Top 6 Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Coworkers (Make Their Day)

A good chunk of your life is usually spent at work with your coworkers. You are with them for hours every week and probably even go out for dinner or drinks after work sometimes. It may all start as work-related conversations, but soon your coworkers turn into some of the best friends ever. You should commemorate this bond with a special gift for your favorite colleague. 

However, it can be challenging to choose the right gift for them, to find something they would love. That is why we have curated a list of 6 inexpensive gift ideas for coworkers. 

No two people are the same, that is we made sure to add enough items so you can find something that you are sure your colleague would like and even appreciate you for!

1. Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Coworkers For the Self-Care Enthusiast

Self-care is a topic that is gaining a lot of popularity these days. Everyone regardless of their gender, wants to dabble in the world of self-care. Gifts that allow your coworkers to feel relaxed and better about themselves are always a hit. The self-care enthusiasts would love gifts such as bath bombs set, luxurious hand creams, or a diffuser with essential oils. Here are some ideas:

Soothing Bath Bombs Set

A set of soothing bath bombs can be an exciting gift to receive. Taking a bath is always relaxing after a long and tiring day at work. The only thing that would make this better is dropping a soothing bath bomb into the tub while you soak the stress from the entire day away.

 This gift can help your colleagues relax and they will appreciate it.

Luxurious Hand Cream Trio

Hand cream is your best friend during seasons and climates that promote dry skin. Hence this is a gift that is going to see more practical use instead of just collecting dust on the shelf. High-quality hand creams can make the skin care experience feel more luxurious. 

The combination of luxury, appeal, and course utility, makes this gift an appreciated and thoughtful choice. 

Eye Mask and Sleep Soother Set

Working all day and then going home just to eat, sleep, and repeat over long periods can be stressful for the body. It can easily cause a person to exhaust themselves and burn out. An eye mask and a sleep-soother set ensure that you get a restful sleep so when you go back to the office you are not that tired. 

It is a great gift to consider for your colleagues. 

Diffuser with Essential Oil Sampler

Diffusers are great when you attach relaxing aromas to them. This makes essential oils a great combo for diffusers. Essential oils can be expensive so getting a sampler works just fine. Diffusers also provide relief for people who suffer from breathing problems. This is a great gift that is going to keep your colleague’s home purified!

Stress Ball Set (Fun Shapes)

The work environment can often become stressful due to heavy workloads and long working hours. Stress balls are an amazing way to relieve stress from work. Get your coworker a set of stress balls in fun shapes and sizes so they can relieve their stress.

 This gift also goes to show that you acknowledge their hard work and want to help them not burn out due to stress. 

Journal with Inspirational Quotes

Journaling is a fun stress relief method. Writing down your daily tasks and goals while checking each of them out throughout the day can make work seem less stressful.

Some journals come with inspirational quotes on different pages so you can stay motivated as you finish your daily tasks. Keep your coworkers motivated by getting them a journal with inspirational quotes. 

2. Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Coworkers For the Foodie Friend

We all have that one friend who loves to eat or even just snack on something at all times. Given how stressful the work environment is, we don’t blame snack lovers for wanting to snack at work.

If that reminds you of your colleague then here are some great gift ideas for your Muslim or Non-Muslim friend. They may like a pack of gourmet popcorn samplers, a coffee sampler with different flavors, or a selection of exotic tea!

Gourmet Popcorn Sampler Pack

One of the best snacks out there has to be popcorn. They are light, easy to carry, and delicious to munch on. Gourmet popcorn is an even better snack. It is tasty and just satisfying for the tummy. If you have a coworker who loves snacking on popcorn, this gift will make them happiest.

 You can even get sampler packs so they can try different ones out to choose the one they like the most. 

Mini Coffee Sampler with Flavors

Most office workers become addicted to caffeine. We don’t blame them given how long and hard they work. A good cup of coffee helps them wake up in the morning and get on with their day. If your coworker is a coffee enthusiast get mini coffee samplers that come with flavors. They are going to appreciate your gift every time they have their morning coffee. 

