Take the awkward out of buying boss and coworker gifts for people at work with these Creative Coworker Gift Ideas!
If you have a coworker with a good sense of humor, you will also want to check out these hilarious White Elephant Gift Ideas!
Coworker Gift ideas
Need some fun and Creative Coworker Gift Ideas?
Of course you do. What is more awkward than trying to figure out what gifts to buy for that person in the next cubicle or for your boss, right?
Whether you’re looking for inexpensive thank you gifts for coworkers, homemade gifts, or just funny gift ideas, these creative gifts are perfect.
Whether for office Christmas parties, Secret Santa Gift exchanges, Christmas Gift Ideas for Colleagues, Boss Gift Ideas + more!
Let’s skip past awkward.
It’s time to get some help with these funny Secret Santa Gifts and fun Coworker Gift Ideas!
Today you’re gonna find some awesome gifts for the people you spend so much time with at work.
So let the creative gift giving begin! Whether it’s for Christmas or birthdays, these unique and thoughtful gifts are sure to bring a smile to their face!
Here’s what your Coworkers REALLY want…
Related: More Frugal Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List! (Dad, Boyfriends, Kids, Teen Girls, Teen Boys, Grandpa, Grandma, Foodies, Coffee Lovers, Dogs & more!)
Funny Gifts for Coworkers Christmas
Looking for something on the silly side?
Spread some extra Christmas cheer this year when you add a little levity to your coworker Christmas gifts.
Here are some of my favorite funny gift ideas for your coworkers and colleagues.
- Bobblehead for Desk
- Decoy Prank Box (To Hide Their Gift Inside)
- Funny Sign for Cubicle or Desk (Relax, We’re All Crazy; Employee Of The Month Parking, etc.)
- Magnetic Poetry Words (For File Cabinet)
- Personalized Photo Coffee Mug or Mouse Pad with Unusual Picture of their Desk, Office Chair, Coffee Maker or their actual Parking Spot.
- Public Toilet Survival Kit 🙂
- Stress Relief Squeeze Toy (For Stressful Days)
- Silly Saying Homemade Gift Tag (Good Luck Finding Better Coworkers Than Us)
- Diversion Safe (Filled with Favorite Candy, a Small Gift Card, or Cash)
RELATED: Best White Elephant Gifts Ever
Practical Coworker Gift Ideas
- Coffee Mug Warmer
- Colorful Sticky Notes
- Cute File Folders
- Funny Note Pads
- Lunch Bag or Box
- Mini Portable Lunch Crock Pot
- Pretty Office Supplies
- Rubber Band Ball
More Fun Coworker Gift Ideas from your Frugal Friends
Rhonda writes: “I always make up food items. The winners are the pretzel, rolo, pecan bites. I also give festive nail polish for the girls.”
Pretzel Rolo Pecan Bites Recipe
Rebecca writes: “Your favorite candle, house plants, your homemade specialties, a cozy couch throw, specialty soaps, specialty chocolates, nice cozy socks, etc.”
Cindy writes: “Cookies in a Jar. They are so cute; very little work or cost; you can make a dozen of them at one time; the decorated jars and the layering of ingredients is so cute! It’s homemade, which gives a nice touch and it’s something that’s relatively useful. I mean, really, who couldn’t use chocolate chip cookie mix???”
101 Gifts in a Jar Recipes
Mary Ann writes: “Last year I made seasoning packs. I made little mason jars with homemade taco seasoning and Italian seasoning. HUGE hit! I also give them the recipes to make more.”
Easy Homemade Seasoning Recipes
Bev writes: “I’m a teacher and bring in a goodie! Donuts are sometimes my go to! But a homemade dessert is also a big hit!”
Michelle writes: “So buy a pack of Canning Jars and Christmas candy, 1 yard of Christmas colored $1 per yard fabric, Christmas colored pipe cleaners. Fill the jar with candy. Cut out a circle of fabric at least an inch bigger than the jar lid. Put the lid sealing piece and fabric on the jar, then the screw top. Wrap pipe cleaners around the top and twist a couple times to make it look like ribbon strings hanging down. You can write on the fabric with fab pen or use the canning stickers that come with the jars.”
