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It’s always hard to know what to get the people you work with. If you “gift up,” meaning getting something for your boss, what is the appropriate amount to spend and how personal should it be? If you “gift down,” meaning giving to people who work for you, the same questions apply. I tend to think that getting something personal for people with whom you work closely is always a nice idea, but as far as what exactly that should be, getting something that can be used in or near the office is always a safe bet.
It’s always nice to receive a gift that you wouldn’t buy yourself, and since we spend so many of our waking hours at our desks, something pretty to make it a more pleasant place is probably a good idea, no?
Bernard Maisner elephant or lady bug customized paperweight, $125, bernardmaisner.com
No one has ever bought themselves a paperweight, which is what makes it a perfect gift. Wouldn’t it be lovely to look at this every day?
Jonathan Adler Benevolent Dictator or Corporate Hippie needlepoint pillow, $98, jonathanadler.com
This really depends on how much of a sense of humor your colleague has, but what office wouldn’t be more fun with these pillows?
L’Artisan Amber Ball, $155, jenniekayne.com
You probably can’t light candles in your office, so this amber ball is the perfect scent solution.
Tory Burch Foundation Seed Box, $98, toryburch.com
This gift that gives back is a win-win for everyone.
The Green Vase Garden Rose paper flower, $63, heroshopsf.com
Flowers die but these beautiful paper ones will freshen up your office year-round.
Connor monkey or emoji easel calendar, $135, barneys.com
Your Google calendar renders this mostly decorative but everyone should still have a real calendar!
FEED + Mouth Winter Warm-Up Box, $78, mouth.com; Emma Bridgewater personalized Summer Cherries one-pint mug, $44, emmabridgewater.co.uk
The perfect gift for the caffeine addict: tea or coffee with the cheeriest, personalized, extra-big mug.
Urban Stems The Lucy planter, $50, urbanstems.com
This succulent dino is sure to make the grumpiest colleague smile
Studio Carta rooster embroidery scissors, $60, libertylondon.com; hippopotamus stapler, $53, brigittetanaka.com
Go a cut above Staples and give some office supplies that add a little whimsy as well as function
Astier de Villatte by John Derian Agaric Couleur de Soufre or Agaric Meurtrier saucers, $92, johnderian.com
A beautiful trinket dish is just at home on a desk filled with paper clips or at home holding jewelry.
Pentreath
Hall alphabet brush pot, $54, pentreath-hall.com
The perfect pen cup.
Scanlon Apparati Italian paper–covered accessories, $35-$185, krbnyc.com
These desk accessories are really too chic for an office, but you can let the recipient decide how to handle that.
Brompton x Vespertine reflective shoelaces, $10, vespertinenyc.com; Vespertine The Vespert Reflective Vest, $68, vespertinenyc.com
For your colleague who bikes to work in subzero temperatures and pitch-dark.
Graphic notebooks, $28-$38, jaysonhome.com; Life Noble notebook, $22, jetpens.com; Antoinette Poisson Dominoté notebook, $47, choosingkeeping.com
Everyone will do a double take when your colleague walks into a meeting with these pretty notebooks.
