How to Give Thoughtful Christmas Gifts to Your Coworkers
A symbolic gift for a coworker is a great way to maintain a friendly atmosphere at work. Such a gift doesn’t require reciprocation and adds a festive touch.
In this article, we'll explore how to choose a Christmas gift for a coworker and present it tactfully and amiably.
What is a Symbolic Gift
A symbolic gift is a sign of attention and respect. Its value is not in the cost, but in the emotions it evokes. The main goal of such a small gift is to delight the person and show they are thought of.
This gesture is appropriate when you want to thank a coworker for their help or congratulate them while maintaining professional boundaries.
A symbolic gift typically includes items that meet these criteria:
- Suitable for men and women of any age
- Affordable, typically priced between $5 and $20
- Is work-appropriate to avoid misunderstandings or ambiguity
- Compact for easy storage in the office or at home
- Requires no special storage conditions, unlike fresh flowers or perishable items
Examples of Great Gifts
There are many universal options for a symbolic gift. To make it easier to navigate, we've gathered the most popular solutions and categorized them.
Edible Gifts
This is a great choice if you're unsure about a coworker's preferences. It's hard to go wrong with delicious treats — quality sweets can bring joy to almost anyone.
Good options include:
- A box of chocolates from well-known brands like La Maison du Chocolat, Dandelion Chocolate Factory, or Fannie May.
- A Christmas tea or coffee set in festive packaging.
- A jar of unique honey with pine nuts, sea buckthorn, or ginger.
- Cookies in a festive tin decorated with holiday scenes.
- A gift box with assorted nuts or dried fruits.
Stationery
Writing supplies, notebooks, and other stationery are always useful at work. Choose aesthetic and unique items that will brighten up the workspace.
Great choices include:
- A notebook with an interesting cover design.
- A set of colorful pens or markers.
- An unusual pencil holder.
- A beautiful planner for the new year.
- Sticky notes with fun illustrations or motivational phrases.
- An uplifting book for a cheerful mood.
Christmas Accessories
These are small souvenirs that will decorate the workspace or home. They might not serve a practical purpose but they do bring joy.
Consider items like:
- A keychain with the symbol of the upcoming year.
- A small handmade Christmas ornament.
- A calendar for the new year featuring beautiful photographs.
- A candle shaped like a Christmas tree, snowman, or other festive figure.
- A desk decoration arrangement.
- Christmas socks with a fun print.
Comfort Gifts
These items show your care for a coworker. They don't distract from work but make the workspace comfortable and cozy.
Options include:
- A small throw blanket.
- An ergonomic pillow for an office chair.
- A succulent in a decorative pot.
- A mousepad with a wrist rest.
- An aromatherapy set with essential oils.
- A heated travel mug.
Health-Beneficial Gifts
If a coworker is health-conscious or often mentions feeling tired, consider something beneficial for their well-being.
Gift ideas:
- A water bottle with motivational markings.
- A set of herbal teas for relaxation.
- Bath salts with sea minerals.
- A sugar-free fruit leather set.
- A neck pillow.
- A stress-relief ball.
Gift Certificates
A gift certificate allows the recipient to choose their gift. The key is to choose a store your coworker frequents. A universal option is a certificate for platforms like Amazon. It's non-specific and can be combined with discount codes.
Other Popular Gift Certificate Options:
- Gift certificates for beauty products and home goods from stores like Sephora.
- Certificates for popular fragrances in stores like Ulta.
- Gift vouchers for sports equipment — perfect for those who enjoy active recreation.
- Spa gift certificates for massages, facial care, or relaxation treatments.
- Gift cards for pet supplies — a delightful surprise for a colleague with a pet.
How to Present a Symbolic Gift
A grand setting isn't needed for a small surprise. Just choose the right moment.
Present Directly or Leave with a Card
Deliver the gift personally, as this comes across as sincere and friendly. This method is ideal for Christmas greetings:
- To your direct supervisor, as a sign of gratitude for their support and guidance.
- To a driver who is always courteous and on time.
- To a coworker you frequently interact with at work.
- To the IT specialist who always saves the day when something goes wrong with the tech.
When presenting in person, say a few warm words like “Happy Holidays! Have a wonderful time!” or “Merry Christmas! Wishing you positive changes ahead.”
If you prefer not to attract extra attention or feel shy about personal greetings, just leave the gift with a card on the desk. Write warm wishes such as “Happy Holidays! Wishing you happiness and health to you and your loved ones” and sign your name as the surprise giver.
Play Secret Santa
Host a traditional gift exchange at the office and play Secret Santa. Here, the focus is not on the price but on the attention, making symbolic gifts especially fitting. This way, everyone gets a small, pleasant surprise without heavy expenses.
You can play Secret Santa with colleagues from different branches and even those working remotely. Automate the process through the My Santa service. Here are some benefits it offers:
- allows Secret Santas to ask the recipient questions anonymously,
- permits the creation of wishlists,
- organizes the draw so no one picks themselves,
- helps the organizer track the progress of all participants and send reminders when it's time to buy the gift.
Use Simple Packaging
A symbolic gift doesn’t require fancy wrapping. Forget elaborate ribbons and expensive materials; the packaging should be beautiful and neat.
Suitable packaging options include:
- Kraft paper with a bright ribbon.
- A simple gift bag with a holiday design.
- A box decorated with stickers or drawings.
- A fabric pouch with drawstrings.
Add a small sprig of pine or fir to the package to add a festive feel.
Timing and Location for Giving
It’s best to give the gift during the last workweek before the holidays when the office is already filled with Christmas spirit.
Best times include:
- After work when a coworker is heading home.
- During lunch break in an informal setting.
- At a corporate party or Christmas tea gathering.
- In the morning before work starts, to elevate the mood for the day.
Ensure the gift is given without making a scene to avoid embarrassing the coworker and drawing unnecessary attention. Choose a place without many onlookers, such as a break room or private office.
Conclusion
A symbolic gift for a coworker is an inexpensive yet meaningful token of attention. When choosing, ask yourself, "Would I be happy to receive this gift?" Simple packaging and correctly timed and located presentation can turn a small surprise into a memorable event that your coworker will appreciate with gratitude.
Present the gift personally with warm wishes or participate in Secret Santa for a touch of surprise.
