I love the holidays, but let’s be real, it can be stressful-decorating your home, attending all of the holiday parties, baking/cooking for potlucks at work, and shopping all while still working a full-time job. It’s A LOT!

Depending on the dynamic you have with your colleagues, you may or may not buy them a holiday gift. And since we’re being honest, I always struggle with this gesture. A big part of it for me is just being indecisive on what to get colleagues that are on my team or that I work with closely. My indecisiveness always leads to me running out of time. Before I know it, I’m receiving gifts and I only have a “Aw, thank you” to return to them.

This season, I received great gifts that I thought were good examples of personal and can’t-go-wrong items that I wanted to share with you.

A Personal Touch

One of the gifts I received this year was a handwritten thank you note in a frame. With all of the digital work that we do, who even writes letters anymore? As nostalgic as they are the gesture was so good that I’m doing this next year.

I think we all have moments of self-doubt on our job where we don’t really feel like we’ve done our best. Maybe we’re low on creative ideas, maybe we’ve experienced a life change that’s affecting us, or maybe we’re just feeling fatigued. Whatever the reason, it’s great to know that you’re valued and an asset to those you work with.

Placing those kind words in a frame is a bonus gift. Your colleague can place it on their desk as a reminder or add a nice picture over it. Either way, they’ve received two great gifts from you-words of encouragement and a nice frame to house a photo.

Holiday Chocolates

For me, this is the time of year where everything I eat is fat and calorie free. What’s that you say? You got me a box of Ghirardelli chocolates? Why, thank you! I will eat and enjoy this box because if nothing else is true this season, for all of the work I am doing I deserve these.

I don’t know anyone who does not like chocolate. Not to say that people don’t, I just don’t know them. I received a pack of Almond Roca this season. Aside from peanuts, it’s the only other nut that I can eat without an allergic reaction ensuing. And honestly, I haven’t had Almond Roca in so long that I forgot how good it was. I may need to pick up another pack of these on my next store run just to have some around the house for the next week.

If you’re a really, really good co-worker who lives in reality and knows that chocolate is never fat free, another thoughtful gift I received is some relaxation tea. Talk about a great way to tell someone you hope they have a relaxing holiday break. Bless you, doll.

Gift Cards

I know a lot of people feel like gift cards are so impersonal, but I actually love gift cards! Why? Remember a little earlier when I said I tend to be indecisive? Yeah, that. It’s hard for me to give anyone a good gift idea for me, but you can never go wrong with giving me a gift card.

With gift cards, as with nuts, it’s really important to know how a person will react to them so make sure you feel them out before going this route. When it comes to gift cards though my top three of choice are any monetary brand (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc…), Amazon, or Target.

Check out a few of the great gifts I received below. With that, I wish you the best of luck gifting to your colleagues.

Co-worker Holiday Gift Ideas

Creating New Holiday Traditions