Win at Gift-Giving Holiday Gift Ideas for Colleagues According to Your Budget

It’s that time of the year again. With holidays around the corner, your workplace will likely engage everyone in a Secret Santa or other gift-giving activities where you and your co-workers will be assigned someone to give gifts to within a particular budget.

Perhaps you would simply like to thank your colleagues for a wonderful year of working together, and giving gifts is your way of showing gratitude. But when you are sticking to a particular budget, where do you even begin? Fortunately, there are several items of choice you can gift your colleagues that do not have to cost a lot or put a dent in your savings.

How to participate in gift-giving with your colleagues

Do you find the entire exchange of giving gifts to your co-workers a little corny? Even if that may be the case, providing your colleagues with presents, even little ones, is a thoughtful way to create and strengthen ties at work. This is especially important in the workplace as rapport helps you accomplish tasks more effectively at work, especially if you would have to rely on them to get things done.

That said, there are some unwritten rules about giving gifts to your co-workers, which can be different from how you would give gifts to others, such as friends or family members. Here are some of them.

1. Stick to a budget.

This normally should not be a problem as it is common practice for workplaces to explicitly set a budget so that everyone can join in the fun without having to worry about spending too much. But in the event that your office has failed to set a price ceiling for holiday gift-giving, it is generally a good rule to stay within a particular budget. Base it on last year’s tradition: How much were the usual gifts worth? Aim for a similar amount that your colleagues will be spending.

If you are new to the company, then it is not a bad idea to ask around if they had a set budget for the previous year. Try to aim to spend around a particular range. Too low, and people would think that you’re a cheapskate. If you spend too high, then it could be misinterpreted as flattery, especially if you’re trying to gift a manager or a supervisor.

2. Be thoughtful but not too personal.

It is generally a good idea to be thoughtful about choosing a gift for your colleague, especially if you were specifically assigned to someone. Try picking something close to that colleague’s interest. Is that colleague into food? Then choose a food item they will likely enjoy. Do they like painting? A brush set would be an appropriate and well-appreciated present.

That said, it’s important to balance between the thoughtful and too personal. Be sure not to go over the line, even if you think you mean well. Save for scarves, hats, and sunglasses, try avoiding giving clothing items as much as you can — this can either be seen as being cheap or presumptuous, as clothing can get too personal. Avoid giving underwear at all costs.

3. Be fair to everyone.

If you plan on giving gifts to people outside of your Secret Santa exchange, then it is best to be fair to everyone in order to avoid miscommunication at work. Refrain from only choosing who to give to in a team; don’t give gifts only to your favourite manager if you work with more than one. If you must give gifts, give small gifts to everyone. 

4. Avoid generic gifts.

Even if you’re not feeling the spirit of the holidays, this is not an excuse for you to translate this into your gifts for your co-workers. As much as you can, avoid generic and overdone presents such as picture frames, alarm clocks, or a calendar.

Ready to choose a gift for your colleague? Here are some fun, interesting, helpful, and affordable gift ideas based on your budget.

Colleague gift ideas: Food items

Food items make great gifts, especially if you know your colleague is into food. Food items are also especially festive, so they add some great holiday cheer. The best part is that they don’t have to be expensive. Here are some treats you can give your co-workers for the season.

Below RM50

Sweets such as chocolate will usually go over well with recipients, particularly if you know them to have a sweet tooth. Royce offers several choices under its Christmas Collection that hit your budget. There’s the Popcorn Chocolate ‘Honey Fromage’, caramelised and coated popcorn in cheese-flavoured white chocolate for a mix of sweet and savoury flavours. For a more traditional gift, you can also offer the Chocolate Mix For Drink — after all, it’s not the Christmas season without hot chocolate.

Signature Market also offers various snack sets that make for festive treats this holiday season. At only RM40, Christmas Miracles Gift Set includes their bestselling nuts and snacks, including Premium Caramel Popcorn, Tempeh Bites, Chunky Peanut Butter, Classic Nut Mix Mini Pack, Low Carb Mix Mini Pack, and Omega-3 Trail Mix Mini Pack.

