Holidays & Entertaining Gift Guide 2023: 101+ Best Gift Ideas The 53 Best Gifts for Coworkers and Employees of 2023 We found the very best gifts under $50 for everyone on your team, including the boss, direct report, and intern. By Lesley Chen Lesley Chen Lesley Chen is a San Francisco-based freelance writer who covers shopping, home, tech, health, and general lifestyle topics for various websites.Highlights *Her work has appeared on SFGate, Well + Good, BuzzFeed, Byrdie, and PureWow. *She has a BA in economics and psychology from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Melanie Fincher Melanie Fincher Melanie Fincher is the associate commerce editor for Real Simple and has over three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. She was the former SEO writer for Allrecipes, covering product reviews, cooking tutorials, and food news. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 25, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Reviews FAQs Take Our Word for It We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Amazon You probably spend a good deal of time with your coworkers, and it’s a good idea to show your appreciation for all their hard work by giving them a gift at the end of the year. Buying gifts for your coworkers and employees may seem more challenging than buying them for your friends, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for coworkers. “You want to avoid gifts that are too personal in nature,” says Dan Post, author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette Podcast. Examples include clothing like blouses and pajamas; scents like perfumes and colognes, which can be very personal; or humorous items, because not everyone has the same sense of humor. “You don’t want to rely on other people getting your joke in order for a gift to land well,” says Post. That doesn’t mean you have to stick with very boring office items, like paperweights, either. You can be professional and pick something you know your coworker likes, like high quality sweets and food, a favorite type of pen or notebook the office doesn’t stock, or something that ties into their hobbies. “Gift giving is something people feel strongly about,” says Post. “It makes people feel good, but also brings people anxiety, so you should take care with it.” The best adage to follow is a classic one: It’s the thought that counts. We did the hard work for you and found the best gifts for coworkers and employees that strike the right balance between professional and thoughtful. Leatherology Modern Mouse Pad Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Leatherology.com A mouse pad is an office essential, and this sleek, full-grain leather mouse pad is sure to elevate their workstation—whether it’s at home, in a coffee shop, or in the office. You can even pay a bit extra to have it monogrammed, making each mousepad unique to the employee or coworker you’re gifting it to. Price at time of publish: $50 Huanuo Lap Desk With Support Cushion Amazon View On Amazon Treat your work-from-home colleagues to this lap desk that will prop their laptop at an angle, so they can work comfortably from their couch (or bed, no judgment). It features a wrist pad, a lap cushion, a device holder, and a storage pocket Price at time of publish: $46 Mütesync Video Conference Mute Button Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Uncommon Goods We could all use a little extra reassurance that we are, in fact, on mute during our video conference calls. Thanks to Mütesync, the search for the mute button is over. Using the Mütesync mute button, you can toggle between mute and unmute using a physical key—even if the video call is minimized— and the light will indicate when you’re set to mute (and when you’re not). It’s the perfect gift for your remote coworkers, and you just may be tempted to grab a second for yourself, too. Price at time of publish: $49 La Chatelaine Shea Butter Hand Cream Trio View On Amazon A quality hand cream is another desk essential, especially during the winter months. This luxury hand cream trio comes in a variety of different scent combinations, including the seasonal Winter White set, which includes Amber Cashmere, Coconut Milk, and Lychee Bilberry hand creams, all packaged in a giftable tin. Price at time of publish: $27 Savannah Bee Company Winter White Honey Amazon View On Amazon View On Savannahbee.com From the world-famous makers at Savannah Bee Company, this seasonal honey is the perfect gift for your foodie coworker. The honey is harvested just before snowfall in the mountains of Montana and features a creamy flavor that’s rich enough to be used in place of frosting on holiday baked goods. Price at time of publish: From $7 Bean Box Coffeegram Holiday Stocking Stuffer Courtesy by Bean Box View On Beanbox.com Purchase this 8-pack of expertly-curated holiday coffees and you’ll be able to check off eight lucky recipients in one. Each pack includes tasting notes and brew instructions and is pre-measured to brew a full pot of coffee (four to six mugs). Price at time of publish: $42 for 8-pack Amusend Mini Cactus Humidifier Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon This miniature humidifier is so easy to carry and power—simply connect it to a laptop, car charger, or any other USB outlet, and the