With a new year, we come with new hope, resolutions, and a new start, leaving the past behind us. That’s a matter of celebration indeed. In the professional field, a New Year wish comes with exchanging gifts with colleagues. Corporate gifting is thought to be on the professional level and less personal, keeping in mind company policies as well. One common rule of gifting is considering needs and preferences. For example, a colleague who works in the tech department might prefer gadgets, while the creative one might not. Make your gift-giving culture more appreciative by putting some effort into finding the recipient’s preference.
Subscription Services
Subscriptions are the perfect solution when you’re unsure of someone’s exact preferences but want to offer something useful and thoughtful. As teammates or working in the same place, you might not know deep preferences about them but what they need? Definitely.
✤ Grammarly premium subscriptions help a ton with writing and all office work more accurately.
✤ For a tech-savvy colleague, a subscription to tech magazines (e.g., Wired, Technology Magazine, PCMag, etc.) is so exciting to have, keeping them updated about the latest trends and information. Besides personal engagement, this helps their work as well.
✤ No matter who the recipient is, book lovers often prefer audiobook subscriptions (e.g., Audible, Audiobooks, Barnes and Noble, etc.). Not entirely true, though, but in most cases. As audiobooks are more flexible to use than physical books due to time constraints and places, this subscription is ideal for colleagues to enjoy listening to books flexibly.
✤ Wellness subscriptions like Calm, Headspace, etc., are versatile needs for everyone in this era. Be it job, family, personal life, constant stress, or several issues, declining mental health is a huge problem now. However, this is a thoughtful present to give to your colleague considering their mental well-being.
✤ Though this one is quite personal, meal service subscriptions are far more necessary, especially for working individuals. If the connection with your colleague or teammate is closer, like a friend, then meal services like HelloFresh, EveryPlate, Factor, Home Chef, etc., are great because they ease the busy life while maintaining healthy meals thoughtfully.
✤ Online courses can be thoughtful as well as useful gifts to give. This one should be consulted before giving as we don’t want to gift them a course they don’t even want to do. To build skills in their career or personally, any hobbies or new skills can be encouraged (e.g., Skillshare, Domestika, Coursera, etc.), making a compassionate gift idea.
Tech and Gadgets
For tech-savvy colleagues, think like Tony Stark. A sleek gadget like a wireless charging pad or a portable monitor could make their workspace feel a little more futuristic.
✤ Wireless charging pads are a location-flexible and ideal choice for teammates to use.
✤ Tech-savvy colleagues would love a portable monitor for brighter, sharper colors and different features. Those who are on the go or love to play games will appreciate such a gift that adds advantages to their work as well as the flexibility to complete tasks anywhere, making this a proper gift item for remote workers.
✤ Those working always with technology, such as editing or maybe a music die-hard lover, will love a high-end headphone or speaker in their collection. And if that is a gift, then why not?
✤ Among your colleagues, someone might be game-addicted. They will love a gaming console like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, etc., as a gift.
✤ Ergonomic keyboards and mouses are thoughtful options for those who work long hours using these. Depending on their comfort with the design, as ergonomic designs are not versatile for everyone, and your affordability, this is a good gift option. The customized designs really help with long-time sitting postures and hand or wrist issues related to lengthy typing and PC usage. Ergonomic keyboards and mice are not only practical but show that you’ve considered your colleague’s comfort and well-being.
✤ Projection keyboards are fascinating and fancy to use. A tech-savvy person who likes to try new technology and gadgets definitely would want to give it a go. You can consider this as a New Year’s gift for your teammate who frequently works with unorganized scheduled clients. This will help them complete assignments wherever they go without the difficulty of carrying a laptop all the time.
Handmade Gifts
A personal touch in a gift is special and sentimental. However, giving a gift to teammates should also consider the depth of connection. Giving personal gifts in a formal place is not always proper. If the relationship is more like camaraderie, then handmade paintings to keep on the desk or homemade foods, especially something sweet, would be adorable gifts for the New Year.
Fitness Trackers
Modern problems require modern solutions. Fitness is not a modern issue to consider, though now people are religiously trying to stay healthy through numerous diets and exercises. Fitness trackers might be a unique addition to their daily lives, especially for those with busy schedules, so they don’t have to track their exercises manually. Give a fitness tracker (such as Apple Watch, Google Pixel, Garmin, etc.) to your colleague who is health-conscious or desires to be, and let the gadget do its work.
Desk Organizers
If you are searching for gift ideas for a teammate, desk organizers are practical options. Constrained spaces are difficult to keep organized. In that case, desk organizers help keep a tidy desk, keeping all files and stationery in place.
Engraved Products
Engraved items are always very personal and special for everyone. Who wouldn’t like an item engraved with their name, initials, or something that defines them? For your work buddy, an engraved journal for personal use or a mug with their initials to use in the workplace would be precious. Tote bags or bags, in general, are the most used among workers as they spend most of their time outside and have to carry their essentials. This is also a great option to give.
Gift Cards
While gift cards may seem impersonal, they actually empower recipients to choose what they value most, making them a versatile and practical option. The advantage of gift cards is that they are available in every variety; you just need to choose the category. From restaurants and shopping to travel vouchers, everything is available. Your colleague might want to go shopping, have a favorite book club, need a spa day, or maybe have a dream destination to visit. As Donna Meagle from Parks and Recreation would say, ‘Treat Yo’ Self—and help your colleagues treat themselves too with a versatile gift card to their favorite shop or spa.
Travel Essentials
Portable chargers, sanitizers, travel adapters, neck pillows, luggage scales, etc., are travel essentials and great options as gifts to give in workplaces. These are practical, necessary, and formal ways of appreciating or wishing luck.
Stationery
Stationery items and workplaces have a lifetime bond. Daily planners, journals, markers, management files, and transparent sticky notes are daily-use stationery items.
Indoor Plants
The workplace is where employees spend the longest time. A little touch of greenery will make the place feel more like home. Indoor plants like succulents or pothos can enhance a workspace with greenery, improve air quality, and even boost productivity. A small plant with an aesthetic planter is a great gift to give to your plant lover colleagues.
Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet? A new year with a new resolution.