Mobilo Card
Deb writes: “Homemade jam and granola.”
Redd writes: “Cotton dish towels, Beach towels, Cozy mystery books, warm socks, handmade scarves. Cookies and tea or jam.”
Strawberry Jam Recipe for Canning
Susan writes: “I crochet ornaments and everyone seems to love them. It’s something simple, but they look forward to getting them every year.”
Christy writes: “A great tube of mascara or and a lip balm”
Donna writes: “Calendars and hand sanitizer”
Jody writes: “How about Hand soap, lotion, hot chocolate and a mug, lunch bag, 1 pair of socks, blanket, brownie mix, pair of gloves, plant, or cactus.”
Dawn writes: “Bath and body works – hand soaps and lotion”
Bath and Body Works Coupons
Elaine writes: “At my Hubby’s office party, we got two 1 lb bags of freshly ground coffee 
we were thrilled!”
Barb writes: “I used to buy Christmas ornaments when they went a on sale after the holidays. I’d give them as gifts the following Christmas. Usually shopped Cracker Barrel.”
Cracker Barrel Hacks
Christy writes: “Travel mugs, gift card for lunch out or coffee, hand cream, barefoot dream socks, nail gift card, a 40 oz cup, s leather business card holder, small change purse, a cute shampoo and conditioner set or a neat pen set”
Lori writes: “Candles, chocolates, coffee, tea, or Christmas decorations”
Kristy writes: “Candles and wick trimmer or fancy matches”
Scented Holiday Candles
Diana writes: “Homemade cards. It’s easy if you have scrapbooking supplies around and cardstock or blank cards from Michaels. My sister’s and I have made hundreds of card bundles in themes over the years. Holiday, birthday, thank you’s, just because, etc. The great thing is… they don’t have to be the same – and it is an easy way to use of your misc. scraps.”
Amy writes: “I like to bake, so I bake a variety of cookies and put together a small gift bag for them.”
Holly writes: “Their favorite snacks!!!”
Mindy writes: “My coworkers each got a $5 Starbucks card”
Starbucks Money Saving Hacks
Mona writes: ‘I make ‘elf bags’ for my coworkers. This year will have the typical hand cream & lip balm, along with stylus pens & Emergen-C.”
Valerie writes: “Christmas socks, holiday candies, poinsettias”
Jane writes: “My boss used to buy us some Fannie May chocolates. Little six piece boxes. One coworker would buy us Christmas decorations from the dollar store for our desk so we could decorate. And then another coworker would give us a Christmas card with lotto tickets in it (Scratch off kind).”
Shelby writes: “Box of chocolates, candy, cookies.”
Bridget writes: “There are lots of great way to let co-workers know that you appreciate them, especially at the holidays. The easiest (and probably least expensive) is with Baked Goods. This is also especially nice because they can share it with their family and friends… so the gift keeps on giving. Add a card with a personal note, too.”
Jayme writes: “I always make or purchase ornaments for my co-workers. These are arranged on a small tray of home made goodies. I can usually get the ornaments for 50% off at Hobby Lobby and a pretty charger plate for the goodies for less than $1 each. Wrap it all up in cellophane and curling ribbon. Looks pretty and costs easily less than $5 each.”
Robin writes: “I used to give jars of my homemade salsa when I worked.”
Easy Salsa Recipes
Cindi writes: “One of the little things I do is make a big batch of Candy (this year it’s Peanut Brittle) and put some of it in goody bags for each person.”
Susie writes: “So I make homemade hot fudge that you warm up and pour over ice cream. I put them in 1/2 pint size mason jars. Then I cut a piece of Christmas fabric in a square with pinking shears, lay it on top and screw the top on. It is so yummy!”
Cheryl writes: “The week of Christmas we are very busy. I carry homemade pimento cheese crackers, bread, chips and my homemade cookies. Sometimes fudge and peanut butter balls too. I generally bake several batches of cookies and take them on different days to make sure all are able to get them since we work shift work.”