cool mist will disperse to help them breathe easier during the dry winter months. It’s small enough to keep on a desk, and the silicone cactus design is sure to bring a smile to their face. Price at time of publish: $14 Padding Paws Engraved Ballpoint Pen Etsy View On Etsy They’ll think of you each time they reach for this laser-engraved ballpoint pen that can be personalized with any name, logo, or slogan up to 20 characters. Choose between several color and font options to tailor each pen to the recipient’s personal style. Price at time of publish: $15 MoMA Pear Pod Multifunctional Desktop Organizer Courtesy by Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Moma.org Style and function intersect in this desk organizer from the MoMA Design Store. The “Pear Pod” is by far the most adorable way to store office essentials, including pens, paperclips, sticky notes, and more. Price at time of publish: $28 Lands’ End Natural Open Top Canvas Tote Bag Courtesy by Lands end View On Amazon View On Landsend.com Lands’ End’s iconic canvas tote is the ultimate carry-all for any occasion. It’s built to stand the test of time, thanks to the durable cotton canvas and reinforced bottom and handles (it’s been tested to hold up to 500 pounds without breaking). Choose between a number of size and color options, and for a personal touch, you can even have it monogrammed. Price at time of publish: From $35 Sugarwish Holiday Cheers Gift Courtesy by Sugarwish View On Sugarwish.com Not sure what your coworker likes? With Sugarwish, you can instantly send the recipient a link to choose specific treats they want delivered to their home—all you have to do is choose which size treat box you want to give them. From candies, cookies, and popcorn to coffee, tea, and hot cocoa, they’re sure to find exactly what they want. Price at time of publish: From $34 Jiggy Tinsel Time by Ana Hard Puzzle Courtesy by JIGGY View On Amazon View On Jiggypuzzles.com This 450-piece puzzle comes in a reusable glass jar and includes a tube of puzzle glue and a straight edge tool, so they can put their hard work on permanent display. Designed by artist Ana Hard, it comes with a festive Christmas tree design. Price at time of publish: $40 Pico Indoor Gardening Kit Amazon View On Amazon View On Uncommon Goods Unless you have a desk by a window, trying to grow plants under the fluorescent lighting of an office can be difficult. Fortunately, this Pico indoor plant pod comes with LED grow lights for year-round growth. And it’s complete with a self-watering system that can store water for up to 10 days—long enough to survive an extended vacation period. Price at time of publish: $49 Jacobsen Salt Co. Salty Caramel Duo Courtesy by JACOBSEN salt View On Jacobsensalt.com Made with salt harvested from the pristine waters of the Oregon coast, Jacobsen’s caramels are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Gift both the classic caramels and chocolate caramels together, or break them up to give to two different people. Price at time of publish: $22 Ginger Fox Office Yoga Mug Courtesy by Goodly View On Goodlyshop.com Decorated with yoga poses like “salute to the server” and “printer warrior 2,” this office yoga mug is sure to be proudly displayed on any desk. And it comes pre-packaged in a gift box to make your life easier. Price at time of publish: $17 Rifle Paper Co. Push Pin Set Courtesy by Rifle paper co. View On Papersource.com View On Riflepaperco.com Elevate their essentials with these “Garden Party” push pins stored in a matching tin box. It’s perfect for adding a little color to a drab desk or sprucing up an inspiration board. Price at time of publish: $18 Bestinnkits Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart How many times have you poured a cup of hot coffee in the morning, only to have it languish on your desk while you take meeting after meeting? This desktop warmer will keep their favorite drink at a toasty, but drinkable, temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit. Price at time of publish: $30 w&p Porter Water Bottle 4.3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Wandp.com Coworkers don’t let coworkers get dehydrated. This stylish water glass bottle holds 20 ounces of liquid and is slim enough to commute with. It makes a great travel companion, too. Price at time of publish: $30 Seattle Chocolate A Merry Little Gift Set Seattle Chocolate View On Seattlechocolate.com This curated gift set from the candy makers at women-owned Seattle Chocolate features a selection of holiday-inspired treats, including a Toffee Sea Salt truffle bar, a Hot Buttered Rum truffle bar, a Candy Cane truffle bar, Candy Cane chocolate truffles, and more. The care package comes in a beautifully illustrated box and can be shipped directly to their door. Price at time of publish: $35 DavidsTea Holiday Teas Variety Pack Courtesy by Davids Tea View On Davidstea.com Tea drinkers will want to cozy up with a cup of any one of these decadent holiday blends that range from chocolaty to fruity to spicy. The set comes with three sachets of each of the following flavors: Caramel Shortbread, Hazelnut Chocolate, Organic Orange Spice, and Sleigh Ride. Price at time of publish: $12 Aromatique The Smell of Christmas Gilded Ornament Candle Courtesy by macys View On Aromatique.com