Set of combs. The main thing is that the employee does not take this as a hint that her hairstyle is not neat enough.
Notebook. It’s not original, but if you manage to choose a notebook with an incredibly beautiful cover, the gift will definitely be highly appreciated.

You can buy inexpensive sets of spoons and knives, book stands and tablets.

Ideas for original gifts for an employee

It’s much easier to choose an inexpensive gift than an original one. But even the simplest thing can be made exclusive. So, you can give an employee a simple box of chocolates, but in a package on which various wishes from colleagues will be written with colored markers. Original gifts also include:

handmade cards;
a panel depicting an employee;
a memorable photograph in A4 format – an employee with the team;
any gifts that are engraved;
a barrel of honey and a book about Winnie the Pooh (funny and useful);
a book about tasty and healthy food and, for example, a cake, pizza, a dish prepared at home;
set of spices;
a pillow with some funny inscription;
collage of joint photographs;
a money tree with 1 dollar (ruble) attached to each leaf.

You shouldn’t be too original; a person may be offended if he learns, for example, that he received as a gift an empty photo frame with a not very funny inscription, while another colleague was given a microwave oven.

If your colleague is a wife - TOP 10 options to surprise your beloved

It happens that strong friendships are formed in the work team, and sometimes happy couples develop. We offer interesting gifts for your colleague-wife.

An elegant rose made of crystal.
Beautiful candlestick.
Big soft toy.
A set of spices in gift packaging.
Handmade soap.
Convenient travel bag.
Photoplaid. You need to take care of such a gift in advance, choose photographs that evoke pleasant memories and take into account the production time.
Beautiful cosmetic bag.
Tea or coffee service.
Desktop weather station.

Thrill Gifts for Employees

If an employee loves thrills, you can give her:

sweets that Harry Potter himself tried from the same Weasley twins' shop;
a set of hot spices;
certificate for parachute jumping, bungee jumping, river rafting;
certificate for participation in the quest;
a tree to be planted as part of a humanitarian action;
a book with the name of the birthday person on the cover;
a certificate for 1 day of leave with the condition that it be spent, for example, in a club.

Paying for a trip out of town to take part in a race or orienteering will add to the thrill. When choosing a gift, it is important to remember the individual characteristics and preferences of the person receiving the gift.

Universal gifts for an employee

If nothing is known about your colleague’s interests, then it is better to limit yourself to a universal gift:

mug;
makeup kit;
certificate for a purchase or service;
postcard;
bouquet of flowers;
candies and other sweets;
tea, coffee, other drinks;
any office equipment;
stationery;
ordering congratulations on radio or television.

The standard set also includes all kinds of photo frames, vases, glasses, plates, spoons and forks.

Useful gifts for a colleague

If the goal is to give a useful gift, then it is wiser to ask a colleague what she would like, for example, one woman may dream of a new set of bed linen, while another would not mind receiving some kitchen utensils as a gift.

You can give the following sets:

dishes;
textiles;
soap and soap accessories;
for Bath;
for kitchen;
for the bedroom;
for washing dishes and laundry.

Even slippers will be a good option, provided that the recipient really needs them.

How to register and sign?

Lettering on New Year's gifts makes them special. The recipient appreciates the attention given to him.

A lot of positive emotions that a good and beautifully decorated gift brings are the key to successfully spent holidays. The more creatively the gift is designed, the better it will be remembered.

Option 1. Wish under a protective layer.

You need to choose a card made of thick cardboard.
Apply a thin layer of acrylic paint to it.
Another layer is applied to the acrylic, but this time mixed with dishwashing detergent (1:1).
When the previous layer has dried, you should come up with and write a bright wish or poem.
In order to protect the inscription from paint, we cover it with chapstick.
A thin layer of acrylic paint is again applied to the lipstick, it is important not to overdo it.

Congratulations are ready! Now, to recognize it, you need to erase the protective layer with a coin.

Gift ideas for an employee from a female colleague

Women are more knowledgeable about gifts than men, especially when it comes to choosing a gift for a representative of the same sex. So, you can give a female colleague a gift:

eau de toilette or perfume;
cosmetics;
textiles (again, it is unlikely that he will be able to choose a set of bed linen of exactly the color and quality that a woman requires);
a box of chocolates;
indoor plant;
Tea coffee;
purchase certificate.

Perhaps, if the relationship with a colleague is close enough, even give her some clothing items, for example, a scarf or tights, pajamas.

