Whether you're searching for the perfect gift for your boss or want to show your work bestie just how much you appreciate them, it's always fun to think outside the box when shopping for coworkers.
From useful office and tech gear to indulgent food and skin care sets (and some unconventional finds along the way), Shop TODAY has rounded up several unique gifts for coworkers that'll win you some major brownie points. Best of all? Most of our finds are under $50!
Shop TODAY editors’ gifts for coworkers
Shop TODAY deputy managing editor Jess Bender recommends gifting this to the foodie in your office who is constantly spicing things up with their homemade lunches. If their lunch could use a little kick, this chili sauce (which has been featured on the viral interview series Hot Ones) is perfect as it packs nine times the amount of heat as their traditional chili oil.
Former associate editor Sierra Hoeger knows there’s no shortage of tote bags around the office, so she suggests gifting this reusable one from Baggu. Not only is it sustainable, but it is also “affordable and adorable,” Hoeger says. It comes in 45 unique shades and patterns to help find the color that best matches your work bestie’s personality.
Former deals editor Rebecca Brown loves this box cutter from Slice. With one flick of the wrist, the micro-blades cut through tape, corrugate and even clamshell packaging. She’s got their safety cutters in every junk drawer so that anyone can open the Amazon boxes that come to the door.
Your shortcut to editor approved picks
Associate editor Annie Shigo has gifted these in the past, which she dubs as the “best pens.” It’s easy to see why — it boasts a wide color variety and smooth writing capabilities that help it stand out amongst others. Plus, it’s less than $15 for a pack of 10 gel pens, making it both affordable and practical.
If they are always bringing in a salad for lunch, they probably know the struggle of trying to safely bring your vinaigrette from home to the office. Luckily, Shigo noticed this brand popping up on TikTok that has single-serving packable salad dressings that are similar to the natural creations you make at home. She says, “I would love this as a gift from a coworker. It is thoughtful and best of all... useful!”
Former production coordinator Camryn Privette recommends her “favorite body lotion” for those who suffer from dry, cracked skin once winter rolls around. Made with ceramides, this gift will surely keep their hands hydrated.
Shigo loves gifting these diffusers to office mates because everyone can benefit from them. “I love buying these for coworkers. It’s such a light scent and makes coming into the office even better! The scent is great for any room,” she says.
Former holiday editor Nina Bradley recommends this Moroccanoil fragrance mist if your office buddy is obsessed with beauty products. This scented spray features argan oil and vitamin E to help hydration and has over 9,200 ratings on Amazon.
These kitchen soaps are sure to impress anyone at the office. Associate editor Erica Marrison recommends them, saying "I'm completely obsessed with this editor- and celebrity-approved line of soaps. They smell incredible and look amazing on your counter — the hand soap is definitely the latest in the 'status hand soap' category."
She adds, "I love the idea of giving this to a coworker or someone you don't know too personally, as the packaging is beautiful, but it's something they're likely to actually use."
"My coworker gifted me this and I love it" says SEO writer Jannely Espinal, and it's easy to see why she does. This book-turned-jewelry organizer is the perfect gift to give your fashionable, trendy coworker who doesn't shy away from dressing up their business casual with bold statement accessories.
Desk essentials for coworkers
Accidents happen and that's why we highly recommend having a Tide pen in your desk drawer at all times. This pack of three stain-removing pens will have your coworker thankful for this useful, practical gift.
The work environment has drastically evolved over the last few years, which means your coworkers might need to bring their laptops to and from the office regularly. Fortunately, you'll have them covered with this padded sleeve, which comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
Gifting them a charger may seem basic, but it’s practical and useful. Give them one they can leave at their desk instead of needing to remember to tote the same one back and forth.
This is the perfect gift for a neat freak who keeps a clean desk. This mini can is very small but makes for a great desk accessory to throw scrap paper into. It has a removable lid that’s easy to take off and clean in case of a spill.
Desk accessories can help make your office space a little more fun and homey. This little guy is made to bring you joy and a little smile throughout the work day. With one tap of your finger, it can bounce and jiggle.
What can’t Stanley do? If you have a coworker who can always be seen doting their oversized emotional support water bottle, gift them with one that’s sure to become their next obsession. Perfect for gifting and available in a ton of colors, Stanleys are adored by many due to their ability to keep water cold for up to 40 hours.
Nobody knows what you’re wearing if your camera is off during meetings, so why not rock the bestselling Comfy during video calls? You might want to pick one up for yourself, too.
For those who like to think out loud with storyboards and ideas, this magnetic board is perfect for their desk or wall. It can hold tons of cards, photos, notes and little mementos of inspiration.
Desk decor for coworkers
Who wouldn’t rather be on the green than at the office? Make their desk a little calmer and fun with this mini golf game. They can practice their swing or putting in between meetings.
Up their journal game for taking notes in the office. This beautiful journal from Moleskine looks just like the classic Starry Night painting by Vincent Van Gogh. It not only looks great on a desk, but it comes in handy for meetings and work trips.
This bestselling Lego set features nine unique artificial plants to help spruce up your coworker’s desk. Your officemate will have a blast building this set of 771 pieces, which has a near-perfect average on Amazon and several Shop TODAY editors' seals of approval.
If they love to keep pictures of their friends and loved ones on their desk, get them a fun frame like this beaded one from Susan Alexandra made in collaboration with Anthropologie.
Every desk needs a little organization help and this organizer is not only chic but also very handy. They can organize their pens, makeup and more — all in one place.