Kim writes: “I made the easy Hot Cocoa Mix in bulk, and put it in a pint jar with fabric and a pretty ribbon. Don’t forget to give mixing directions.”
Bea writes: “Dollar Tree Christmas mugs, Hot chocolate packet, and a candy cane”
Nellie writes: “Head over to the Dollar Tree and pick up a pretty goblet, a package of hot cocoa, candy canes, curling ribbon, tissue paper and a gift bag. Tie a pretty bow with the curling ribbon or two on the goblet, fill with the cocoa and candy canes or other treats. Carefully wrap in tissue paper and gift in the bag. You could do a set of goblets, depending on how much you wanted to gift.”
Yvette writes: “Home baked goods”
Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe
Diane writes: “I gave a Christmas print emery board and a jar of OPI polish and a small hand lotion.”
Chris writes: “Coffee mugs, go cups for cold drinks, and who doesn’t love a new lunch bag?”
Tricia writes: “It depends what they like: a coffee basket for the coffee lover, movie basket for the movie lover (at home edition), Stanley tumbler with their name on it and some snacks, or an experience.”
Deb writes: “Epsom Salt Soak and bubble bath”
Shelly writes: “I give my team a calendar, mouse pad, and Amazon gift cards for the holidays.”
Amazon Deals and Steals!
Christina writes: “Stanley cup topper, gift cards, earrings or I try to do a little bag of favorite things… pen, gum, hair tie, lotion, or compression socks (for nurses).”
Brenna writes: “Christmas socks, handmade soaps and scrubs, ornaments”
Cheryl writes: “I made vanilla extract last year with vanilla beans. Bottled it in amber glass bottles and tied with a pretty bow.”
Mary Ann writes: “Homemade gifts: I used to give jars of vacuum sealed marinara sauce, jars of caramel sauce, jars of spice mixes, pre-measured cookie mixes (they needed to add the wet ingredients), a yummy coffee, hot cocoa or tea mix with a travel mug.”
Homemade Brownie Mix Recipe
More Inexpensive Coworker Gift Ideas
Jenny writes: “Small Christmas gift bags filled with a variety of Candy. Tie the bags with a bow and place them in a coffee mug. Also add a Christmas gift tag with their name on it. These items can all be found at the Dollar Tree / 99 Cent store.”
Tanya writes: “I gift them each 1 pair of holiday socks.”
Diane writes: “A Wendy’s keychain for a FREE Frosty for a year!!! They loved it!!! It’s a Jr Frosty but it’s for the whole year!!!!”
Shannon writes: “Plants and calendars.”
Pam writes: “I give floral arrangements that I make”
Charlotte writes: “Coffee, Teas, Cookies, Soaps, Lotions, Chocolate Candy, and Hot Cocoa”
Jamie writes: “In the past I have given Coffee Mugs filled with hot cocoa packets; gloves with lotion; makeup bags filled with a bottle of nail polish and a pretty colored finger nail file; pretty stationery with a colored pin. I have done many more, but these are the better ones. I hope this helps. Merry Christmas!”
Joanne writes: “ALDI has a bag of German chocolate ornaments and a Santa that they put out each year-I usually add a small gift card for a coffee at our local shop”
Roxanne writes: “So I would go to a craft store that sells fleece, JoAnn’s is where I go. Purchase 1/4 yard of fleece per person, then cut it the size you want. I use 70 inches, cut at set intervals 5 inches on either side for fringe… and you have a cute Fleece Scarf Gift.”
How to Make a Fleece Scarf
Kim writes: “A nice Mug full of chocolates or hard candies or both. Or fill the mug with Homemade Cookies, then wrap it all in cellophane and a beautiful bow. Another friend suggested putting a scarf inside the mug!”
Susan writes: “A small pretty bottle of extra virgin olive oil. A gift everyone loves! Practical and always appreciated!”
Tiffany writes: “Personalized mugs/tumblers with names on them. I usually buy custom name decals on Etsy and then buy the mugs at Walmart and put the decals on them with some cute ribbon and a card”
Lynne writes: “Gift card to a restaurant or store you know they like.”
