Best Birthday Gift Ideas for Colleagues – Pick the Perfect Present!

Birthdays are important and should be celebrated whenever possible. It is that one day when it is all about you and no one else. Getting a thoughtful birthday gift for a work colleague or employee can be a great boost to their wellbeing at work.

The simple act of making a fuss and handing over a gift can make such a difference. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and valued. Our gift guide will ensure colleagues are made to feel special and loved.


Choosing a Great Birthday Gift for Colleagues

It can be tricky to choose the right gift for your colleague. This is more so the case if you aren’t particularly close but have been assigned the task. You want to get something meaningful without getting too personal.

You also do not want to offend the recipient. It is essential to know their likes and dislikes and their personality. There is no point, for example, buying someone a posh bottle of bubbly when they are a self confessed tee total.

The right birthday gift can boost staff morale and unite the team. Celebrating their birthday makes the recipient feel appreciated and part of the team. This in turn improves staff relations and overall productivity.


Factors to Consider Before Choosing

There are some things to bear in mind when choosing a birthday present for a colleague. You need to strike a balance between thoughtful and too personal.

  • Keep within a budget. Spending too much might put pressure on your colleague to reciprocate.
  • Tailor the gift to the recipient so that it is personal to them.
  • Ask those closest to the colleague for some hints and tips on what they like and dislike.
  • Leave plenty of time to purchase the gift.
  • Only choose something funny if you are sure it will not offend.
  • Think of a gift that is functional yet thoughtful.
  • Try to stay away from alcohol unless you know they enjoy a tipple.
  • Be mindful of their job role and the company ethos at all times.
  • Be aware of any dietary requirements they may have.

Birthday Gift Ideas For Work Colleagues

To make the choosing process simpler, we have divided the gift list into handy headings to help identify the right type of gift for the recipient. This will help you tailor the gift to the colleague you are purchasing for.

This will mean they get the perfect gift and it will help create feelings of appreciation and unity.


Food and Beverage Gifts

You can’t go wrong with a birthday gift packed with yummy treats. Whether it is their go to hot drink or some favourite snacks, it is a gift that will be well received.

If your colleague has mentioned being on a diet or health kick, you can still buy them a delicious food gift. Find some healthy options that are tasty and low calorie to support their efforts..


Gourmet Chocolate

Gourmet chocolate is a great gift idea for a colleague. It is aesthetically pleasing, smells delicious and tastes even better.

You can buy some really great chocolate gifts including those that have been handmade. Someone who receives this gift will see how much thought has been put into it. They will feel touched that their colleagues went over and beyond in choosing that extra special chocolate gift.


Cheese and Meat Board

If you have a colleague who is passionate about their cheese and meats, look no further. This gift will be welcomed and enjoyed wholeheartedly.

It is versatile and sometimes includes other treats such as crackers and oatcakes. It is something that can be enjoyed while sharing with their friends and family. Even better, there is no cooking involved!


Retro Confectionery

Who doesn’t love a trip down memory lane? There is something comforting about eating sweets from your childhood.

It takes you back to innocent times before life got adult like. Why not tailor sweets to the recipient’s childhood years? There are so many companies who market this very thing and many can be personalised too.


Hobby Related Gifts

If you are aware of a colleague’s hobbies and interests, this can make buying easier. Why not choose a gift that mirrors their spare time activities?

It shows the recipient that you know them well and see beyond the job title too.


Cooking Gadgets

For that kitchen connoisseur why not treat them to a cooking gadget they didn’t know they needed? Taking an interest in someone’s hobbies will mean a lot to them.

Sometimes work can seem all consuming so it is nice to remind someone they are more than their job. Someone who loves the kitchen will appreciate this type of gift.


Craft Supplies

Crafting has become a popular hobby since the pandemic with many using it as a way to de stress. There are those that craft as a sideline business too.

Why not kit your colleague out with their favourite crafting supplies? This gift is thoughtful yet practical and something that will definitely get used.


Subscription Boxes

A subscription box tailored to their interests is a great way to celebrate a colleague’s birthday. Whether it is a beauty box, coffees from around the world or gourmet treats, there is something for everyone.

A subscription to their favourite pastime is something they can unwind to and relax in their own time.


Fitness Gifts

For colleagues into their exercise, whether relaxed or high paced, there are plenty of gift ideas available. This type of gift encourages overall well being, physical and mental wellness.

Exercise is a healthy way of decompressing after those intense office days.


Wireless Earbuds

Wireless earbuds are great for any form of exercise from a gentle stroll to a full blown gym workout. They have the ability of allowing someone to enter a different world and escape normality for a while.

Listening to music or podcasts while working out keeps those motivation levels up and is great for those low energy moments.


Water bottle

Everyone knows the importance of staying hydrated at work. This becomes even more vital when we increase our energy levels.

Buying someone a water bottle is a great way of supporting their health and showing concern. You can get ones designed to keep liquids cool, ones with an infuser and ones that are marked to encourage frequent drinking.


Birthday Gifts For The Office

There are plenty of gift ideas based on an office environment. This might be a good idea for someone you do not know too well. It doesn’t need to be boring either – there are many fun and quirky office gift ideas.


Desk Plants

A desk plant can add some home comfort to the office desk. It also helps improve overall mental health and gives the recipient something to nurture.

It also helps to make the office seem less daunting to anyone that visits. You can buy a traditional plant or go for something quirky like a zen garden. Plants also help to purify air and create better air quality in the office. That makes plants an incredible wellbeing gift for staff. They are inexpensive, and attractive.


Personalised Mug Or Thermos Cup

Why not buy a personalised mug for your colleague? There are so many fun and original designs out there to choose from.

You can have one with a bespoke design which will make them feel valued and appreciated. If there is any cash leftover why not add their favourite drink into the gift? From tea and coffee through to fruit infused water sachets, the possibilities are endless.


Aromatherapy Diffuser

Nothing breaks up the tensions of the day quite like your favourite oil burning nearby. Having one for your colleague’s desk is a great idea for their birthday.

It is something that will be used over and over again and will benefit anyone in the vicinity. There are scents to relax to, some to destress with and some that help with anxiety. A great office desk gift idea.


Tips for Presentation

You will have spent time and effort seeking out the perfect birthday gift. This means you want the presentation to do it justice too. There is no point putting heaps of thought into the gift itself and then presenting it without preempting the situation.

  • Consider the wrapping paper carefully and match it to the occasion.
  • Add any extra details you feel are necessary such as bows, ribbon or gift tags.
  • Add a personal note or card in the gift so this can be read at a time to suit.
  • Present the gift at a time that suits so that everyone can wish their colleague a happy birthday.
  • Why not bring out the gift at break time so everyone can enjoy a slice of cake too?
  • If the staff member is quite shy then maybe a big fuss won’t suit their personality.

Do’s and Don’ts

There are some faux pas in the world of gifting which can make the experience less pleasant than expected. Follow our hints and tips below to ensure you stay on track when gifting your work colleague.

DO:

  • Bear in mind any cultural differences.
  • Consider any dietary requirements such as intolerances or allergies.
  • Keep in line with company policies when it comes to gifting colleagues.
  • Steer clear from gifts that are too personal or may cause offence.
  • Stick to the budget and remember this includes gift wrap and the card.

DON’T:

  • Rush the process, leaving gifts to the last minute can be stressful.
  • Overspend for one colleague. Gifts need to be fair for all.
  • Pick a busy time to present the gift.
  • Forget the note or card. This is something many colleagues will treasure.
  • Offend anyone with gifting – it makes people feel uncomfortable.

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