The gift for a colleague
Short answer: For a colleague, the safest choice is a gift without a size and without a personal touch. Socks, towels and gift cards are the most common solutions, because they suit most people and actually get used.
No size needed
You rarely know a colleague's size, and even if you guess right, underwear and nightwear are too personal for the workplace. Socks are the exception, because sizes cover a wide range and nobody feels exposed by a pair of socks. A gift without a size removes the biggest risk.
Socks
A pack of socks in a neutral colour gets used and suits both the office and the weekend. Black, grey and navy go with most things and are rarely exchanged. Several pairs in one pack make the gift more useful than a single pair. See all bamboo socks for men.
Towels
A set of towels is impersonal enough for a colleague and gets used every day. Choose a neutral colour so it suits most bathrooms, and stick to a small set so the gift is not too big. A guest towel is often enough. See bamboo towels.
Avoid the personal
Nightwear and underwear are too close for a colleague, unless you know each other well. The same goes for perfume and things that say something about the body. Keep the gift at a level where it can be unwrapped in front of others without anyone feeling awkward.
The Christmas party and gift swaps
For a gift swap at work, something everyone can use is right, because you do not know who will end up with it. Socks, washcloths and small towels reach the widest group. Find more suggestions in Christmas gift ideas.
For her and for him
If you know your colleague a little better, you can choose more specifically. Browse the two selections in Christmas gifts for her and Christmas gifts for him, where there are gifts without a size that suit the workplace.
The price level at work
Most workplaces have an unwritten limit on what a colleague gift should cost. Stick to it, and the gift will not be awkward to receive. A small, useful gift is better than a big one that creates expectations. See home and homewear in bamboo.
Gift cards
If you are unsure about both taste and needs, a gift card is a simple solution. Your colleague chooses, and the gift does not end up at the back of a cupboard. A gift card with a pair of socks feels more like a present than the card alone.
Wrapping
Simple wrapping suits the workplace. A sheet of paper and a ribbon are enough. Consider adding a short note with a few words, so the gift feels personal even though the contents are neutral.
See also
If you are looking for more ideas, read about bamboo clothing as a gift, where we go through different types of gifts and who they suit, both at work and at home.
Frequently asked questions
What is a safe gift for a colleague?
Socks or towels. They need no size, are not too personal and get used in everyday life, whoever receives them.
Can you give underwear to a colleague?
Usually not. Underwear and nightwear are too personal for most workplaces, unless you know each other well outside work.
What do you bring to a gift swap at work?
Something everyone can use, such as socks, washcloths or a small towel. You do not know who will end up with the gift, so it should suit a wide group.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