TOP best gifts by age

The gift must be suitable for the giver. A lot depends on age. Thus, it is quite appropriate for a 25-year-old girl to give inexpensive perfume and a bouquet of flowers, while a woman over 50 will certainly be delighted with something useful for the home.

25-30 years

A young woman is given for her birthday or first anniversary:

bouquet according to the number of years + 1 year (permissible if the team is friendly and large);
cake with characters from your favorite TV series or book;
a set of dishes, bed linen, spoons, cups, glasses;
certificate for the purchase of cosmetics, items, cosmetic procedures;
certificate for parachute or bungee jump;
indoor plant;
board game;
desk pear;
a large box of puzzles (provided that the young woman likes to collect them).

A girl will not refuse a set of cosmetics or perfumes. The gift can be accompanied by a beautiful card.

35-40 years

It’s just as difficult to choose a gift for a woman aged 35-40 as it is for her younger friend. You can give:

good age-appropriate cosmetics;
expensive eau de toilette;
small household appliances;
a set of stationery;
notepads, leather folders;
something for maintenance or work on a PC, for example, a keyboard, mouse, webcam;
a beautiful cosmetic bag;
box;
a set of expensive dishes, bed linen;
anything related to the performance of professional duties, for example, a rare scientific monograph.

If a woman doesn’t mind souvenirs, then you can buy a beautiful figurine. Colleagues are also treated to tea and coffee sets, sweets and real chocolate.

45-50 years

Women at this age have almost everything, so colleagues can please an employee with an invitation to a tea party by setting a small table during a lunch break or after the end of the working day. A middle-aged woman will also enjoy purely useful things - various bedding, stationery. You can give:

household appliances;
gardening kit, if a woman is passionate about this;
a set of fertilizers for indoor plants along with any plant in a pot;
indoor fountain;
aquarium with goldfish;
mobile phone stand;
some things for the computer - a nice mouse pad, a webcam, a mouse, good headphones, a flash drive.

If the budget is limited, a large box of chocolates with a cake will do, but if funds allow, then they give expensive sets, bedspreads, and coffee machines.

55-60 years

A woman aged 55-60 years old is given jewelry made of natural stones, expensive eau de toilette and cosmetics, certificates for trips to the salon, as well as:

glasses case;
digital photo frame;
case for phone;
backlit e-book;
plaid;
indoor plant;
a set of seeds for planting;
a shawl or a beautiful scarf.

If a woman loves to cook, then she is given various baking sets.

65 years old

A woman over 65 years old is given various pleasant little things for the home, for example, a set of potholders, napkins, tablecloths. Perhaps the employee will be happy:

certificate for a gardening store;
cookery book;
a beautiful gift set of cosmetics;
bedspread

If all this has already been given and re-gifted more than once, then it is better to give a beautiful postcard and money that the recipient can use at his own discretion.

A funny surprise for a girl at work

If your young colleague has a good sense of humor, you can safely give her cool gifts that will become a source of joy and laughter.

A funny medal with an engraving “for the best employee.”
A tie made in the shape of a sausage and decorated with the comic inscription “business sausage.”
A box of chocolates with the inscription “Pofigin”.
A gift box containing a whip and a Tula gingerbread.
Funny kitchen apron.
Shower curtain with an unusual pattern.
A comic calendar for a table or wall.
Certificate of Excellent Colleague.

Gifts for an employee for various occasions

Gifts for different holidays are certainly different. So, on anniversaries it is customary to give something expensive and solid, while for gifts on March 8 people buy simpler things.

Birthday

For birthdays they give:

bedding sets;
technology;
flowers in bouquets and pots;
sweets and cakes;
perfumes and cosmetics;
cash.

As simple as that, colleagues are presented with mugs with various inscriptions, stationery and small items for PC maintenance. Sometimes they limit themselves to a bouquet and sweets.

Anniversary

For the anniversary they give good household appliances - coffee grinders, coffee machines, microwave ovens, electric kettles, as well as:

sets of dishes, bed linen;
certificates for the purchase of furniture;
certificates for specific services;
large cash gifts.

A bouquet of flowers and, of course, sweets are required as a gift. You can also give a ticket for a ship (cruise) or a theater performance.

March 8

On March 8, it is customary to give any pleasant little thing, for example:

candies;
sets of notepads and pens;
sets of stickers and posters;
mugs;
holders for tablets, phones or books;
stands for pens and pencils;
sets of socks.

Ready-made gift sets for the holiday are sold in any gift shop.