View On Dillards.com View On Macy's The family-owned and female-founded candle brand Aromatique is celebrating its 40th anniversary with this limited-edition “Gilded Collection,” featuring glitzy, gold-finished statement candles that double as stand-out decor pieces. The Smell of Christmas fragrance is a warm blend of citrus, spice, and natural botanicals. Each of Aromatique’s candles are hand-poured in Arkansas using ethically sourced materials. Price at time of publish: $28 The 47 Best Gifts for Sisters of 2023 Keyaiira Custom Leather Cable Organizer Courtesy by Etsy View On Amazon View On Etsy Help them keep cord clutter at bay with these leather cable ties available in a variety of colors and personalization options. The ties can even be purchased as a set, should you choose to give them to multiple people around the office. Price at time of publish: From $14 Magnolia Bakery Best of Magnolia Bakery Small Sampler Pack 4.2 Magnolia Bakery View On Magnoliabakery.com The NYC-based Magnolia Bakery has garnered national attention for its decadent desserts, the most famous being the banana pudding and the cupcakes. If you can’t decide between these two legendary desserts, this variety pack comes with two banana pudding cups and two cupcakes. Plus, it can be delivered nationwide. Price at time of publish: $45 The 57 Best White Elephant Gifts of 2023 That Everyone Will Actually Want Uncommon Goods Custom Typewritten Note Candle Courtesy by Uncommon goods View On Uncommon Goods Add your own personal sentiments, such as an encouraging quote or a company motto, to these hand-poured candles. Choose between one of four relaxing fragrances, such as The Gift of Clarity, a blend of peppermint, spearmint, and vanilla, or The Gift of Rest, a mix of lavender and eucalyptus. Price at time of publish: $36 Musee Words of Encouragement Soap Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Museebath.com These jumbo soap bars feature encouraging words such as “hope,” “peace,” and “joy,”—and they made Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2022. All of the soaps are handcrafted in Mississippi using ethically-sourced, natural ingredients. What’s more is that you’ll be supporting a woman-owned business that hires women in recovery, people with disabilities, and those who have lived in chronic poverty. You can gift the entire set of six or break it up into six different gifts. Price at time of publish: $45 The 75 Very Best Gifts for Women of 2023 Emmy + Olly 2023 Desk Calendar Emmy + Olly View On Emmyandolly.com View On Etsy This desk calendar doubles as a piece of artwork, thanks to the hand-designed watercolor painting that’s unique to each month. It can be purchased with or without the wooden stand, so they can display it however they choose. Price at time of publish: From $24 Fortune & Frame Classic Fortune Frame Courtesy by Fortune and frame View On Fortuneandframe.com Fortune & Frame’s 14K gold-plated brass lockets can hold any message of your choosing, whether it be a company mission statement, an inspiring quote, or words of appreciation. The frame comes with a three-use easel so the words can be displayed on any desk, wall, or fridge. Price at time of publish: $38 Harry & David Thanks a Bunch Treats Tin Courtesy by Harry and David View On Cheryls.com View On Harry & David Why settle on just one gift when you can give a whole basket? No matter what your coworker likes, whether it’s wine, sweets, savory snacks, fruit, or all of the above, there’s a Harry & David gift basket that can make their day more special. In particular, we recommend the Thanks a Bunch Treats Tin, an affordable option that includes a variety of cookies and pretzel clusters. Price at time of publish: $30 Vintorio GoodGlassware Wine Decanter 4.5 Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon After a long work week (or day), there’s nothing like enjoying a nice glass of wine. Make sure they get the most out of every sip with this wine decanter that will aerate any bottle of wine. Price at time of publish: $21 Apple MagSafe Charger 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Other than spotty WiFi, one of the most frustrating things at work is having your devices run out of battery. This charger can keep mobile devices powered up, and best of all, you can set it and forget it—there are no wires to get tangled up. Price at time of publish: $39 Lula’s Garden Thank You Glow Garden Courtesy by Lula's garden View On Lulasgarden.com Brighten up any desk with this small succulent. It’s cheerful, quiet, and low maintenance (it requires minimal watering), making it an ideal work companion. Plus, it comes inside a cute “thank you” box! Price at time of publish: $34 Godly Gorgeous Daily Planner Pad Courtesy by Etsy View On Etsy Help a coworker organize their to-do list with this cute notepad that sorts tasks by top priority, later, and tomorrow. All after coffee, of course. Price at time of publish: $14 Williams Sonoma Gold Monogram Mug Courtesy by Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma Everyone has a favorite mug at home or work, and this monogrammed one will soon become your coworker’s. It’s made of clean, white porcelain, and has a hand-applied real gold letter that will help it stand out from the crowd. Price at time of publish: $15 Mouth Tasty Thank