Ideas for Your Work Gift Exchange

Beverages

Wines, beer and other unique beverages make great ideas for a gift exchange.  You can even find specialized gift cards or gift certificates for wine and spirits for the coworkers who love to sample diverse beverages.

Food and snacks

Snack boxes, gift baskets with food items, candies and other snacks and treats make thoughtful presents for a workplace Secret Santa. Try to find out as much as you can about your recipient's preferences and favorite snack items to choose delicious and unique items for your gift exchange.

Office accessories

Decorative bulletin boards, pushpins, computer stands, desktop organizers, unique pens and pencils and other office accessories make excellent gift exchange ideas because they're affordable and highly useful. 

Mugs and cups

Coffee cups and mugs make easy and affordable presents for a work gift exchange.  You can personalize many coffee mugs, and if you have a coworker who likes to bring their coffee with them, travel mugs make more great options. 

Gift cards

Gift cards are great last-minute gift exchange ideas for work. You can opt for a universal gift card, like a Visa or MasterCard, or you can find a gift card for something specific. Consider gift cards for restaurants and things like Amazon, Apple and other specific uses that your coworkers will appreciate.

Planners and calendars

Desktop calendars, planners and agendas make great ideas for the coworker who likes to stay organized.  Consider yearly bullet planners where your coworker can keep track of their to-do lists, urgent tasks, personal interests and work agenda.

Holiday socks

Holiday-themed socks and slippers are more great ideas for giving gifts in the office.  Consider eccentric and whimsical patterns, pictures and colors for a wacky and fun way to celebrate your workplace gift exchange.

Home goods

Home decor items also make thoughtful gifts to give in an office gift exchange.  Trinket boxes, small dishes, hand towels and other home decor items would be perfect for your coworkers who love these types of accessories.

Humorous gifts

Gag gifts make fun and humorous ideas for a work gift exchange.  Things like humorous quotes on mugs, mousepads and notepads are fun gifts that can work in a White Elephant type of office gift exchange, where everyone gives a present that is funny (yet appropriate) in nature.

Books

Books also make great gifts. For instance, choose books that are related to your recipient's interests, like technology, business, self-development and other topics they'd like to read about.

Holiday-themed gifts

If you're still uncertain about what to get for a holiday gift exchange at work, consider seasonal or holiday-themed gifts. For instance, holiday-themed notebooks, pencils and pens, office gear, small clothing items and other seasonal items are great for last-minute gift exchange ideas.

Notebooks and journals

Notebooks, diaries and journals are more ideas that can suit any coworker. Bullet journals, journaling accessories (like stickers and stencils) and other related items are useful, and you can find many items that will fit your coworker's personality and style.

Baked goods

Similar to a charity exchange, a cookie swap or gift exchange with only baked goods would make a great way to celebrate the holidays. In this type of gift exchange, everyone would choose a name similar to a Secret Santa, but instead of buying gifts, you would bake your recipient's favorite treats.

Scented candles

Scents like candles and incense make wonderful presents to the coworkers who love accessories for aromatherapy.  You can find natural soy and beeswax candles, handmade incense and other aromatherapy items across many different online stores.

Bath and beauty

For a spa-like gift idea, consider things like organic and handmade soaps and lotions, body scrubs, bath bombs, shower gel and other unique bath and beauty items.  These types of ideas are great for a coworker who loves to unwind in a relaxing bath at the end of a long week.

Tabletop games

Desktop games and entertainment gadgets make good gifts in the workplace, too.  Card games, jigsaw puzzles, miniature tabletop golf or ski ball and other fun accessories are just a few types of things to consider giving in a workplace gift exchange.

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