It can be challenging to find the right gift for a coworker even when youre sharing an office. Now that many offices have gone virtual, it may feel even more difficult to pick out that perfect coworker gift. Its still important to make the effort, though, and especially if youre in a position to do so, said Hani Goldstein, CEO of Snappy Gifts, which helps employers and coworkers send gifts digitally.
The regular way we connect is so much harder these days. We cant give a cake in the office. We cant have a holiday party. So we have to look for alternatives, Goldstein told Shopping. Sending something shows how much you care and value someone.
Best gifts for coworkers
The best gifts for coworkers might make it easier to work from home or help them forget, even for just a minute, the fact that they are working from home.
This low-profile laptop stand from Rain was recommended by an NBC News Shopping contributor earlier this year. Its slim with storage space for a keyboard and a spot to organize your cables in back. Its light enough to travel from room to room but it doesnt fold up if you were looking to store it when its not in use.
Speks might be just the distraction your coworker needs right now. The flexible, silicone desk toy, previously featured as one of Shoppings New & Notable picks, keeps hands busy stacking different creations during a full slate of video conferencing calls. It comes in blue, green, grey and red.
A Wi-Fi range extender from TP-Link helps make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal wherever you are in the house. It was tapped as one of the best Wi-Fi range extenders by Shopping contributor Whitson Gordon as a low-cost option that slightly helps reduce troublesome internet dead spots.
Adding a bit of technology to your home setup can be as simple as putting the Kasa Smart Plug in a socket. This smart home tech, tapped as one of the top-rated smart plugs, lets you control a plugged-in device with a smartphone app. The Kasa Smart Plug is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana.
Bring your coworker a little merry and bright with the NEST New York Holiday Reed Diffuser. Pomegranate, cinnamon, pine and clove fragrances are released over three months from the glass container. The diffuser reeds, just one of the ways you can bring warmth into your coworkers home this winter, come in a glass overlaid with a gold pattern.
Staying hydrated can feel like work but this fruit infuser water bottle from Opard can make drinking water a lot more interesting. The 30-ounce, BPA-free plastic bottle comes with a basket for holding fruits or herbs, and a small cleaning brush. A rubber grip and flip top help prevent spills, while an ounce-marker on the side lets you track how much water youve drank.
Pick an inspirational quote or craft a silly message to brighten up someones day with the Funderdome felt letter board. The 10-inch square board has 340 removable letters, numbers, icons and emojis so everyone can know how a coworker feels before they even say anything out loud. The oak-framed board can be hung on the wall or placed on the included stand.
Help someone get out of their office chair with these TaoTronics wireless earbuds. Gordon noted the earbuds AirPods-esque stick shape in a piece about the best wireless earbuds and headphones. The earbuds have Hi-Fi stereo sound and last up to seven hours on a full charge.
A notebook nod to National Parks from Field Notes that lets you feel like youre traveling across America could be a welcome respite right now. This trio of memo books have 48 pages of graph paper and can fit in a pocket. Each 3 ½ x 5 ½-inch notebook comes with a brief history of the National Park on the cover and a spot for you to get a stamp when you can visit it in person.
Where to find gifts for coworkers
Goldstein acknowledged its easy to opt for a gift card but encourages people to take the time to get an actual gift this year. Gift cards take the effort away from the gift giver, Goldstein explained. But it makes a gift really transactional and you lose the magic of opening a gift.
Elaine Swann, founder of the Swann School of Protocol, treasures a small desktop tea set she was gifted by a coworker. It meant something to me because a coworker put in the effort to know what I like, Swann says. She recommended you try to personalize a gift, too, but avoid lotions or perfume or anything that may likewise send the wrong message.
Your coworker doesnt know the reason behind something, Swann explained. You dont want to make someone uncomfortable.
You may be able to find insight online about a coworkers interests, too. They may post about hobbies on social media Swann suggests looking for clues on your next Zoom call. Spend a couple extra minutes on a video conference call so you can make sure theres some meaning behind your gift, Swann advised.
You can find gifts tailored for coworkers at a number of major retailers. Here are some of the spots carrying troves of coworker-appropriate gifts:
If youre looking at sending gifts to multiple coworkers or are in charge of holiday gifts for your office, there are a series of companies, in addition to Snappy Gifts, that specialize in broader coworker gifts, among them:
Catch up on the latest from NBC News Shopping guides and recommendations and download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Looking for the perfect gift? Check out the Shop TODAY Holiday Plaza.
Here are the best gifts for coworkers in 2020. Shop gift ideas for coworkers this holiday from a laptop stand, Wi-Fi range extender, smart plug and more.