Mindy writes: “Homemade bread and jam”
Cathy writes: “This year they are getting local popcorn, local pita chips and a gift certificate for a loaf of local, fresh sour dough bread!!”
Annette writes: “Homemade apple butter that I make.”
Paula writes: “Reindeer Poop” 🙂
Easy Reindeer Poop Recipe
Maura writes: “The key is to keep your eye out for sales and plan in advance how many you need to buy for. My mom who worked with 12 women, would shop the year before during the Christmas Clearance, and then put the items away till the next year.”
More Fun Coworker Gifts
Ugly Christmas Sweater from Marshalls
Silly Socks
Bath and Body Works Gifts
Festive Nail Polish
Homemade Coworker Gifts
We Whisk You a Merry Christmas Foodie Gift
Anna writes: “I’m doing this, this year, for my coworkers.”
Thanks a Latte Gift Card Holder
Easy Homemade Soy Candles
Peppermint Bath Salts
Pamper Yourself Gifts in a Jar
Homemade Coconut Oil Lip Balm
Christmas Simmer Pot
Chyrstal writes: “I make a yuletide simmer pot”
DIY Hot Cocoa Gift Bags
Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar Recipe
French Vanilla Cocoa Mix in a Jar
Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Almonds Recipe
Candied Walnuts Recipe
Spicy Walnuts Recipe
Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts Recipe
Cranberry Trail Mix Recipe
Chocolate Trail Mix Recipe
Energy Boost Gift in a Jar
Here’s a fun Gift in a Jar for your College Student that needs a little boost… of ENERGY! Long nights of cramming for exams need some morning reinforcements!
Movie Night at Home Gift
Summer in a Bucket (fun beach gift ideas!)
DIY Personalized Clipboard
DIY Marble Magnets
(fun for file cabinets!)
So how is that for some fun Coworker Gift Ideas?
Now what about the actual gift exchange? Don’t worry… I’ve got you covered!
Keep your holidays festive with these Fun Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas! Thanks to these upbeat crowd-pleasing party games, this is the celebration everyone will be talking about all year long!
From joyful Christmas Traditions to hilarious gift exchange parties, there’s something FUN for everyone! These ideas can be so much fun for family gift exchanges, too!
Fun Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas
Fun Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas
Related: Frugal Gift Ideas for Everyone on your List!
Christmas Gift Exchange Games:
White Elephant Gift Exchange
Jan writes: “Last year my family decided to have a White Elephant Gift Exchange, using fun items bought at the local thrift store. Everyone had a great time.”
Becky writes: “For the adults, we play a white elephant style game. Nothing is to be bought, you have to find something lying around your home that is not TRASH but something you just don’t want or use. :)”
Rea writes: “I do White Elephant with family, and Secret Santa at work place.”
Ornament Gift Exchange
Have everyone purchase or make an ornament, and then host a gift exchange ‘White Elephant Style’ with your ornaments… allowing your coworkers to swap and steal ornaments as you go!
Or here’s another fun idea about Christmas Wishes…
Lisa writes: “We gave glass balls and put a ribbon bow with tag on top. We told everyone to put their wish for the year on a piece of paper and roll it up and put it in the glass ornament. It was a hit! My wish came true.”
Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Have everyone at work draw a name, then secretly surprise that person with gifts during a Secret Santa Gift Exchange week!
It’s a great way to get to know more about your co-workers, and so fun guessing who your Secret Santa is!
Saran Wrap Ball Game
Melissa writes: “Do a Saran Wrap Ball of trinkets or money, like the Oven Mitt Game.”
Linda writes: “We play the Saran Wrap game. Everyone gets so excited about it! I make the ball every year and add candy, mints, chapstick, some cash, etc..”
Collect a big pile of fun small gifts, and begin wrapping them up in plastic cling wrap. Continue wrapping, adding a few little gifts here in there, and allow the plastic wrap to turn into a ball.
I like to use several pieces of plastic wrap to create the ball, rather than one large piece, as it will make the game more challenging when you play.
Then, when it’s time to play…
- Have everyone sit in a circle.
- Hand the Saran Wrap Ball to one player.