Meal prep and food gifts for coworkers
Fast casual bowls and salads can add up very quickly! If they joke about spending $50 every time they have to head into the office, gift them this stackable, bento box-style food storage container that comes with its own utensils.
Shigo and writer Danielle Murphy are big fans of this glass salad container. Shigo says, “it is so big you can easily fit two lunches in here and all the compartments are game changers for foods you wouldn’t want to touch.”
If there’s one thing Shop TODAY editors are good at aside from our jobs, it’s making our office smell like a kitchen with our homemade lunches. This portable electric lunchbox from Crock-Pot eliminates the need to microwave your meal, warming it up at your desk instead.
The tight-sealing lid promises that the contents of your lunch will stay in place and not at the bottom of your work tote.
Nothing says “thanks for being a great coworker” like delicious gourmet chocolates. This trendy sampler includes 10 ganache truffles that will surely satisfy your work bestie’s palate.
Brown has received these as a gift and loved them. “Not only are these gorgeous, but they’re dense and delicious. A perfect afternoon treat,” she says.
If you’re not sure what to get the office foodie, you can’t go wrong with a gift card to Goldbelly, which can be redeemed for a delectable assortment of iconic eats from near and afar.
Coffee and tea accessories for coworkers
If you want a spill-proof coffee tumbler, this is your best bet. Shigo has been using it for years and says, “I literally shake my coffee in this and it has never spilled. It is awesome to say the least!”
The resident coffee snob will appreciate making the perfect glass of cold brew with this premium cold brew coffee maker with over 51,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon.
Enjoying coffee at their desk just got a whole lot easier with instant espresso. All you need water and some milk and you have a cafe-style latte right at your desk.
Shigo has been a long-time fan of this instant espresso: “I swear this is easier and tastier than buying coffee or making it. It tastes so rich, you would never know it is instant coffee. I keep one at my desk.”
Marrison was on the hunt for a commuter mug that wouldn’t splash all over her during subway rides. She found this mug from Fellow after some research. She says, “This cup has a splash guard inside, so even when the covers off, your liquid isn’t moving too far (so long as you’re holding it upright). Then, when I want to toss it into my bag, it’s 100% leakproof.”
Instead of letting them buy an overpriced latte every single day, treat your coworker to this mug from Yeti. It comes with a lid so that they can bring their coffee to work on-the-go, and the mug's insulation technology allows for their drink to stay warm or cold throughout their 9-5.
Who doesn’t want to sip coffee out of a beautiful mug? This pair is great for you and your office bestie to sip tea or coffee out of in the morning. Cheers!
Wellness and relaxation gifts for coworkers
Your coworker's unwinding time after a shift is probably very precious to them. This Biodance face mask, a Shop TODAY Sleep Awards Winner, is a great overnight treatment for them to relax and look refreshed in the office the next day.
Stress balls are a classic office standby for good reason. Perfect for fast-paced, high-anxiety work stretches, each ball in this set is infused with essential oils meant to calm the senses and inspire focus, according to the brand.
Dealing with “tech neck” or strained muscles during work. Take a break with this muscle massage ball that helps relieve muscle tension. It’s small and discreet so it won’t make too much of a ruckus in the office.
Other thoughtful coworker gifts
If they love to knit, you can’t go wrong with re-upping their supplies! This beautiful mohair yarn is a favorite of Shigo for their fun colors and soft texture.
The coworker who’s always initiating happy hours will probably get some use out of these handy and ridiculously cute wine stoppers. They help to extend the life of your wine and other bottled beverages, keeping any unfinished drinks fresh for longer while acting as excellent conversation starters.
You don’t have to break the bank to get a quality gift. Take this 14K gold-plated necklace, for example. It’s beautiful and looks more expensive than it is.
Editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson is a big fan of Kringle and recently shared this one with our office. She said, “They just dropped the new Holly Berry flavor for the holidays! I got the chance to try it a month or so ago at a holiday event and it was divine.”
If they love games or anything to keep them entertained, this chic puzzle makes for a great living room addition to pop out during dinner parties or on lazy Sundays. Each piece is cut differently and the puzzle comes with a reusable/resealable bag and a poster for you to frame if you love the image itself.
Help them keep track of their office keys or keycard with this cushion charm. It is made from carefully selected fabrics and is filled with lavender for an especially nice scent.
Give them the gift of a new hobby with this fun quilt kit from Connecting Threads. It includes everything they need to make a beautiful table runner or placemats. It is a great way for them to step away from the computer and try something new.
Shigo recently discovered this phone case brand The Dairy and was impressed by the quality of the cases. She says, “This brand is full of fun takes on your typical phone case made by actual artists. This one has garnered me lots of compliments and has protected my phone from many drops.”
At Shop TODAY, we are always lugging products back home to test and that means we are often running out of space in our bags. This cute bag charm can turn into a full size tote in seconds to hold all your essentials.
Shigo has this and keeps it on her purse. “It has come in so handy in just the couple of days I have had it. I plan on getting them for my friends and coworkers!”
A great work bag can make all the difference in their daily commute. This one from North Face is a favorite of Shigo’s because it can easily convert into a backpack for easy carry and has so many little pockets you have room for everything.
Give the gift of a great seat with this seat cushion that makes sitting for long periods of time more comfortable. Bender mentions this is a great splurge gift for a coworker if you're chipping in with other members of the team.
How we chose the best gifts for coworkers
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products that would make good gifts for your coworkers. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for the tween, teen and young adult on your list.
Meater SE Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer
Meater SE Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer