Gifts

What to give colleagues for the New Year: ideas that do not put anyone in an awkward spot

A gift for a colleague should be pleasant and neutral: not to offend, not to oblige and not to look too personal. Here are ideas and rules that work almost every time.

October 12, 2026 · 2 min read

In this article
  1. Principles of choosing
  2. Ideas for shared gifts
  3. Ideas for personal gifts
  4. For a manager and for subordinates
  5. What better not to give

Principles of choosing

  • Neutrality. Avoid anything too personal: perfume, clothes, cosmetics.
  • Universality. Treats, tea, useful small things for home or work suit almost everyone.
  • Equality. Gifts for colleagues are best bought in one price range.
  • Practicality. A useful thing beats a decorative one that only takes up space.

Ideas for shared gifts

  • A box of treats for the whole team.
  • A board game for the office or shared evenings.
  • A coffee or tea set for the kitchen.
  • A New Year decoration or a string of lights for the workspace.

Ideas for personal gifts

  • A travel mug, a water bottle or a lunch box.
  • A notebook, a planner or a good pen.
  • A gift card to a favorite café or bookshop.
  • A useful small thing for the workplace: a stand, an organizer, a lamp.

For a manager and for subordinates

A gift for a manager is better collected together than individually, so it does not look like an attempt to win favour. A manager can give gifts to subordinates on behalf of the team or the company, but of equal price.

What better not to give

  • Perfume, underwear and other personal cosmetics.
  • Alcohol, if you are not sure the person drinks.
  • Jokes about looks or age.
  • Expensive things that make the person feel obliged.

If your team plays Secret Santa it is even easier: everyone buys one gift for one person. How to organize it: Secret Santa at the office.

Try it in Bazhanka

Play Secret Santa

Answers about gifts

Frequently asked questions

What gift amount is normal?

For Secret Santa it is usually UAH 200-1000, for a colleague UAH 200-500. What matters is that the amount is comfortable for everyone and puts nobody in an awkward position.

What should I give a person who has everything?

Choose something that can be used up rather than kept: good tea or coffee, treats, tickets or an experience voucher, a book or a course that matches their interests. If the person has a wishlist, look at what has not been bought yet.

What if I know nothing about the person?

Look at their wishlist, ask mutual friends, or pick something universal: tea, a candle, treats or a useful small thing for the home.

What can I give if I have no money?

Rely on attention, not on price: something handmade, a framed photo, a card with warm words or help the person really needs. In Secret Santa the budget is a maximum, so a symbolic gift is perfectly fine.

What can I give a colleague for under UAH 500?

Neutral options: a travel mug, good tea or coffee, a set of treats, a notebook, a gift card for a bookshop or a café. Avoid anything too personal: perfume, clothes, cosmetics.

Can I spend more than the budget?

Better not to. If your gift is much more expensive, the person who gives to you may feel uncomfortable. A warm note or a card costs nothing and is always welcome.

All questions and answers

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