Exotic Tea Selection

Not everyone is a fan of the harshness and kick that you get from coffee early in the morning. Some people prefer a relaxing and soothing cup of tea to wake up to. For those people, you can consider getting an exotic tea selection. Make your colleague’s morning fun and exciting by giving them a selection of different types of tea to try out every morning.

Reusable Snack Bags

Carrying snacks with you every day can make your stock of snack bags run out quickly and you will need to get new ones. If you know that your colleague loves to bring their snacks into the office every day then getting them some reusable snack bags is a great idea. This way they get to enjoy their snacks and take the bag home to pack snacks for the next day. 

Hot Chocolate Mix with Marshmallows

If the weather seems to be getting a bit cold then this is one of the best gifts to go with. A hot chocolate mix with some marshmallows has to be the best form of childhood nostalgia. Your coworkers are sure to appreciate this gift after going back home on a winter night and helping themselves to a warm cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top.

Unique Spice Blend Set

Most foodies love to spend time in the kitchen and cook new recipes to try out. If this is something that your colleague does as well then get them a unique spice blend set. They are going to love you for this one and you will most likely be setting yourself up to get some delicious lunch at work for a few days as well. 

3. Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Coworkers For the Comfort Seeker

Everyone just wants to jump on their beds and let all the stress lose after coming back from work. Being relaxed and comfortable is the only thing that matters when you have had a hard day. The comfort-seeking friends are going to love gifts like a throw blanket, fuzzy socks, or scented candles. However, we have a bunch of other ideas for you to look into so keep on reading!

Fuzzy Socks with Fun Designs

What’s better than to put on a pair of comfortable fuzzy socks on a cold winter night? Yes, the only thing that makes it better is fuzzy socks with fun designs on them! Get some fuzzy socks that have cute and fun designs on them for your coworkers so they can feel your appreciation and the warmth of your affection for them.

Travel Mug with Inspirational Saying

Many people are starting to collect mugs that have funny designs or come with some sort of saying on them. A travel mug with an inspirational saying can be the perfect gift if your coworker likes to collect mugs as well.

Not only is this a great addition to their collection but it can also bring a smile to their face every morning when they wake up and take the mug to drink coffee or tea. It can be a good option for thanksgiving gift ideas for co-workers also.

Plush Throw Blanket (Microfiber)

Being able to cuddle with a warm and comfy throw blanket after a tiring day is one of the best feelings ever. It becomes even better if the throw blanket is made out of microfiber material. Getting this for your colleague during the chilly winter months can make them grateful to have you as their friend. 

Mini Zen Garden Kit for Desk

A mini Zen garden kit that can be put on the desk is a very relaxing and comforting gift item. It is very practical since your coworker can either decorate it at home or even set it up to the side of their work desk. This way they can choose to be relaxed at work or just go back home to their calming and comforting zen garden set. 

Cute Planter with Succulent

Office workers usually do not have a lot of time on their hands to properly take care of plants even if they want to have a few at home. This is why succulents are great. They are very low maintenance and are the perfect choice for plant lovers with busy schedules. This is a long-lasting gift that also works great as a decorative item for your coworker’s home. 

Scented Candle with Relaxing Aroma

One of the best comforting gifts ever has to be scented candles. They are loved by everyone and the ones that come with relaxing aromas can help you just calm down and unwind after finally coming back home from work. Getting this for your coworkers means they can not only relax but also, have a night of good sleep from the comforting dim candlelight.

4. Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Coworkers For a Touch of Fun at Work

Work does not always need to be boring and full of stress. With the right people, you can make your time at work is quite fun and entertaining regardless of how much work you are slumped with. Funny coffee mug with a witty saying, mini desk vacuum cleaner, or a stress relief fidget toy are all great options, but here are all the gift ideas we have that can add a touch of fun at work.

