Creative Christmas Gifts & Gift Ideas

Being a boss is hard.  On the one hand, you've got to keep your co-workers in line, striking fear into their hearts when they think about leaving work at 3 pm to go to happy hour.  On the other hand, you've got to make your colleagues feel appreciated by doing all of those little things that boost their egos like complimenting them and giving them promotions.   You're even supposed to deflect praise meant for you onto them (incompetent underlings!).  Then you've got to get to know them all as individuals — yes, even Larry from Sales who talks endlessly about bowhunting and makes the same dumb knock-knock jokes every day.   As if that wasn't tiring enough, you've also got to pay people Christmas bonuses even when they regularly arrive to the office 45 minutes late looking scruffy and hung-over.  But most excruciatingly of all, you've got to come up with cheap Christmas gift ideas for co-workers.  With this post, we hope to make that last task a little easier.  With a little luck, your thoughtful gifts will make them feel a little guilty when they call you names behind your back.

Gift Ideas for Co-Workers #1: Plants

When it comes to office gifts, plants are right at the top of the list.  They're cheap (you can find many for under $5), they remind people that life exists outside the office (depending on what type of boss you are, this could be a bad thing), and they're as unpolitical as can be.  Plants are also especially good gifts for colleagues whose cubicles are more barren than the state of Nevada.  You might upset their delicate balance by throwing a plant into that wilderness of boringness, but it also might stand as a symbol of your appreciation.  Finally, you get to see who lets their plant die and who spends more time caring for it than they do working.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Colleague #2: Cool Notepads

If you've got any aspiring writers in your midst, you might want to consider getting them a cool notebook or set of small notebooks.  They'll probably fill them up with stories of your incompetence and wretchedness, but chances are they're not good enough to parlay a movie or book deal.

Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas at the Office #3:  Charming Keychains

Here's an office gift idea that's cheap, unique, and easy.  More importantly, it will constantly remind your co-workers of your excellence.  Find a dozen different little keychains (the bottle-shaped bottle opener, the mini flashlight, the state of Texas, a rabbit's foot, etc.) and then have your colleagues choose them from a grab-bag at a staff meeting.  Every time they lock their door, they'll think about the little gift you gave them (and maybe feel a little guilty for leaving work at 3 pm to go to happy hour).

Office Gift Ideas #4: Chocolate Oranges or European Chocolate

On principle alone, most people would never spend $4 on a luxury European candy bar or $6 on a chocolate orange.   When you could buy 7 Hershey's bars or bags of peanut M&M's for what you pay for one of those hoity-toity sweets, the exotic appeal of the European label vanishes completely.  However, most people would relish the chance to taste one of these luxuries.  Put a red bow around it and it will look like a million bucks.

Gift Ideas for your Co-Workers #5: Simple Art Supplies

By definition, offices repress people.  Deep inside, most of the droopy-eyed schmoes sitting around you putting together marketing plans and spreadsheets probably have some artistic talent (or at least some desire to break the routine and express their pent-up rage somehow).  A simple pack of watercolors or colored pencils might be just the thing.

Great Gift Ideas for Co-Workers #6: Cute Paperweights

Because using a pair of scissors just won't cut it, you might try to find a bunch of cool paperweights and let staff draw straws to decide who gets first pick.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Colleagues #7: Flasks

Maybe it's not the best idea on the planet, but booze keeps people going when their mind tells them that it's time to stop.  If you work late nights, having a little booze might pull you through the difficult stretches.  NOTE: It might not be a bad idea to put vodka in the flask and include some Redbulls.

Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas for Co-Workers #8: A New Alarm Clock

It's a pretty funny gift idea, but if you decide to get someone a new alarm clock, you've got to be on good terms with them.  It's not as rude as getting someone special resume paper, but it's close.

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for Colleagues #9: Whoopie Cushions and Fake Mustaches

No matter the occasion or the reason, whoopie cushions and fake mustaches are always incredible gift ideas.  It's important to add a little humor around the office every once in awhile – just make sure that you're not the one who uses these things.  They're supposed to be for your colleagues to poke fun at you.