Signature Market’s Snack N’ Sleigh (RM50) includes sweet and savoury treats such as Crispy Baked Brown Rice Ring,  Omega-3 Trail Mix,  Premium Caramel Popcorn, and Thai Dried Mango — as well as a gold-rimmed round plate.

Know someone who loves cakes? Instead of settling for one flavour, why not go for at least three? Yubake’s Rasa Sayang Box lets you gift between three to four different cake slices, such as Gula Melaka Pandan Coconut Cake, Chocolate Moist Cake, Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake, and Lemon Poppy Seed Cake between RM39 to RM49.

If you wish to go the healthier route, Amazin’Graze also offers hearty and delicious treats without the guilt of indulgence. At RM39.90, the Nut Variety Box offers yummy nut flavours such as Coconut Curry Lime, Sweet Chilli Nut, Pandan Coconut, and Miso Seaweed in one gift pack. They also offer a Sweet-and-Savoury 3-in-1 Snack Bundle with Nut Mix, Brownie Chips, and Trail Mix (RM40.20). 

Below RM100

Royce has more fitting gift-giving ideas under its Christmas Collection, including these Christmas Baton Cookies 'Coconut' light, crispy, and golden baton cookies, individually coated in milk chocolate and wrapped in special Christmas packaging. They also offer round chocolate discs in Pure Chocolate Milk & Creamy White, as well as its popular gift set, Chocolat No Shiki Hokkaido ‘Winter’. Still can’t decide? Then opt for Happy Selection, which contains 28 treats in six varieties!

Meanwhile, Godiva also offers a sweet gift option under RM100 with a Santa Box containing 10 G Cube Truffles (RM79) — in lovely Santa-themed packaging and different flavours of its indulgent chocolate truffles.

You can also find decadent snack gift sets under RM100. Signature Market offers the Jolly Bites Gift Set (RM60), Yuletide Magic Gift Set (RM80), and Santa’s Delight Gift Set (RM100). These include their bestselling snacks, as well as freebies such as a ceramic canister, a ceramic travel mug, and a deluxe selection of a coffee and tea gift set.

Colleague gift ideas: Gadgets and accessories

Gadgets and accessories will go over well with your colleague, whether or not they’re a techie. Tech items can help make life easier. The best part is that there are several gadgets and tech accessories that can fit your budget.

Below RM50

A power bank is such a handy tool nowadays that it’s the kind of gift that will always be appreciated — even if your colleague already has one. There are several power banks available that cost less than RM50 that can be especially useful for travel.

Below RM100

There are also several wireless earbuds available on the market for under RM100. Wireless earbuds are perfect for your colleague who is always on the go.

Meanwhile, wireless chargers are steadily becoming popular as more phones continue to carry wireless charging capabilities. 

Colleague gift ideas: Beauty and body care

Do you have a colleague who loves beauty products? The right personal care products can make for thoughtful gifts too.

Below RM50

Thinking about what to get your beauty-minded colleague without breaking the bank? Gift cards or vouchers will be much appreciated. Watsons and Sephora each offer RM50 gift vouchers, so your co-worker can shop to their hearts’ delight.

Below RM100

L’Occitane has gorgeous and elegant gifts for your beauty-minded colleague, even under RM100. The Balance & Purify and Balance & Volumise Hair Kits are at RM60, while the fragrant Cherry Blossom Trio, which includes hand cream, shower gel, and perfumed soap, is at RM65. You can also gift something a little more special with L’Occitane’s almond range, with Almond Softness House at RM65, or the Almond Body Kit at RM88.

For a luxurious set, gift the Petit Roses (RM79), which includes soap, eau de toilette, and hand cream.

Finding affordable gifts doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little bit of heart and imagination, you can certainly make your colleague’s holiday season a memorable one! For more expert advice on connecting with your co-workers during the holidays, visit the Career Resources Hub.