Gifts for Coworkers Who Are Hard to Shop for (so, All of Them)

When shopping for Christmas gifts for coworkers, especially for White Elephant exchanges, I suggest focusing on practicality. Spigen's phone stand is an excellent office gift, capable of charging iPhones or Qi2-certified devices at up to 15 watts. It features a built-in fan to keep devices cool, along with a subtle blue light that can be turned off to prevent disturbing your sleep. The magnetic pad is adjustable and stable, making it ideal for the iPhone’s StandBy mode. It includes a USB-C cable, but you'll need a separate power adapter (25 watts or more). We have more wireless chargers here.

If your coworker is always picking up a new hobby, the Woobles Crochet Amigurumi Kit is a unique gift idea. My partner got me Kiki the Chick, and I was instantly hooked (pun intended). With beginner and intermediate kits, Woobles is an introduction to crocheting without committing to buying a mountain of supplies they may end up being stuck with if the new passion project doesn’t stick. The step-by-step video tutorials are straightforward; if they hit a snag, customer support is available via email. There’s a range of playful options, including special collabs like Santa Snoopy for Christmas or Minecraft-themed bundles for the gamer in your office. I would also purchase this as a white elephant or Secret Santa gift. Bonus: Once they’ve crocheted their Wooble, it can double as desk decor or even be unraveled and remade.

Some coworkers chug their coffee; others microwave it three times a day. Help them break the cycle. This double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel mug from Hydro Flask keeps drinks hot for hours, so they can stop making the sad walk to the break room. It's leakproof, fits most cup holders, and looks sleek on a desk or during a video call. Plus, they can swap in a straw lid for iced coffee.

If your coworker's desk looks like a jumble of sticky notes and half-finished notecards, the B5 Purpose Planner might just be their new salvation. It corrals work, home, projects, and miscellaneous brain dump lists into one roomy notepad. Plus, there is allocated space for brainstorming (or doodling) with extra dotted pages. It's undated and six months long, so they can start anytime. Truly one of the few planners that gets the chaos. Also perfect for the Type A coworker who color codes everything.

OK—technically, this gift is $10 over the budget, but it's worth it for your office best friend. Perhaps a birthday gift? Dandelion's Single-Origin Truffle Collection is perfect for the coworker who references The New Yorker regularly and won't touch milk chocolate. Each ganache is made from cacao beans sourced from one of five regions: Colombia, Ecuador, Belize, Tanzania, and Madagascar. For the adventurous palate, this gift box hits every note: from fresh strawberry and cheesecake to chocolate sourdough and cherry yogurt. There's a reason we've dubbed it the Best Box for Pure Chocolate Lovers. Bonus: USPS priority shipping is free for every box above $25.

For the AFOL, the Lego Succulents kit may very well be on their wishlist. This is also a good gift for the home office plant parent whose green thumb is more…aspirational. It includes nine plants, so they can channel their inner botanist without worrying about water or sunlight. Once assembled, the nine succulents can be arranged into one floral arrangement or scattered throughout their cubicle.

For the human ball of stress: a stress ball! The Hugget never leaves my desk. It’s a palm-sized knot pillow—made from natural latex foam—kind of like a stress ball with a prettier aesthetic. Its chunky, squishy loops are designed for mindless fidgeting, whether it’s during Zoom calls or when my brain decides to go on autopilot. It’s also oddly soothing, and I catch myself grabbing it whenever I need a self-care moment or just need to occupy my hands.

Shopping for a tech-savvy coworker can be a challenge, but the Anker Nano Power Bank is a great gift for anyone glued to their iPhone—essentially, all of us these days. Small but mighty, it packs 5,000 mAh of energy, enough to top up most smartphones during long workdays. There’s a built-in rotating USB-C or Lightning connector (MFi-certified) and a USB-C port (with charger) to recharge the bank. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any cuter, it comes in soft pastel shades like lilac purple and sprout green.

Name one person who doesn’t love a good snack. Seriously, I’ll wait. Better than a gift basket, each TokyoTreat Snack Box—which reviewer Louryn Strampe enthusiastically endorses—delivers 12 to 17 Japanese goodies. You can expect a melange of dagashi (Japan’s penny candy), a DIY candy kit, and more full-size sweet and savory munchies. Each month is themed, which feels like a festive surprise in the mail, especially during the holiday season. Each bundle also includes a booklet that dives into the snacks and Japanese culture. You can purchase a three-month gift plan for $37.50 per box (plus shipping fees), which is a bit pricey but worth it for your favorite coworker. And hey, you might even get to sample some of those treats yourself. (Sharing is caring!)

Everyone could use a good tote bag, and the Baggu Zip Duck Bag is a bestseller for good reason. The horizontal version can carry a 15-inch laptop, a 24oz Owala FreeSip water bottle, a notebook and pen, house keys, and still have room for a protein bar. Reviewer Brenda Stolyar loves the original vertical model, so you really can’t go wrong with either. It’s machine-washable, too.

There’s something special about sipping from a coffee mug that’s been handcrafted with care. Made from regional materials in Asheville, North Carolina, no two East Fork mugs are exactly alike—variations in the ceramic glaze are part of the charm and a reminder to appreciate the craftsmanship. It holds up to 12 ounces of coffee, tea, or your pick-me-up of choice, and is available in eggshell, panna cotta, morel, amaro, and black mountain, as well as limited seasonal shades. It’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe (which we love), lead-free (brownie points), and fits an Aeropress.

For more information about these beauties, East Fork provides a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship that goes into each vessel.

Le Puzz makes some of the quirkiest puzzles, and this fun gift is perfect for the coworker with a playful sense of humor—or a mild obsession with cats (guilty). The 1,000-piece display depicts a kitty bathroom, complete with Paisley the cat lounging in a claw-foot tub, feline-themed magazines scattered about. Each piece has a unique cut, so it’s as much tactile as visual. Plus, it comes with a resealable bag because losing a piece would be a cat-astrophe.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the tailgater in your life, the Yeti Rambler wine tumbler might be it. WIRED writer (and self-described wine slob) Boone Ashworth loves this tumbler for beach days and park picnics. It’s vacuum-insulated, nearly spill-proof, and—most important—dishwasher-safe. The matte finish feels smooth and grippy, even for the sweatiest of palms. If you want the gift to be more personal, the travel mug can be customized with a monogram on the Yeti site.

Editor Julian Chokkattu loves this doggie water bottle for his pup. The built-in carbon filter keeps your pup’s water fresh, and when they’re done, you can push the button to pour the leftover water back in. The filter needs replacing every 90 days, or just use filtered water at home and don’t bother. Note: The 15-ounce bottle and filter cradle are top-rack dishwasher safe, but the silicone is not.

Is your coworker a baker, or do you just wish they were? This kit has everything a beginner needs to frost cookies and cupcakes like a pro: 30 piping bags, 13 tips, six couplers, and an icing spatula. Bonus points if they test their creations on the office first—a holiday gift that keeps giving.