Low-cost gifts for co-workers: Ideas that don't suck

A difficult year has caused many staffers to reconsider the tradition of giving gifts to co-workers this holiday. Consider these low-cost options before you join ’em.

Here are three inexpensive gifts — that aren’t synonymous with low quality — you can give to your co-workers this holiday season:

1. Coffee, candy or a combination of both. If your company is big on wellness, this idea may not a be a hit with your Benefits coordinator. That being said, most co-workers love coffee or they love candy — or both.
   A nice touch: Give a co-worker a coffee mug filled candy and coffee (or hot chocolate, tea, mini-liquor bottles, etc., or whatever beverage the employee prefers).
2. A themed (and practical) gift basket. The key here is to combine a nice visual presentation with practical gifts.  For example, if Philip in Finance always seems to be asking for supplies, why not fill a gift basket up with Post-its, a stapler, staples, tapes, paper clips, etc.
3. A calendar or planner. Not only are these gifts fun, they’re practical — especially if your co-worker is a planning freak. Again, try to make this gift as personal as possible. Example: A monthly or daily calendar or a daily planner centered around one of the person’s hobbies (pets, learning a new language, etc.) would make an excellent gift.

Do you know of other great low-cost gifts for co-workers? Share them in our comments section.