The holidays are fast approaching, which means your office is probably in the throes of organizing a Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange. And that means you’re knee-deep in wondering what gift-worthy something you could possibly find without breaking the bank (or busting the very-low ceiling of your office gift limit).
Editor’s Pick
Kikkerland Concrete Desktop Planter
Great choice for your green-thumbed coworkers. Livens up any dull work space.$15.96
We’ve been there, done that. And by that, we mean we’ve done the shopping for you. We’ve rounded up 25 coworker-pleasing holiday gifts that are sometimes smart, sometimes punny, and almost always functional. And we’ve kept them under $25, with a bunch hanging out at the $10 or $15 mark. This year is your year. Finally, everyone will want to steal away your White Elephant contribution.
For your coworkers with the style to turn a cubicle into an art show, there’s no better way to mark the days than this 2023 BAN.DO wall calendar. It’s packed with 12 months of rad artwork, courtesy of the brand’s girl gang, and is guaranteed to put a little inspiration into any workspace. Plus, stickers! This calendar will be the talk of the office holiday party.
Key Features:
- 12-month calendar runs January 2023-December 2023
- 11.75” x 8”
- Metallic silver cover
It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Now you can subtlety invite yourself over for drinks, when you gift a favorite coworker with these wine glass charms. They’re cute little cork numbers, with varied and punny sayings, like “I wine A LOT” and “cloud wine,” and we bet the office will think it’s a perfect gift. Depending on your price range, pair with a nice (well, under-$15 nice) bottle of wine, and you’re golden.
Key Features:
- Set of 12 cork charms
- Each charm measure 1” in diameter, and is 0.19 inches thick
- Easy-to-hook loop attachment method
Who doesn’t love a good novelty mug? (Answer: No one. Everyone drinks coffee, or tea, or at least water.) While many novelty mugs are a little too racy for an office gift exchange, this safe-for-work version strikes just the right balance of kitchy and cool. Seriously. The heat-activated, color-change effect is pretty sweet – and educational. Learning the constellations will never again feel like studying for a test.
Key Features:
- 10 oz. ceramic mug
- Constellations include: Cassiopea, Perseus, Saggitarius, Hercules, Andromeda, Scorpius, Taurus, Ursa Major (Big Dipper), Ursa Minor (Little Dipper), Orion, Gemini.
- Hand wash only
With this infuser mug, you’re sure to please even the most pretentious tea-drinker in the group. The super-fine infuser/strainer can handle even the smallest loose tea leaves, and your gift recipient is sure to appreciate that the whole shebang – infuser included – can be thrown in the dishwasher at the end of the day. Provided your office has a dishwasher.
Key Features:
- Available in 11 colors
- Extra-fine 3mm-hole stainless-steel infuser
- Mug crafted from lead-free, high-fired ceramic; tea infuser crafted from stainless steel
Welcome to a new frontier in rain gear: the reverse-folding umbrella! If you think the umbrella industry couldn’t innovate any further, you were wrong. This incredibly cool, extremely functional design reverse-closes – the mechanism slides up, not down the shaft and the umbrella itself closes in on itself – to trap water and keep both your giftee (and the car floor) dry.
Key Features:
- 11 colors/designs available
- Double-layer pongee umbrella cloth, with 8 fiber bones and a carbon fiber stick
- Drip-free, hands-free designs stands up by itself
Okay, so this one’s more of a stocking stuffer, gag gift, or fun extra to round out a bigger gift, but it’s golden. Nifty Notes always offer snappy, sometimes sarcastic notes, and these Office Citations are no different: With this gift, your recipient is now the proud owner of one of the most productive, most passive-aggressive work gifts ever. You’ll no doubt be the hero of the White Elephant game!
Key Features:
- Measures 4” x 5.25”
- Passive-aggressive notes deliver modern-day etiquette for the masses
- Reprimand coworkers for their absentminded humming, insufficient kitchen cleanup, and other office offenses
If your office is down with NSFW humor, then this is THE gift to give. Cards Against Humanity is the original “party game for horrible people,” guaranteed to make you snort spiked eggnog out of your nose. If your coworkers have already played this inappropriate game, not to worry: CAH has been updated with 150 new cards for all-new laughs. And hey, if NSFW doesn’t fit your office vibe, give the gift of Exploding Kittens.
