35 Farewell Gift Ideas for a Coworker (By Budget and Personality)

The card is the gift people keep

Ask anyone what they still have from an old job and it is rarely the mug. It is the card. Whatever you buy, put most of the team's effort into the messages: specific memories, inside references, and thanks. A digital group card makes that easy for remote colleagues and for people who have already left.

Match the gift to the next chapter

Someone starting a new job wants something for the new desk. Someone going travelling wants something light. Someone retiring wants something for the hobby they have been postponing. Someone moving cities wants a reminder of this one. Ask the people who know them best before buying.

Group gifts without the awkwardness

One organiser, one suggested amount, one deadline, and a clear note that contributing is optional and the card is open to everyone regardless. Split the cost with a calculator so nobody is sending odd amounts, and buy one gift that is better than what anyone would buy alone.

What to avoid

Avoid gag gifts for someone you do not know well, anything that references why they are leaving, alcohol unless you are sure, and items that assume their home life. If in doubt, a good gift card for the new city or the new hobby plus a generous card beats a risky surprise.

Keep these principles in mind

• Put the most effort into the card
• Tie the gift to what comes next
• One organiser, one amount, one deadline
• Keep contributions optional
• Skip gag gifts for people you do not know well

Farewell gifts under $25

1. A quality notebook with the first page signed by the team
2. A framed photo of the team from a real event, not a screenshot
3. Their coffee order in bean form, with the café's name on the bag
4. A plant for the new desk, with instructions written by the office plant person
5. A book one colleague genuinely loved, inscribed
6. A mug printed with a phrase they always said
7. Good tea or hot chocolate and a card that explains why

Farewell gifts from $25 to $75

1. A gift card for a restaurant in the city they are moving to
2. A desk lamp or laptop stand for the new home office
3. A nice water bottle or insulated flask for the new commute
4. A print or map of the place they are leaving
5. A cookbook for the cuisine they always ordered at team lunches
6. Noise-cancelling earbuds for open-plan survival
7. A subscription for a few months of something they enjoy

Group farewell gifts over $75

1. An experience voucher: a cooking class, a climbing session, a concert
2. A quality backpack or bag for the new job
3. A weekend away contribution for someone who has talked about it for years
4. A piece of equipment for the hobby they are finally going to have time for
5. A donation to a cause they care about, in their name, with the card explaining it
6. A custom illustration of the team, the office, or their desk

Farewell gifts for a remote coworker

1. A digital group card with photos and GIFs, delivered on their last day
2. A food delivery voucher for a farewell lunch in their own kitchen
3. A care package mailed from the team with local items from where the office is
4. A video montage of short messages from teammates, linked from the card
5. A gift card for their local bookshop or café

Farewell gifts for someone retiring

1. Something for the hobby they have been postponing: gardening tools, a fishing rod, art supplies
2. A memory book with messages from colleagues across the decades
3. Travel accessories for the trip they keep mentioning
4. A framed record of their years of service with photos from each era
5. A subscription to a magazine about the thing they love

Funny farewell gifts for a close teammate

1. A trophy for whatever they were unofficially best at
2. A “survival kit” for the new job: snacks, sticky notes, and a note from each teammate
3. A framed screenshot of the most chaotic group chat moment
4. A custom mug quoting their most-used phrase
5. The office plant they secretly kept alive, formally handed over

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• 45 Funny Farewell Messages for Coworkers That Stay Office-Safe
• How to Create a Free Retirement Card Your Whole Team Can Sign
• What to Write in a Farewell Card for Your Boss (40 Messages)

Keep reading

• What to write in a leaving card
• Virtual farewell ideas for coworkers
• How to create a digital farewell card