Whether it’s for Secret Santa or a birthday, getting a gift for a colleague can be a little tricky. How much do you know them? What’s the budget? Will they even like what you get them?
All these questions are common but this article will attempt to put these fears to bed once and for all.
Here are 5 great gift ideas for colleagues that are sure to put a smile on their face and will mean you can throw away the receipts for good.
1. Custom Star Map
If you really want to surprise your colleagues with a great gift, a custom star map could be a perfect idea. This is something to really show how much you know about them, making it particularly great for those that have built long-term relationships at work.
Custom star maps show what the night sky looked like during the precise moment of your choosing. This could be something personal like their birthday or the date of their first day at the office. These maps also have the location so depending on where you set them, the arrangement of the stars will change.
If you’re interested in picking up a custom star map, you can get your hands on them over at Twinkle In Time. To give the gift more meaning, you can scribe in a message underneath the image.
There’s no doubt that this great gift for a colleague will serve as anything less than a source of inspiration. After all, there are billions and billions of stars in the universe but only one of them.
2. Personalized Notebook
During work, client meetings or company events, it’s important to bring a notebook with you to write down important information. This can be used either during the event to network or back at the office to plan further company strategy.
No matter what they are used for, the important thing is that they have a medium available to make these notes. This is where you come in.
A personalized notebook, like this one from Moleskine, makes for a great gift idea for colleagues. They can have their name inscribed into the front cover and make them totally original. Alternatively, you could get a famous quote written in so that each time they open it, the quote goes through their minds.
Not only do they look great, but when taken into a meeting, they look extremely professional and give the right message to clients that they are someone they should be doing business with.
If you draw the boss’ name for Secret Santa, this is certainly one to buy.
3. Custom T-Shirts
If you’re planning on getting clothes for your colleague, it’s best to get them something that they probably wouldn’t get for themselves. Think of it this way… you don’t want to try and get something they would and get it wrong.
Instead, get them a custom t-shirt that is based around their hobbies and interests, or even something to do with work For example, if you know your colleague has earned a nickname like ‘The Closer’ you could print this on the back of a plain white t-shirt. Not only is this a great way to build relationships but it can also be a bit of fun.
One of the best places to get custom t-shirts online is www.screenprintthis.com. They have all the tools to get you the perfect gift for your colleague. If you’re on a strict budget, you are in good hands as you can expect high-quality products for less than 20 bucks.
Apparel is always a tricky gift to get right but with the right idea and execution, you can pull it off.
4. Miniature Photo Frame
Everyone at the office loves to brighten up their desk one way or another. Some like to decorate it with tea stains, others with stacks of files and documents. There are also others that want a picture next to their monitor to look at every day.
This presents a great opportunity to get your colleague a great gift – a miniature photo frame. While they aren’t as big as those you’ll find at home, they can bring just as much happiness and joy to the room.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great photo frame; for example, there are lots on Etsy to choose from and since they are handcrafted, it will look like you’ve made a lot of effort with the gift.
From here, your colleague can do what they like with the frame; whether it’s their partner, child or dog, they can have an important part of their life with them throughout the day.
At the end of the day, when you buy a photo frame as a gift, you are giving more than just a place to put a picture; you are giving them memories.
5. Reusable Water Bottle
This makes for a fantastic gift for colleagues that you know like to stay active or spend a lot of their time at the office water fountain.
Now, at first thought, it may not make a lot of sense to have a water bottle in the office since there are plenty of mugs and glasses to keep everyone hydrated at work. However, there are some water bottles, like this one from Kool8, that may make you reconsider.
For example, this model looks amazing and it comes with insulation technology that keeps hot drinks warm and cold drinks refreshing. This means that even if your colleague loves a cup of tea or coffee in the morning, it will stay warmer for longer than compared to a standard mug.
Furthermore, if they ever need to take their drink home, they can just top up the bottle and they are on their way without risk of spillage and having the contents leak in their bag. Of course, there are plenty of other reusable water bottles to choose from but this brand offers one of the best you can buy.