Key Features:
- Contains 500 white cards + 100 black cards for maximum replayability
- 0% of proceeds are donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Packed in America’s #1 gerbil coffin
Bring a little bit of bad*ssery (and excitement) to your office holiday party, with these awesome ninja star magnets. In addition to looking fierce on a filing cabinet or office fridge, these tough little guys are strong enough to hold up important memos (pair with Office Citation notes, above?), photos, and other reminders. They may also help you fight off the zombie apocalypse, so we’re calling these a gift-exchange must.
Key Features:
- Pack of 5 ninja stars
- Materials: Hard plastic + a magnet
- Magnets are fitted to the back, so they look like real throwing stars
Dun-dun-dun, dun-dun-dun, dun-dun dun! Invite Darth Vader to crash your holiday party with this way-too-cool Death Star cutting board. Not only does it look great but it’s also fully operational (muahaha) with strong glass surface and non-skid feet. If you work in a geek-rich environment, this one’s guaranteed to be stolen, again and again, during your White Elephant exchange.
Key Features:
- Odor- and stain-resistant glass surface is heat-resistant up to 350ºF
- Non-slip rubber base for safety
- Officially licensed Star Wars product
If you’re worried no one at the office will like your gift, here’s a safe bet. After all, few people in this world don’t love the sound and smell of a fresh, crackling fire. Enter this innovative little candle, which not only smells like a freshly built fire, but sounds like one, too! Bonus points for a super slow-burning candle, which lasts up to 100 hours.
Key Features:
- 10 oz. jar candle provides fragrance for up to 100 hours
- Natural wooden wick crackles like a real fire
- Natural scents of amber, vetiver and musk to perfectly capture the essence of a cozy evening by a warm fire
Whether your giftee-to-be is a serious film buff or just appreciates a good drink, this quirky (and punny) recipe book is sure to please. No matter the cinematic stripe, there’s a drink to match: Ti-tonic, Some Spike It Hot, Taxi Screw-Driver, and West Cider Story, just to name a few. “Gone with the Gin” includes 50+ delicious drinks and movie-themed munchies, with a side of film commentary throughout.
Key Features:
- 50+ drink and snack recipes
- Gift-worthy hardcover
- Pairs well with other recipe books in the series, including “Tequila Mockingbird” and “Shakespeare, Not Stirred”
Have a coworker who’s constantly munching on something crunchy? He’ll love this hand-blown glass bowl, which is not only classy but functional to boot! The contemporary design is shaped like an old-time goody bag, similar to what you’d find in a 1950s era five-and-dime candy shop, with realistic crinkled edges and sides. Beyond candy, it’s also perfect for holding nuts, pretzels, and other desk snacks.
Key Features:
- Measures approximately 5” x 5” x 6”
- Hand-blown borosilicate glass construction is dishwasher safe
- Packaged in a sturdy box for gifting
Speaking of old-fashioned, if your coworker likes to blow off steam with a traditional game of darts, look no further in your gifting than this set. This dartboard uses a powerful magnet to hold darts in place, thus eliminating the need for sharp-pointed darts. Bonus: since there are no safety hazards here, you may even be able to convince your coworker to install this board in the break room!
Key Features:
- 16” dartboard + 3 red darts and 3 green darts
- Easy to install: keyhole slot hangs on almost any nail or hook
- 365-day, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee
Coworker with a black thumb? Real-look, artificial plants can be her saving grace. We really like these artificial succulents, which come in attractive glass vases and sit nestled in pebble beds. They’re perfect to sit on a desk, bookshelves, or even to hang on the wall or from the ceiling (jute hangers, not included), if your gift-recipient has interior design tendencies.
Key Features:
- Includes 4 artificial succulents, each in their own vase
- Each vase measures 3” x 2.75”
- Real-look plants add elegance to your office desk
Every now and then, you run across a gift so stunning that you can’t believe it’s in your price range. That’s how we feel about these beautiful coasters, sliced from natural-dyed agate geodes. They’re a definite focal point on any coffee table (or office desk) – a great choice for hard-to-gift coworkers with style (and who seemingly have everything). We love all the colors, too!
Key Features:
- 9 available colors
- Each coaster sports 4 rubber bumpers, to protect furniture
- Coaster weight about 2 oz. each, and measure 3.25” X 3.25” X 0.125”
If your coworker has jumped onto the adult-coloring bandwagon, then look no further than this perfect gift. Prismacolor soft-core colored pencils are The Pencils for semi-serious colorers: strong and break-resistant, while laying down beautiful shades and rich colors. We really like this gift set, which includes a soft-core sharpener and squeaks (due to sheer merit!) onto our list at just $1 above our $25 threshold.
