11 Coworker Gifts That Are Better Than Another Mug

Everyone’s cubicle looks the same–with coffee mugs from years and years of office gift-giving. Whether it’s the corporate picnic that gave out the free ceramic mugs or it’s your coworker’s annual birthday gift for you, sometimes getting yet another coffee mug as a gift is a bit of a drag. Sure, coffee mugs come in all shapes, colors and sizes (so it makes sense why so many people gift them to each other often), but sometimes you need a bit of a change. Here are 11 gifts you can give your coworkers that are better than yet another coffee mug.

• Plant: A plant is a great gift to give your coworkers. Not only do plants spruce up any office space, but some plants thrive in artificial light, including spider plants and snake plants. For years, many scientists agreed that household plants significantly purify the air and, while some argue the opposite, it doesn’t hurt to have some plants scattered around the office. If your coworkers suffer from asthma or allergies, you can find a variety of faux plants at your local craft store. Don’t forget to transfer the plant into a new planter. You can even decorate one and paint a unique pattern onto it!

• Tea Bags and Infuser: Not everyone drinks coffee (shocker, right?!). So, if you know which of your coworkers prefer tea or hot chocolate over coffee, get them some loose leaf tea and a unique infuser to steep it with! Most offices have a Keurig around, so your coworkers can use that to brew hot water for their tea. They’ll love having an infuser to use directly in the office instead of having to bring one back and forth from home!

• Lotion or Hand Cream: No, you’re not trying to send a message that you noticed your coworker’s dry skin, but you do know that your coworker is always pulling a tube of lotion out of her bag or desk to put on her hands throughout the day. Pay attention to the scent and brand she uses. Then, you can either get that exact one or find another one similar to it. If they are easily stressed, science has shown that lotions infused with lavender can create a calming effect. They’ll stay relaxed even through a long meeting!

• Desk Calendar: Desk calendars are a great personalized gift for coworkers because they can actually be used while at work! Even if they typically use digital calendars, they can still use a desk calendar to quickly reference dates. You can also find mouse pads that have calendars on them–another great alternative to the standard wall calendar! Make sure to add a monogram to turn the standard office gift into something personal.

• Monogrammed Portfolio: If you work in a field that requires employees to keep up a portfolio of work, such as architecture, engineering or design, a monogrammed portfolio is a perfect gift option! They’ll never get it mixed up with any other coworkers’ portfolios, and it’ll look sleek for any new clients they pitch to. Try and find one that also has pockets for different items, including business cards and a legal pad. A simple leather or leatherette material looks classy and professional, sure to take their pitching skills to the next level.

• Personalized Pen: A pen is another practical personalized gift, especially for your coworkers. You can never have enough pens! Find one that you can personalize, either with your coworker’s name, a thoughtful message or a funny inside joke between the two of you. Your coworker will be sure not to lose the pen you gift them!

• Insulated Wine Tumbler: If you’re going to get your coworker drinkware, think outside the box. An insulated wine tumbler or an engraved beer growler are great options, especially if you know how your coworkers enjoy their downtime outside of the office. Some tumblers you can have personalized, too, with monograms or catchy phrases that represent their likes or personality.

• An Umbrella: It never fails that one day the forecast will be wrong, and it’ll start raining buckets halfway through the workday. Gift your coworkers umbrellas to use on those emergency days. They’ll be so glad to have something to use if they forgot to bring a raincoat!

• Chunky Blanket: If your coworker is always complaining about how cold they are, gift them a chunky blanket this year! You can either start the habit of hand-knitting or you can find one pre-made. Either way, look for yarn or fabric that insulates heat rather than letting it escape. Wool, fleece and flannel are great options.

• Stainless Steel Water Bottle: If your coworker breaks the record for ounces-of-water-consumed per day, a stainless steel water bottle is your go-to gift for them this year. Stainless steel is completely recyclable, plus it doesn’t break as easily as glass or hold on to lingering after-tastes like plastic. Even though they’re a bit more expensive than a coffee mug would be, they’ll last much longer and your coworker will use it consistently throughout the day. Many companies now carry stainless steel water bottles and you can choose from flip lids, screw tops and straws to go along with the bottle.

• Candy or Snacks: While it might seem like the “easy way out,” your coworkers will love it if you gift them their favorite candy and snacks this year. It never fails that the afternoon munchies hit and your coworkers will be forever grateful for the stash of snacks they can easily find in their desk. In fact, having candy or snacks available on their desk is a great way to encourage coworker conversation. On top of that, if you work in a field that caters to vulnerable populations, such as refugees or individuals with mental illness, it can also serve as an icebreaker with clients who might be hesitant to come to your office. Make sure you pay attention to any allergies your coworkers have–especially to nuts or dyes–prior to purchasing the candy for them.

Author Bio:

Ashley Peterson is the Director of Marketing at GiftsForYouNow. Her favorite part of the job is connecting others with sentimental and personalized gifts that foster lifelong memories. Ashley is also a mother of two and enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the outdoors.