- To make it even more challenging, make sure to have the person doing the unwrapping of the ball wear oven mitts while it’s their turn! 🙂
- Give a set of dice to the player to their left.
- Say ‘Go!’ and let the person with the ball, begin unwrapping.
- As they unwrap, the person to their left will continually roll dice (as fast as they can) until they roll doubles.
- Once they roll doubles, the game freezes. The person with the ball must stop unwrapping. They can keep any gifts or prizes that fell out while unwrapping, and then pass the ball to the person to their left.
- The person with the dice, will pass the dice to the person to their left, then the game will continue until the ball is completely unwrapped.
Cookie Exchange
Chris writes: “We enjoy a Cookie Exchange where we bring cookie packages that we make at home. So if 12 people are participating, then we make 12 packages. We used to make a dozen for each person but that got to be too much, so now each person gets a 1/2 dozen in their package.
Yankee Swap Game
Debbie writes: “We have a few. We do a Yankee Swap (we go 2x around), we play a Christmas Charade game and do the present in plastic wrap thing. We also play other games.
For the Yankee Swap, we start with two decks of cards. Everyone gets two cards from one deck. One person picks from the other deck. First person picks a gift. Second person picks a gift but can switch with the first person if they want, and so on. On the second time around you can either keep what you have or switch with someone. We sometimes refer to it as the Yankee Wars…lol. Oh, and each year we have a theme. This year is Regift, Refurbish, or Relax. Hope that helps.”
Dice Party Games
Chris writes: “We play Left, Center, Right Dice Game with everyone at the party. Usually about 35 people playing. We also have a euchre tournament, or play spoons. We have a Santa at another party and parents bring the Santa gift for their kids to open.”
Fake Money Christmas Auction
Carole writes: “We each bring 2-3 gifts to auction off with fake money. We end up with 20-30 gifts and hand out fake money to everyone. We usually do 200-300ish. We take turns auctioning things.”
Lefty the Elf Game
Cindy Lou writes: “My geocaching group each brings small geocaching gifts and we read the Lefty the Elf story and pass our gifts left and right. They insist on it every year. For my book discussion group I buy “Christmas themed” paperbacks at Dollar General and wrap them. Then we read the Lefty the Elf story and pass them around and open when done. Everyone gets a gift.”
More Creative Coworker Gift Exchange Ideas
Debbie writes: “I keep it really simple (and inexpensive). For the females: small candles, purse size hand lotion, sanitizers, lip balm, etc. (most of these you can get as samples, free with coupons or inexpensive). Home baked items are wonderful for the men. Photo cards are another option.
For any kids think 99 Cent Store! Stickers, coloring books, hair bands, bubbles, you name it!”
Noreen writes: “Gift baskets are great. Fill the baskets with items from dollar stores. They have everything you need for under 10 bucks, and you will have a great gift that looks more expensive than it cost!”
Pam writes: “This year, I am doing candle jars. I work in a kitchen and am able to get plastic jalapeno jars and glass pickle jars for free. I am going to use a spray paint can of frost with stencils to decorate the jars. Then you put a little bit of play sand in the bottom, a battery operated tea light, wrap raffia around the top and voila! A nice little gift for little money.”
Connie writes: “Jar mixes are great gifts and not expensive to make… like a “mix” of cookies, soups, brownies, etc. Place these in a jar and decorate the lid with material or ribbon. They are great for unexpected gifts.”
The Ultimate List of Gifts in a Jar Recipe {101 ideas}
Debra writes: “Every year, the day after Thanksgiving, I begin making cream filled chocolates and peanut butter cups. I box or bag these as inexpensive gifts. It takes a little time, but the effort is worth every minute. If you can get friends or family to help, it’s a fun, yet sweet afternoon project that everyone on your Christmas list will love receiving! You can get imaginative with your packages too!”
Bee writes: “If you’re at all into knitting or crocheting, check out ravelry.com – they have tons of free patterns for just about anyone’s needs.”
Pam writes: “I saw this cute idea at a craft show. Make a fleece scarf, but add an extra piece of fabric on the bottom, to use as hand warmers. The scarf can be tied up like the popular blankets.”