Funny Coffee Mug with Witty Saying

Coffee mugs don’t always need to have some inspirational or affectionate quote on them to be a good gift. If you have a witty and humorous friendship with your coworker then try going for something that makes them laugh thinking of you every morning they wake up for coffee. A funny coffee mug with a witty saying can be a great decorative item as well as a practical gift. 

Customizable Desk Organizer

With all the heavy workload in the office, your office desk is sure to end up cluttered and messy by the end of the day. The best way to solve this is by getting a desk organizer that helps you keep everything in order and make sure your desk stays clean even when you are clocking out of work. A desk organizer is a very practical gift that your coworker is sure to appreciate a lot.

A Mini Desk Vacuum Cleaner

If you’re snacking on your desk during office hours you are sure to get crumbs all over your desk and your keyboard. The best way to clean the mess you made while eating is with a mini desk vacuum cleaner. These things can suck up all the little crumbs and dirt from your desk and make you look like the cleanest employee ever! This a gift that every office worker would love to own.

Stress Relief Fidget Toy

We already mentioned that work can sometimes be really stressful and stress balls are great to help you calm down a little in a hectic environment. However, stress relief fidget toys, while a bit more pricey, can be a more fun way to relieve stress. Get this for your colleagues and they are sure to have it on them at all times. 

Desktop Fortune Cookie Dispenser

Fortune cookies are always fun to get. There is just this excitement that you get before you crack open a fortune cookie to see your fortune. If you get your coworkers a desktop fortune cookie dispenser to put up on their desks it will be a great decorative addition to their desks and also a really fun way to see their daily fortune before starting work. 

Sticky Note Pad Set (Fun Designs)

Sticky notepads are helpful when you want to stay organized and make sure you do not miss any important meetings or deadlines. They are practical and they keep your work more efficient. Regular sticky note pads are however quite boring. If you want to be the fun coworker then get sticky notes that are shaped in fun designs so you can make your colleagues appreciate you more. 

5. Practical and Useful Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Coworkers

Some people appreciate gifts that are more practical and useful for their everyday lives. The following gift ideas that we have listed here offer exactly that. If your coworker prefers to own practical items that help them through their day then you can look into blue light glasses or a portable charger since they offer lots of benefits for someone who works in front of a computer for long hours. Here are all the ideas for practical gifts for your colleague:

Portable Phone Charge with Cable

Spending long hours in the office is not just exhausting and tiring on your body, but also on your phone. You will be going in and out of your phone through different times of the day and your battery will be drained quite a bit, if not dead, by the end of the day. Portable chargers are the solution to that problem. Giving your coworker a portable charger will help them make sure their phone is always juiced up no matter how long they scroll through social media. 

Stylish Notebook and Pen Set

As you grow old you understand that pens are actually pretty cool and there are some very fancy ones out there too. This is more true for office workers who always have to carry a pen on them. Give your coworkers a stylish notebook with a pen set that they can use to note down important information and project details. They will love this gift because it will help them stay organized. 

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Spending hours on end staring at a computer screen puts a lot of strain on your eyes and can easily be the cause of headaches or migraines. Blue light glasses are designed to prevent harmful and damaging light from screens from affecting your eyes. If your coworker complains about headaches due to using the computer for too long then this is a gift they would love. 

Collapsible Water Bottle

Hydration is necessary no matter what. Especially when you are working for hours you need to ensure that your body gets enough water.

Carrying a water bottle is great but it can easily become a chore when the water bottle is empty and you’re still having to tug it around in your bag. Collapsible water bottles can be tucked away once you’re done and they are one of the most practical gift items to consider for your colleague.

Hand Sanitizer Spray with Holder

When working inside of an office you interact with many different people and have to carry a bunch of different things. These situations can get all kinds of germs and bacteria on your hands.

A hand sanitizer spray helps you stay clean and it gets rid of all the germs for you. It becomes an even better gift for your coworker if you buy it with a holder to put on their desk for daily use.

Headphone Holder for Desk

Imagine carrying your headphones to the office and losing them in the mess of your desk. It is bothersome to keep looking for them all the time.