You Gift Box Mouth View On Mouth Give a coworker a little energy boost during that afternoon slump with a tasty snack box. This one from Mouth includes chocolate sables, white cheddar popcorn, sweet potato chips, salt and pepper pistachios, and vegan cheddar crackers, all of which are sure to be crowd-pleasers. Price at time of publish: $48 Nordstrom Bliss Plush Throw Courtesy by Nordstrom View On Nordstrom For offices (and even home offices) that have the A/C perpetually turned on arctic temperatures, this plush throw will keep your coworker warm. It has a super plush feel, and they can easily toss it into the washing machine whenever it needs a refresh. Price at time of publish: $29 Baggu Standard Reusable Shopping Bag (3-Pack) Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Baggu.com You can never have too many reusable shopping bags, and not only are these Baggu bags more eco-friendly than plastic bags, but they’re also way cuter, too. This set of three printed bags can be used to carry up to 50 pounds of stuff, and each one folds down into a tiny pouch for easy storage. Price at time of publish: $42 for 3-pack Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Say goodbye to piles of loose notes and post-its—this handy notebook is infinitely reusable. Just write and wipe, and you have a clean slate all over again. Handwritten notes can be scanned and uploaded to a number of cloud apps for safekeeping. Price at time of publish: $23 Happy Planner 2023 Work + Life Planner Courtesy by Happy planner View On JOANN View On Thehappyplanner.com Help your coworkers and staff kick off 2023 in organized fashion with this sleek and professional planner. It comes in a binder style with hard covers and features a vertical layout with weekly spreads—ideal for planning both work and life in a single space. Price at time of publish: $45 Moleskine Classic Notebook Amazon View On Amazon View On Dickblick.com Or if your coworker prefers classic notetaking, this reliable Moleskine is a great office accessory. You can choose between ruled, dotted, double layout, or plain pages to help them jot down all their meeting notes, reminders, and to-do lists. Price at time of publish: $21 DoorDash Gift Card Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Give your coworker a break from meal prepping by gifting them a DoorDash gift card, which gives them the opportunity to try a new restaurant or order their favorite meal for free. DoorDash is available in over 4,000 cities nationwide, so they’re guaranteed to have lots of options no matter where they live. Price at time of publish: From $25 Trade Coffee Gift Subscription Courtesy by Trade View On Drinktrade.com Give a coworker the gift of a long-lasting supply of fresh coffee. Trade offers bags and subscriptions of ethically sourced coffee that’s roasted locally and shipped to their door. They can choose between roast types and grind settings to enjoy the perfect brew. Price at time of publish: From $40 The 13 Best Coffee Subscriptions That Offer Must-Try Blends Every Month Sips by Appreciation Tea Gift Courtesy by Sips by View On Sipsby.com For tea-loving coworkers, this tea gift is a great way to show your appreciation. It comes with two tea blends (enough for 75 cups), plus a double-walled glass mug, 100 tea filters, and a card. If you really want to go above and beyond, you can also add a gift card. Price at time of publish: $45 Hydro Flask 24 oz. Mug Courtesy by Hydro Flask View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Abt.com Whether they prefer hot or cold drinks, this insulated Hydro Flask Mug will keep their beverages at just the right temperature. There’s also a closable lid to prevent accidental spills when they’re moving from their desk to a conference room. Price at time of publish: $33 Yamazaki Web Cable Management Box Courtesy by Madewll View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair In any workspace, once you factor in a computer, monitor, chargers, power adapters, and more—that’s a lot of cords lying around. Help organize the chaos a little with an organizer that can keep all those loose cords hidden out of sight. Price at time of publish: $40 Prowithlin Desktop Vacuum Cleaner View On Amazon Look, crumbs happen. You can help a coworker suck up some of their desktop dirt with a mini vacuum. This one is USB chargeable and comes with a brush and nozzle to fit hard-to-reach places. Price at time of publish: $16 Samsung Qi Wireless Charger and UV Sanitizer Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Quzo.net It is an understatement to say that cell phones are grimy. Help a coworker keep theirs germ-free with this small UV sanitizer that kills 99 percent of bacteria and germs. It can also be used for keys, sunglasses, earbuds, and other small frequently used valuables. Price at time of publish: $18 Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Merino Wool Felt Coasters Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Food52 View On Graflantz.com Avoid annoying wet spots or water rings on tables by using a set of coasters. These modern merino wool coasters also look nice on any surface, whether that’s an office desk or coffee table. Price at time of publish: $26 for 4-pack Minimum Design Pen Holder Vase Minimum Design View On Etsy Instead of having