How to Make a Fleece Scarf
More Creative Gift Ideas
Still need more fun and creative coworker gift ideas? Get inspired with these fun gift ideas below…
Best Coffee Lover Gift Ideas (fun gifts)
Infusing coffee into just about anything is a great way to generate excitement and buzz.
Best White Elephant Gifts Ever
When it comes to White Elephant Gift Exchanges, the sillier or stranger the gifts, the better! Seriously… anything goes!
Best Dog Gift Ideas
Give your doggie what they really really really want this year!
BIG List of Stocking Stuffers for Men
From practical gifts to hilarious add-ons, your man is going to LOVE going through his stocking on Christmas morning this year!
Best Gifts for College Students
Get ready to spoil the young adults you love with these fun and creative Gifts for College Students!
New Mom Gift Ideas
Spoil those new moms with some of the Best New Mom Gift Ideas. This is what she really wants!
Best Grandma Gift Ideas
Are you wondering what to Get Grandma? Check out this HUGE list of Fun Grandma Gift Ideas she’ll love!
Best Teenage Girl Stocking Ideas
Finally… the absolute COOLEST stocking stuffers for teen girls! This is what they really want!
HUGE List of Fun Stocking Stuffers for Kids
Whether you’re searching for the best stocking stuffers for little boys or girls, I’ve got you covered!
BIG List of Teenage Guy Stocking Stuffers
These fun stocking stuffers for teenage guys are a little helpful and a little silly… and totally perfect for teen guys!
Best Christmas Gifts Ideas for Dad
From useful gifts to hilarious presents, Dad will LOVE receiving these creative Christmas gifts from his daughter or son!
Best Gardening Gift Ideas for Green Thumbs
Give the gardeners on your list some some Spring cheer with these fun Gardening Gift Ideas!
Fun Foodie Gifts (Christmas Gift Ideas)
These budget-friendly and creative gift ideas are guaranteed to please your food-loving friends and family! They also make fabulous Coworker Gift Ideas!
Frugal Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
From unique birthday gifts to hilarious stocking stuffers, and sweet keepsakes to romantic surprise gifts, there’s something fun for everyone! Finding the perfect gift has never been so fun!
I’ve included creative ideas for Dad, Boyfriends, Kids, Teen Girls, Teen Boys, Grandpa, Grandma, Teachers, Coworkers, Foodies, Coffee Lovers, Dogs and more!
So do you have any fun Coworker Gift Ideas or favorite Secret Santa Gifts?
Leave a comment & share!
Nice list of ideas. Thanks for the effort.
This sounds perfect! I can’t wait to find some funny Secret Santa gifts for my coworkers this year. Maybe a decoy prank box for maximum confusion?
Decoy prank boxes are always such a fun idea!! 🙂
These gift ideas are so thoughtful and practical. I love that they’re all budget-friendly too. Can’t wait to try some of these out for my coworkers!
Fantastic… I’m so glad you liked the Coworker Gift Ideas, Sophia!
LOL the Public Toilet Survival Kit is killing me! That is so hilarious! What a fantastic office gift to give to a colleague to make them laugh.
Haha… I know, right? You can’t go wrong with public restroom humor! 🙂
Great collections!
This can be helpful guide when we run out of idea to buy gift for co-worker , friends or special person.
Thanks for sharing!
Last year I wrapped individual serving sizes of microwave popcorn (purchased BOGO) in brown paper lunch bags. Slid them inside and flattened and wrapped bag around popcorn. I tied the with twine and wrote on them with red sharpie. “Just poppin’ in to say Merry Christmas. You could put Happy Holidays if you are concerned about PC but I am not. Everyone thought it was such a cute idea. Easy and inexpensive. This year I am considering individual bags with ingredients to make a s’more using peeps snowmen for the marshmallow. “Wishing you s’more joy” or “cheer”
One year I gave a small gift of a few pieces of chocolate with a note to each coworker explaining what I appreciate about him or her and/or the positive influence they’ve had on my life. Apparently it was appreciated; the wife of one coworker said he posted his on his fridge at home. It was inexpensive, but the personal impact was priceless.