You might even panic at times thinking you lost them. If your coworker carries headphones then go for a headphone holder for the desk. This gift is very practical and your coworker will love having a dedicated spot for their headphones.

6. Gestures of Appreciation Gift Ideas for Coworkers

When you just want to show your appreciation for your coworkers or colleagues but do not want something too over the top, it can be hard to find options.

But have no worries because we have put together a list of the best gifts that show your gesture of appreciation for your colleague. Whether it’s a box of gourmet chocolates or a desk calendar, you are sure to find something for your coworker.

Box of Gourmet Chocolates

We all love chocolates and they are the best thing that has ever existed. To show your appreciation for the hard work and dedication of your colleague you could consider giving them a box of gourmet chocolates. They are just the yummiest snacks. Keep in mind people have different tastes when it comes to chocolates so ask them what type they like first. 

Personalized Candy Bar with Message

If you did not know this already, yes, candy bars can be customized to look like whatever shape or size you desire them to be. Moreover, you can also put a message on them directly to show that you acknowledge all the hard work of your colleagues. They will feel your appreciation while eating your words of gratitude and filling up their tummy.

Highlighter Set with Fun Colors

Gifts that show appreciation are also allowed to be practical. Highlighters are a necessity when you work in an office. You are always having to highlight important details in different documents so you always need them. Get your coworkers a set of highlighters in some fun colors that they wouldn’t usually buy but would secretly want. This will make highlighting more fun for them!

Customizable Desk Calendar

Sticky notepads and journals are not the only thing that helps you stay organized. You also need a desk calendar to jot down all the important days of the month.

If you notice that your coworker is using the same old boring desk calendar then replace it with a fun little customized desk calendar. It is more personal that way and they’re going to use it throughout the year.

Funny Pen with Punny Saying

Do you see your colleague carrying around a basic and boring pen at all times? Well, you can change it for them and get them a funny pen that has a funny saying written on it. This way every time they are signing important papers or jotting down information, they are sure to at least chuckle when they read the pun on the pen.

Succulent Seed Starting Kit

A succulent is a plant that symbolizes adaptability, resilience, and endurance. Therefore making a succulent seed starting kit a very meaningful gift for someone.

Your affection and appreciation for your coworker will be best expressed with this gift. Moreover, we already discussed how great succulent plants are for office workers since these plants require very little maintenance.

In my personal opinion, all the gifts that we have put together on this list are great for your coworkers and colleagues.

However, I have a few personal favorites that I would choose for my coworkers to show my appreciation for them. My personal favorites are listed below!

• Exotic Tea Selection: This gift is very friendly and shows that you appreciate the other person very well. It is not too over the top and is best for the tea lovers out there.

• Stylish Notebook and Pen Set: This gift is in general one of the best gifts for any office worker and they will all appreciate this gift. It is very formal and practical at the same time.

• Funny Coffee Mug with Witty Saying: I would choose this gift for my coworkers whom  I have a close relationship with. Sharing the same humor with another person can be very fun and this gift expresses both the humor and appreciation towards your colleague.

When you are trying to find the right gift for your colleagues or coworkers something that you will find really helpful to keep in mind is their interests. If you are not entirely sure then try asking them about their hobbies, and what they like to do in their spare time, or take a look at their office desk and see if they could make use of a practical gift for their desk.

What makes a gift better is not the price tag on it, it’s really more about the thought that you put behind it. That’s what makes a gift feel special.

Creating a list of safety-focused gift ideas for coworkers in high-risk professions like firefighters and flight attendants is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for their dedication to keeping others safe.

Conclusion

Gifts do not always have to be extravagant and worth ridiculous amounts of money. As long as you can express your appreciation and gratitude for the other person with your gift, that is all that matters. Your coworkers are people who know you very well given how much time you spend together every day in and out of the office.

Giving them a proper gift that they will love and use can be challenging to find. That’s why we hope you got some great gift ideas from this list and were able to find something for your favorite colleague.

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