Show appreciation and build relationships in the office.

For many of us, our colleagues can become like family over the course of a long year.

Whether it’s a milestone birthday, professional achievement, or even just making it through another Monday morning meeting, gifting an item (big or small) is a simple way to show your appreciation for those around you in the office.

Though gift-giving isn’t mandatory when navigating an office setting, there are some important guidelines and etiquette associated with it that should be observed when considering what (and what not!) to gift your peers in order to ensure respect is not lost among colleagues.

Avoid personal items that could cause offense or misinterpretation such as food (unless requisite dietary guidelines are known), clothing/accessories like fragrances/perfumes which could have strong preferences based on individual tastes, anything overly expensive whether personally bought or otherwise given which could create perceived pressure/hierarchy among co-workers, as well as gifts offering lifestyle suggestions such as products related to health/fitness trends.

When shopping for coworkers who are most deserving of some love from you in the workplace, consider thoughtful little tokens like:

• Sustainably sourced stationery items
• Offers for discounts at stores they love
• Tasteful mugs
• Eco-friendly candles
• Fun desk accessories like mousepads or laptop covers
• Personalized calendars featuring art pieces produced by local artists
• Creative courses such as calligraphy classes
• Care packages

Finally, think about pairing these gifts with planned activities outside work hours! A dinner out with coworkers, group classes/games, and/or a round of drinks all offer great ways to get everyone bonding again over shared experiences!

Check out Gifting Hat’s customized gift suggestions tool here!