A clothing gift for a colleague
Short answer: Stay with the impersonal. Towels, a pair of socks or something for the home work as a gift for a colleague. Underwear and sleepwear do not belong at the workplace. A good colleague gift can be unwrapped in front of others without anyone feeling awkward, and it does not require you to know a size.
Where the line goes
A gift between colleagues should be possible to unwrap in front of others without anyone feeling awkward. That rules out anything worn against the skin and anything that requires you to know a size. Think of the gift as a friendly gesture, not as a sign of how well you know each other. The more neutral it is, the easier it is to accept.
What works
Towels, socks or something for the home are the safe choices. All three get used, none of them requires a known size, and they can be unwrapped in front of the whole department without anyone looking away. See bamboo envelope sheets and bamboo socks for men if you want something soft and practical.
Socks are a safe gift
Socks carry no intimate meaning and are worn by everyone, so they almost always work between colleagues. Choose a neutral colour such as black, grey or navy, and they suit both work clothes and leisure wear. A medium size fits most people, and a soft cuff that does not press makes them comfortable all day.
Something for the home
A gift for the home does not feel personal in the wrong way. A set of bed linen, a towel or a tea towel can be used by the whole household. Avoid patterns and strong colours when you do not know the taste, and choose something calm that suits most interiors without needing to be matched.
What to avoid
Underwear and sleepwear do not belong at the workplace, however well you know your colleague. The same goes for clothes that need an exact fit, because a size that is wrong ends in an awkward conversation. Stay with what does not need to be tried on and can be used as it is from the first day.
How much it should cost
The gift should be nice enough to show you have thought about it, but not so expensive that it obliges the receiver. If colleagues often give each other gifts, agree on a shared limit so nobody feels pressured. A small, thoughtful gift usually beats a large one that feels like a demand to give something back.
If you are close
If you and your colleague are closer, the same rules apply as for friends. Even so, it is wise to be careful with sizes, because a gift that does not fit is hard to exchange at work. See bamboo homewear if you know each other well enough for something a little more personal.
Wrap it nicely
Nice wrapping turns a simple gift into a proper one. Use paper and ribbon that look neat but not showy, and write a short greeting by hand. When the gift is handed over at work, it helps if it is easy to carry in a bag and does not take much space, so you can give it in peace.
Include the receipt
Even a neutral gift can miss, so it is a good idea to put a gift receipt in the parcel. It makes exchange easy and free of awkwardness, and the receiver does not have to say anything. Write on the card that the receipt is enclosed, so it is clear that exchanging is perfectly fine.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a colleague gift cost
Enough to be nice, not enough to oblige. Stay with an amount you would be comfortable with everyone at work knowing about, and that does not leave the receiver feeling indebted.
Can you give socks to a colleague
Yes. They carry no intimate meaning and are worn by everyone. Choose a neutral colour and a soft cuff, and they suit both work clothes and leisure wear and can be used from day one.
What if you do not know the person
Then choose something for the home rather than something for the body. A towel or a tea towel in a calm colour is safe, and you need to know neither size nor taste.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