Key Features:
- Includes 48 soft-core pencils + dual-port pencil sharpener
- Ultra-smooth, richly saturated pigments
- Strong leads resist cracking or chipping
Sloths are “on trend,” making this plush a great choice for your Millennial-aged coworkers, but they’re also one of the cutest animals in the world, making this also a perfect gift for anyone at a holiday party. We like this realistic three-toed sloth plush, which is not only adorable but highly cuddle-able, thanks to soft fabric and squishy insides.
Key Features:
- Measures 12” tall
- Detailed design crafted from fine fabrics
- Realistic markings replicate a real three-toed sloth
We’re circling back to desktop decorations, this time with a choice for your green-thumbed coworkers. This modern, clean concrete planter is a perfect accouterment atop any desk, offering a space for a small plant and a terraced base to hold pens, business cards, or other office supplies. Let’s call it a new taking on going green at the office.
Key Features:
- Desktop planter fashioned from solid concrete
- Measures 3.8” x 3.5” x 3.2”
- Sections for a plant and office supplies
Who isn’t fascinated by perpetual motion? Of course, real perpetual motion is impossible but this battery-operated, desktop art asteroid comes pretty close! Simply spin the top to set the galaxy in motion, then watch the planets spin their way around the sun – again and again and again. It’s mesmerizing. It’s interesting. And it’s a great way to procrastinate on work. (Just don’t tell your boss.)
Key Features:
- Great for outer space, physics and science enthusiasts
- Crafted from metal and plastic
- Requires one 9V battery (not included)
Office gift-exchanges are a great opportunity to buy fun gadgets, décor, and what-nots that you know your recipient wouldn’t otherwise buy. These bookends fit that description: they’re stainless steel, they’re nonskid, and they’re shaped like little men. They also successfully hold up your giftee’s books, so they fulfill their promised function.
Key Features:
- Measure 2.76” x 6.1” x 7.3”
- Nonskid, padded bases protect furniture and prevent slipping
- Vertical organization does not easily tip
Gift your coworker the joy of fresh, delicious coffee, even at his desk. This pour-over coffee maker from big-name Bodum is the perfect blend of quality coffee-maker and low-tech, no-fancy-anythings required: simply add a great coffee, pour hot water, and you have a seriously good afternoon cup of java. Without even leaving your desk.
Key Features:
- 10 colors available
- Crafted from mouth-blown borosilicate glass and a stainless steel mesh filter
- Dishwasher safe
Want a gift that’ll get a laugh (while still being somewhat functional)? These crab pincher-shaped pot holders are always a favorite: sure, they’re silly and good for a smile, but the thick, heat-resistant silicone effectively protects hands from oven and stovetop heat. They’ll come in handy when you’re in a pinch, if you know what we mean!
Key Features:
- Two potholders included
- Heat-resistant silicone protects hands from high heats
- Slip-resistant pot holders make it easy to grip lids, handles, and other kitchen tools
For the wellness guru at the office, this 100% natural Himalayan salt lamp is sure to please. Not only does it provide beautiful and relaxing mood lighting, but this handy little lamp is also touch-controlled and dimmable – put it anywhere, and it’ll throw off appropriate levels of pleasant, amber light. We bet your gift-recipient will also like the attractive craft basin, which showcases the natural beauty of the salt rock.
Key Features:
- 100% real Himalayan salt from Khewra, Pakistan
- Powered by a USB or AC adapter
- 2-year limited warranty
For the coworker who’s just barely hanging on to the sane side of the stress pendulum, this desktop sand garden is a much-appreciated holiday gift. A proven meditation device (and stylish desktop accessory), this compact sand garden is a good distraction from stressful moments. We also like to think of it as the original fidget spinner – a calming way to center yourself, after a hectic day.
Key Features:
- Garden measures 8.5” x 0.4” x 6.7”
- Includes 1 wooden tray, 2 rack tools, sand, and assorted decorations
- Natural stress reliever and creative outlet
Cell phone photographer in the office gift pool? You will be a holiday hero with this add-on lens kit, which offers a universal clip lens hood, wide-angle lens, macro lens, and UV filter compatible with almost any smartphone. This handy invention fills the gap between what a phone camera can do and what it actually does, helping even causal photographers capture great photos from their phones.
Key Features:
- Professional-quality HD optical glass with AU multi-layer coating and built-in UV filter
- Included 40+ page photography guide
- Compatible with iPhone, Samsung, Huawai, and other popular cell phone brands
