Farewell Gifts for a Coworker Leaving the Team
Someone put in their two weeks, and now you’re staring at a blank card wondering what to write. Here’s the harder question: what do you get them? A mug that says “You’re TEA-rific”? Please, no.
The trick is finding something under $25 that feels personal without being weird. You want “I’ll genuinely miss working with you” — not “I panic-bought this at CVS on my lunch break.”
Our Farewell Gift Rules
DO:
- Pick something they can use at their new job or at home
- Go personal if you’ve worked closely together for 6+ months
- Pool money with 2-3 coworkers for a nicer single gift
DON’T:
- Get anything with your company’s logo on it
- Buy food unless you’re 100% sure about dietary restrictions
- Write “good luck” — it implies they’ll need it
The Desktop Oasis
Kikkerland Design Desk Organizer | $18.99
Minimalist · Desk Essential
Your coworker’s new desk will be bare and sad for at least two weeks. This bamboo organizer gives them something familiar to unpack on day one. Four compartments fit pens, clips, and that one USB cable everyone needs. It’s the kind of thing nobody buys for themselves but uses every single day.
The Gratitude Journal
Moleskine Cahier Notebook 3-Pack | $14.95
Thoughtful · Daily Use
Three plain notebooks might sound boring until you realize Moleskine makes the only pocket notebooks that don’t fall apart after a month. Tuck a handwritten note inside the first one. That’s the gift — the notebook is just the vehicle.
The Calm Commuter ⭐ Editor’s Pick
Hydro Flask 21 oz Standard Mouth | $24.95
Everyday Carry · Top Rated
4.8 stars across 12,000+ reviews don’t lie. Whether your coworker is heading to a startup with no kitchen or a corporate office with terrible coffee, a quality water bottle is the most-used farewell gift in existence. The standard mouth fits ice cubes. The powder coat won’t slip. They’ll think of your team every morning.
What NOT to Get
Gift cards under $15. Nothing says “mandatory fun” like a $10 Starbucks card. If you’re going the gift card route, pool with others to hit $50+, or skip it entirely.
Desk toys or gag gifts. That Newton’s cradle will sit in a drawer by week two. Your coworker is starting fresh — give them something that earns a spot on the new desk.
Prices accurate as of February 2026. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.