Co Worker Gift
So you've been tasked with getting a co-worker a gift. Either you've taken this burden upon yourself or been assigned it by somebody; perhaps it's for a birthday, or Secret Santa, or just as a nice gesture for the hard work they've done.
Good for you regardless of the path you're on. Giving gifts is a nice way to foster goodwill around the office - that is, as long as you get your co-worker something they not only like, but something that won't disrupt the office in any way. This list of criteria is small, but it actually restricts your options quite a bit.
Here are a few gift ideas that should appeal to most co-workers and not offend anyone else in the process.
- New coffee mugs. The majority of office workers out there drink coffee on a regular basis, and those mugs start to get pretty grungy after a while. Find out if there's anything they like in particular - like, say, a sports team or a comic strip or something - and get them a mug with that thing branded on it. Chances are extremely good you'll receive an authentic thank-you in exchange for your thoughtful gift.
- Gift baskets. Man, these things save the day nicely. Again, get a general idea of their tastes. Do they like sweets? Then buy them a gift basket chalk-full of chocolates and candies and other such goodies. Gift baskets are great because they look impressive and contain a nice mixture of items, a few of which at least are sure to please the recipient.
- Books or movies. If you know the person's tastes in fiction then a book or DVD is never a bad idea. You'll probably have to spend some time getting to know them at the lunch table to find out what they like, but it shouldn't take more than a few minutes for them to open up with a few juicy items.
-Depending on where you work, a USB stick. If your co-worker uses a computer the chances they use a USB stick are pretty high, and as big as they sound at first they fill up fast. They're pretty cheap these days, too, so swing down to a computer store and pick a few gigabytes up. Even if the co-worker doesn't need them right away, chances are good they will eventually, and then they really will thank you.
- Gift certificates. These may be a little impersonal for family, but they're great for co-workers. Find out where they shop regularly and snag a certificate for them for $20 or $30 and set them loose to spend whatever they like on whatever catches their fancy.
As with any other gift, co-worker presents rely on knowledge of the person's personality. Get them something quiet that they can enjoy at home or employ in a suitable manner in the office and you're sure to win. And whatever you do, don't buy joke gifts - even if they do go over well, which they usually don't, the co-worker will torture everyone else in the office with it.
