Does your office do a Secret Santa? Here, gift ideas that are sure to please everyone—even your weird co-workers.
In theory, doing a Secret Santa at the office sounds like a good way to get people in the holiday spirit. That is, until you draw the dweeb from development and have no idea what to get him. Holiday shopping is stressful enough without having to worry about getting gifts for your office peeps. That’s why we came up with a list of items for every office personality. The best part? They’re all under $30. So put the same old Starbucks gift card down and pick up one of these presents instead. ’Tis the season!
For the Kiss-up: What to give the biggest brownnoser in your group? Why, organic lip balm for her smackers, of course. There’s no resisting this “All the Better to Kiss You With” trio of organic lip balms ($17.99; farmhousewares.com). The shiny lip balms flavored with peppermint, lavender, vanilla, and chai mandarin are packed in tiny vintage-inspired tins and will keep the kiss-up’s lips looking pretty and pouty.
For the IT Geek: Unless you are a bit of a tech geek yourself, it’s hard to spot the perfect gift for the person who communicates in code. Instead, address the more practical aspect of their IT world: Those tech people spend all day touching your mouse pads, keyboards, phones, and devices. Keep them healthy with moist essential-oil towelettes ($15; herbanessentials.com). With yummy scents like lemon or peppermint, these handy towelettes are antibacterial and antiseptic, smell good, and are stocked with skin- (and nerve-) soothing essential oils.
For the Loner: Every office has at least one loner, who prefers to eat in their office rather than socialize with the rest of you in the lunchroom. Give them something to talk about—and tote their leftover takeout in—with these fabric bags ($25; plumcreekmercantile.com). Each set comes with an assortment of fabric bags, sized small to large, that are perfect for pretzels, trail mix, or a PB&J. The bags are cute, washable, and eco-friendly—plenty of topics to discuss when the loner sits down to lunch with you someday soon.
For the Worrier: The worrier kvetches over everything—deadlines, project details, conference calls, etc. And her unease is starting to show. Help soothe those developing wrinkles and worry lines with Frownies ($19.95; frownies.com). Put these wacky facial pads (they look sort of like a Band-Aid) on your face while you sleep and watch them disappear. Warning! Only give this gift if the office worrier is also your office gal-pal (unless, of course, you want the office worrier to become your worst enemy).
For the Boss: Of course you’d like to give your boss a supercool (and expensive) gift this holiday season. But frankly, in this rough economic climate, if you aren’t getting a raise, she ain’t getting a pricey present. The Republic of Tea has a variety of lovely leaves—holiday, antioxidant, even ”pink” teas to benefit breast cancer research. There are teas for wellness: “Get Happy” tea or “Get a Grip” tea. Our favorite? The “Get Relaxed” travel tea set with lavender tea and tea bags, a candle, and some scented lotion. ($14.99; republicoftea.com). Because a worry-free holiday and start to a new year is something every great leader should be able to appreciate!