pens, pencils and other desk accessories strewn all over their desk, organize them in this minimalist vase. It makes a pretty statement on any desk whether it’s empty or filled with writing utensils. Price at time of publish: $21 Yeake Desktop Mirror Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon This desktop mirror is compact, swivels, and will help anybody check to make sure they’re ready for their next video call (i.e., don’t have any food stuck in their teeth). Price at time of publish: $19 Bentgo Classic All-in-One Stackable Bento Lunch Box Container Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target If your coworker always brings lunch to work or meal preps at home, this bento box set will help keep food fresh and neatly organized. It has two stackable containers and even comes with a three-piece utensil set. Price at time of publish: $30 Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Eyemask Brooklinen View On Brooklinen A good night’s sleep is key to a productive work day. Help a coworker catch some quality Zzz’s with this silk eye mask that feels cool and luxurious. Price at time of publish: $29 Nordik Leather Desk Mat Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon If you’re going to spend most of the day at a desk, you might as well make it look nice. This vegan leather mat will elevate any desk with a pop of color and a smooth surface to rest their arms on. It’s also waterproof and scratch-resistant. Price at time of publish: $25 Ban.do Feel Better De-Stress Ball Courtesy by ban.do View On Bando.com View On Hsn.com This cute foam rainbow can sit on your coworker’s desk to brighten their day. Plus, it doubles as a stress ball they can squeeze whenever they need. Price at time of publish: $9 15 Best Mindfulness Books to Help You Relax or De-stress Questions You Might Ask How much money should you spend on a gift for a coworker? Giving is personal, so how much you should spend on a gift is also subjective. “The best answer is that it should be something you feel good about spending,” says Post. “A gift exchange should make everyone feel good, and that includes the person giving the gift, and part of doing that well is knowing and understanding your budget as well as the expectations around the event or gift, and making good choices,” he says. Price aside, gifts can be too extravagant. If gifts are too expensive, they can make people feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, something handmade or personally created could feel more significant and genuine than something that costs a lot. Post recommends that as a gift giver, you can manage the way you present something to allow the other person to receive the gift well, which is more important than sticking to a specific price range. For example, if it’s something more expensive, you could say “I know this is a little more than usual, but I just really know how much you’d appreciate it.” And for something more personal, including a note or message to provide context and connection. Is it proper etiquette to buy a holiday gift for your boss? Gift giving is never an obligation, says Post. Even if half of your workers are giving your manager a gift, it doesn’t mean that you should feel like you need to. If you do choose to give a gift to a boss, “you want to be careful you’re not giving the impression that you’re trying to cultivate favor, or take advantage of a personal relationship in a way that other colleagues couldn't or wouldn’t,” says Post. A good way to handle gifts for your boss is to pool resources and do a group gift. But again, even though everyone has an option to participate, no one should feel it’s required, and you should never point out people who choose not to contribute. The reasons why people may opt out are personal and not something you need to share in the workplace, so there should be an expectation that no one would judge you about it, says Post. On the flip side, if you want to give gifts to people who report to you, Post recommends trying to do it for everybody and doing it so everyone feels equal. “You don't want to set up a situation where people feel like they’re being treated differently, and personal gifts that go to some people and not others can create that feeling,” he says. What are the occasions you should give gifts to coworkers? Post says birthdays and holidays are generally times in life where people exchange gifts, so it’s important to be aware of that, though there’s not a strong expectation that you need to give gifts to workers for either. Other occasions to consider gift giving opportunities are when people leave the team or company or retire, and then teams may get together and do something. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Lesley Chen, a freelance writer who covers shopping and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared on SFGate, Well + Good, BuzzFeed, Byrdie, and PureWow. To write this article, Lesley researched dozens of potential gift ideas, ultimately choosing the best based on price, practicality, and uniqueness. She also spoke to Dan Post, author and spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette Podcast, for expert advice on gift-giving. The 45 Best Tech Gifts of 2023 for Everyone on Your List Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit