The Brit + Co Guide to the Best Gift Ideas for Coworkers
Ah, the struggle of the office’s annual Secret Santa. In theory, it sounds awesome. Until you start to panic because you realize you don’t actually know your colleagues as well as you thought you did. Well, fret not, folks — we’ve collected stellar (HR-approved!) gift ideas for your coworkers from some of the trendiest people in the Brit + Co office. Add these to your cart and take comfort in knowing that your Secret Santa recipient is totally taken care of.
1. Golden Temples & Spices 3 Wick Candle ($23): Candles are my weakness. I especially love the city-themed candles that Bath & Body Works has come out with. Too much fun!
2. Anchor Sleeve Ipad Air ($30): I absolutely adore this color. It’s so cute but not overly feminine, and definitely on my list of things I need to get myself this year :)
3. Rockwell Midi in Noir ($325): It’s definitely a splurge, but if you’re looking to treat your work bestie, this minimal leather bag is something she can use every day.
4. Kate Spade Cedar Street Dot Darla ($78): I’ve been in love with Kate Spade wallets and bags for a while. This polka dot one is totally affordable, and I love how cute and compact it is.
5. Rifle Paper Co. Desktop Weekly Desk Pad ($10): I love trying to be organized. My life is all over the place, so this desktop calendar organizer helps me arrange my day-to-day schedule into one place. Plus, just look at HOW CUTE it is!
Ashley Fischer, Digital Sales Planner
6. Small Thumbs Up Hand ($58): Our office is emoji obsessed… I mean, who isn’t?! This thumbs up is made out of graphite, making it the coolest pencil ever — ditch your laptop and take notes the old-school way.
7. Wildsam Field Guide Notebook ($18): Moving to a new city AND starting a new job is a lot to adjust to. Gift your newbie-colleagues with this modern city guide.
8. Sweet Nothing Brass Bad B*tch Necklace ($40) : A tribute to all of the bad betches you work with.
9. Tinsel Tassels ($40): Office keys have never looked so stylish.
10. Wood Block + Prints ($24): Here’s one for all of your thoughtful coworkers. This wood block holds up to 12 photos, so you can rotate the pics depending on your mood.
11. Work Hard Then Gin & Tonic ($16): Motivational posters can provide inspiration both in and out of the office.
12. Geometric Succulent Cactus Planter ($25): Gift the outdoors. Having a desk job, I find myself missing nature and fresh air. I love this geometric wood planter that adds a pop of color and greenery to your workspace. Studies have even shown that plants in offices increase happiness and productivity. Be sure to buy a plant based on how much sunlight your coworker’s desk receives.
Sean Griffis, Channel Marketing Associate
13. New Peach Hand Cream ($10): Give the gift of soft hands with this adorable peach hand cream.
14. Plum & Bow Elephant Tea Mug ($16): Any tea lover in your office will love this elephant mug that even has a spot to hold your tea bags once they’re done steeping.
15. Le Petit Singularite DIY Kit ($25): Bring new life to your Monday through Friday neighbor’s stale desk with this terrarium kit that is also the home to a human explorer.
16. 3D Printed Octopus Box ($12): The office personality who decorates their desk with… everything. Trust us, they’ll be obsessed with this 3D printed octopus box.
17. Have a Little Pun: An Illustrated Play on Words by Frida Clements ($15): Pun-obsessed people can be found in every office. This book filled with them might just be their favorite present ever.
18. It’s All for Unicorn Light ($15): Give the gift of light with this absolutely adorable bright unicorn.
19. Zoo Portraits Koala ($25): Of course your quirky, fashion-forward, animal-loving cubicle mate needs this koala portrait.
20. What Are You Doing Here Without Dorinda? Tee ($22): Just like our office, you’re probably in a Real Housewives Slack channel gossiping about the glam lives of the Bravo women. Gift the co-worker who is the most obsessed (hi, ME!) with this RHONY quote tee.
Casey Richards, Assistant Buyer and Operations
21. You’re Soy Amazing Candle ($18): After the crazy holiday season, who wouldn’t want to be told “You’re soy amazing?”
22. Holiday Freaker Set – Knit Beverage Insulator ($19): Last year I gave my boss a bottle of prosecco to celebrate our shop’s first year. I wish I’d had one of these drink insulators to make it that much more festive of a gift. Who needs a bag when you can doll up a bottle in one of these?
23. Chocolate Dipped Sea Salt Caramels ($15): When in doubt, I buy chocolate. I love that these have such festive packaging too. If I’m in a rush, I can throw on a bow and it’s gift-ready!
24. Pattern Play: A Coloring Book for Grown-Ups ($10): Here’s a fun and playful pick. I don’t care how old we are; coloring books are always a winning option — especially this one (cough,cough).
Angela Velez, Community Editor
25. 1 Page at a Time: A Daily Creative Companion by Adam J. Kurtz ($9): Adam J. Kurtz is hilarious and crazy talented, and all I want is to own all of his art. You and your coworkers need this book to kickstart those 4:30pm brainstorms where coffee isn’t an option.
26. Big Appetit Tattoo ($5): Now your lunch crew can show off matching tats while you wait in line for your Chipotle burritos. Throw in their fave bag of chips and candy, and you’ll have instant snack buddies too.
27. Rewined Champagne Candle ($28): Rewined’s champagne-scented candle is my go-to gift for every occasion. Since HR might not like you sipping bubbly in the middle of the day, this is the next best thing.
28. Everything Sucks Except… Patch ($20): Add your coworker’s favorite drink (hello, frozen margs!) to this custom patch and you’ll have an extra excuse to go to happy hour together. (via @tuesdaybassen)
Juliet Ashley, Brand Analytics Manager
29. Rifle Paper Co. 2016 Appointment Wall Calendar ($22): I love everything Rifle Paper Company comes up with. What working woman doesn’t need a calendar??
30. Letterpress Notepad ($18): Everyone uses note pads at work, so this is a cute gift idea that would actually be really useful.
31. Woodshop Monogram Ornament ($9): This is a (semi)-personalized gift that – even if you don’t have a christmas tree – you can hang and keep up year round in your house. I hang mine on my bedroom door.
Terri Hintz, Brand Partnerships: West Director
32. “We’ll Eat You Up We Love You So” Print (Price Varies): I absolutely love these “Imps and Monsters” prints by Justin Hillgrove. There are parody and tribute prints like this one and other straight Imps and Monsters prints.
33. Windsor Vineyards Personalized Wine & Custom Labels (Price Varies): Wine is a standard gift in my household (we love to give and get). I’m super excited this year that I can get my creative on and design my own custom labels for wine gifts. Whether it’s a family photo or a quirky saying (or just plain reminding them who got them this awesome bottle of wine), it’s a fun way to show your personality and give them something they will use – I mean, consume.
34. Alex and Ani Pineapple Charm Bracelet ($28): I love giving gifts with meaning, and with these beautiful bangle bracelets you can choose the meaning and the symbol you want for each specific recipient.
35. The Alchemist by Pablo Coelho ($5): This is one of my favorite books of all time, and I love sharing it with friends and family. The Alchemist tells the magical story of Santiago, a shepherd boy who travels from Spain to Morrocco and Egypt on a quest to find worldly treasures, but in course gains the wisdom of self empowerment and the beauty of following your dreams. It’s inspiring and enlightening for all who read it.
36. Twelve Months of Manis ($68): I’m addicted to Butter London nail lacquers! They are so beautiful, bold and fun — and the lacquer is free from formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. (And psst… they last longer than any other polish I’ve used!)
37. Glassy Baby Greatful Red ($44): I love giving (and getting!) Glassy Baby as gifts for every occasion. Each one is handmade, and they all have their own name/description to fit any type of occassion/relationship (i.e. gratitude, friendship, true love). And best of all, 10% from the sale of every Glassy Baby will be donated directly to Glassy Baby White Light fund to give financial and emotional assistance to those in need.
Lisa Raphael, Editorial Director
38. Blue Bottle Subscription (Price Varies): Our office (and I don’t think we’re special — about this anyways ;) is coffee-obsessed. I would get someone a nice bag or subscription to a favorite local coffee spot. Blue Bottle does everything from half-bag to multi-bag subs for whatever price point you’re going for.
39. The Sneak Pin ($16): My coworkers are (obviously) the most creative kids around, so I love finding quirky, random, maker-made things that they will love. This set of “The Sneak Pins” is from one of my favorite boutiques in SF, which was introduced to me by one of my coworkers (hey, Kate!).
40. Amy Sedaris Gift Box Set of 6 Juice Glasses ($43): I LOVE Fishs Eddy. When I lived in NYC I picked up at least one gift from there every X-mas (and now we even sell them in the B+C shop, yay!). The Amy Sedaris Gift Box Set of Six Juice Glasses is so insanely cute. Everyone can use a kitchen accessory reset now and then.
41. IGWT Fill in the Blank Card Case ($60): IGWT’s “Talented Mother F*cker” card case is sold out, but you can engrave one with your own #girlboss phrase.
42. Cage Bottle Opener ($30): This is a classy bottle opener they could keep on their desk for Friday happy hours.
43. Outdoor Game Kit ($28): Taking a tip from REI this year, I’d love to gift my hardworking coworkers with something they can use in the great outdoors.
44. An Online Class (prices vary): Even coworkers who don’t work for a company all about creativity could benefit from being gifted an hour+ of an activity of their choosing.
Kelly Bryden, DIY Editor
45. Vol 13: Lemons by Alison Roman ($14): These beautifully designed little cookbooks are themed around one type of food. I have the strawberry one and it’s so cute!
What’s the best coworker gift you’ve ever received? Share with us in the comments below!