Upon dismissal

As a souvenir upon dismissal of an employee, they give:

figurines with the name and time of work;
photo of the team inserted into a frame;
cash gift;
indoor plant;
book of wishes;
photo frame.

If funds allow, they donate equipment and sets of expensive dishes.

Retirement

When an employee retires, he is given memorable necessary things:

large household appliances, certificates for the purchase of furniture;
pay for a trip, for example along the Golden Ring;
buy expensive sets of dishes and bed linen.

The choice of gift depends on the organization and the value of the employee leaving the team.

For a wedding

The following is accepted from colleagues as a wedding gift:

sets of dishes, textiles;
blankets;
money;
payment for the cake.

The choice of gift depends on the salaries of employees and the funds they collect. Some people buy large household appliances for a young family, while others limit themselves to a set of bed linen.

For a professional holiday

On a professional holiday, gifts are given, as a rule, in one way or another related to the chosen type of activity or all sorts of pleasant little things. So, the teacher is given as a gift from his colleagues:

flash drives and memory cards;
book holders;
stationery;
posters for office decoration;
covers and cases for books;
pointers.

Representatives of other professions are also presented with certificates, diplomas, an office, and figurines depicting the symbol of the profession (a snake entwines a cup, a steelworker’s hammer, etc.).

Bad ideas

There are few bad gifts for male colleagues:

Perfumery. You can choose a scent that the recipient will not like.
Cloth. It may also not suit the tastes of the birthday boy.
Technique. As a gift from colleagues, this option is considered not very appropriate.
Money. Exceptions are cases where employees have collected a decent amount.

Birthday is an important holiday. Therefore, you need to think carefully about how to congratulate your male colleague on this important event.

DIY gifts for an employee

It will be no less pleasant for an employee to receive a gift made with her own hands. But in this case, we are not talking about crafts, the most that can be done by hand is a postcard, but about beautifully decorating or completing items purchased in a store. The exception is the gift of truly handmade items, but made by professionals - wallets, leather folders, wooden bookends.

You can assemble and pack various sets yourself, for example, if you take a large box and just throw all sorts of things, even cosmetics, into it, it won’t be very beautiful and presentable. But if you cover the same box with wrapping paper, divide it inside with cardboard partitions, and put hay, sawdust, and special decorative grass at the bottom of each cell, it will turn out beautifully. And already on this structure they place (in each cell separately) a small gift:

face cream, hand cream, perfume, shampoo, shower gel;
notepad, pen, other stationery;
cup or dish;
scarf;
a postcard and a certificate for going to the salon.

Even the most insignificant gift can be presented in such a way that its value and cost in the eyes of the recipient increases its value several times over.

Cool, funny

If the atmosphere in the team is always friendly and conducive to jokes, if all colleagues are the same age, then you can slightly violate the norms of decency by giving your colleagues original gifts.

The main thing is not to cross the fine line between funny and offensive. Here are some options for souvenirs and useful things for the New Year:

Chocolate in an unexpected form. For example, in the shape of a leg or a chicken wing.
A shovel for “raking in money.” This tiny spatula in a box is a simple souvenir.
Mini bar. But not a simple one, but in the form of a stack of books.
Bouquet of socks. It’s quite simple to do with your own hands, it’s not immediately clear why, but you can figure it out at home.
Souvenir “belly button brush”. An inexpensive and creative gift with the caption “for the one who has everything.”
Mouse pad in the shape of a butt. Female - for men, male - for women. A funny gift with a joke for the New Year.
Back scratcher. Another funny gift for those who have everything.
Diplomas and certificates with humorous inscriptions. Example: certificate of ownership of the most distant star in space.
Signs with inscriptions on the desktop, for example: “I’m not sleeping, I’m thinking.” Very budget-friendly, yet appropriate.
Sweater for tablet. A funny New Year's case, you can give it to a friend or colleague.
Lighter in the form of a grenade or pistol. An unusual souvenir. There are also full-size models identical to real weapons.

Watch a video with different samples of lighters:

What is better not to give to an employee?

The following gifts are prohibited:

underwear, clothing;
decorations and jewelry;
shoes.

The employee will not be happy with gifts that hint at any of her shortcomings, for example, a slimming belt, a gym membership, acne cream or for problem skin. The exception is that perhaps the woman herself asked for such a gift.

Choosing gifts for women is always a little more difficult than for men. The task becomes much more complicated if we are talking about an employee with whom colleagues are not familiar enough or do not know her at all. You should not give useless and uninteresting things. If you can’t choose something worthwhile, it’s better to donate money.