'Tis officially the season for gift-giving. For us, it’s 31 days of gift giving; for a month, we’ll be providing gift ideas for everyone on your list—from your hard-to-please parents to your ’90s-loving BFF and even your spoiled pet. Filled with creative picks that got our pulses racing, our Unwrapped holiday gift guides will make Christmas shopping a breeze this holiday season.
Unless you're seriously unlucky in your place of work or are self-employed, everyone has a work wife or husband that they share an office or maybe even a desk with. These are the people who we turn to when we have a really bad day and need to vent to or just when we're looking for a companion to take a coffee or lunch break with. While they may not be our full-fledged besties yet (thus the lower spending limit), they still deserve a token of our appreciation come the holidays. After all, you never know, and they might become one of your BFFs one day.
Unless it's this killer mug (which one of my work wives gifted me) or these pretty office supplies, skip the coffee cups and desk accessories. Instead, opt for a gift that they won't have doubles of, will actually use in the office, or will brighten up their desk. Ahead: 18 of our favorites.
Bando, Girl's Gotta Eat Lunch Bag, $24, available at Bando.
If your colleague is the type that likes to bring their lunch, they will love this adult version of a lunch box, equipped with an insulated interior.
Shinola, Runwell Planners, from $14, available at Shinola.
From the Detroit-based brand responsible for some of the coolest watches currently on the market come these planners that will excite your coworker for next year and can be personalized with initials or a secret code. (Yours truly got this one in salmon pink with rose gold initials.) Bring it on, 2017.
John, Rhonda and Harrison Jenkins, Merlot Infused Coffee, $19.95, available at UncommonGoods.
While this mug or actual in-office wine drinking might be frowned upon by your boss, this merlot-infused coffee will go unnoticed. Plus, it's just heavenly.
Nate Berkus, French Bulldog Tape Dispenser, $12.99, available at Target.
Remember when we said to skip desk accessories? Don't when it comes to this piece. It's a tape dispenser... in the shape of a French bulldog... in gold. This is hands-down the best desk accessory there is. Well, there are also these aesthetically pleasing Nate Berkus Tabletop File Hanging Folders ($12.99).
Zing Anything, Tea Zinger, $29.99, available at Zing Anything.
For the tea lovers in your life, this device is perfect for combining teas and herbal blends with fresh flavors. Whether they love the hot or iced version, the built-in grater allows for the infusion of ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and more, while the citrus press allows you to add fresh zing to your concoction. There is even a removable tea steeper basket for loose leaf tea aficionados.
Bees Knees, Salted Honey, $13.99, available at Bushwick Kitchen.
Top off that drink with a drizzle of gourmet honey. This bottle boasts fragrant wildflower honey from the Hudson Valley and is infused with sea salt for an ultimate sweet and salty touch.
Atelier Cologne, Orange Sanguine hand cream, $25, available at Sephora.
Has your co-worker been stealing your hand cream in this freezing, dry weather? We get it, but upgrade them to one of their own (it's a win-win really). This one, from one of the most fragrance-forward brands out there, trails the most delectable smell with notes of sweet blood orange, bitter orange peel, and geranium. If you really like your work wife or husband (the fragrances are unisex), invest in one of their travel sprays housed in an engraved leather case. It's so luxe, and won't set you back that much.
FarmSteady, Everything Bagel Making Kit, $24.95, available at Paper Source.
Do you and your work significant other share an affinity for everything bagels come Friday morning? If so, they will love this set that has everything they need to make a dozen bagels with homemade cultured cream cheese. If they bring some to work the morning after, it's yet another win-win for you.
Lovepop, Santa Hammock Pop Up Card, $13, available at Lovepop.
If you are just starting to court your work wife or husband, this one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted 3-D card is really the perfect gift that can even be displayed on their desk. While the front of the card shows a sun setting over a tropical landscape, the inside features a sculptural Santa getting some R&R post-Christmas deliveries. Santa is all of us after the holidays.
Compartes, Donuts & Coffee Milk Chocolate Bar, $9.95, available at Compartes.
Fact: Compartes makes some of the best chocolate. This Donuts & Coffee Milk Bar is perfect for when that four o'clock slump kicks in.
ModCloth, Orb Appeal Geode Terrarium Kit, $29.99, available at ModCloth.
If the two of you have been talking about committing to a plant to have between your desks, this DIY terrarium kit is it. An even better idea? Buy yourself two classes to a tabletop terrarium class (we are loving these Plant Nite ones which are held in bars).
S’well, White Marble bottles, from $25, available at S'well.
Remind your work wife or husband to hydrate with these fancy one-of-a-kind bottles that hold drinks cold for 24 and hot for 12 hours. Not only are they chic, but, thanks to a partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, proceeds from this bottle will help provide clean drinking water to children around the world.
Homeboy’s, Habanero hot sauce, $10, available at Heatonist.
Does your coworker put hot sauce on everything? Same. Look no further than this tangy, medium heat hot sauce, with hints of mustard and onion, that comes from one of the best hot sauce stores in New York. Come for this sample, get every other one there.
Sugar Paper, 2017 Classic Black Calendar, $40-$62, available at Sugar Paper.
I buy this calendar year after year for its minimalistic design and how pretty it looks on the gold stand. Your coworker will get hooked too.
Grubhub, Gift Card, from $10, available at Grubhub or Seamless.
Not that you want to remind your coworker of all the late nights the two of you were stuck in the office debating what to order from Seamless, but next time around they will surely look forward to using this gift. Offered for the first time this holiday season, these gift cards can be personalized with witty messages or even a personalized video.
8.6.4, Cord Organizer Set, $24, available at Urban Outfitters.
Last year, you might have gotten your favorite co-worker a charging cable (if only so they stopped borrowing yours daily). This year, get all the cords under control with these cute organizers. And if you still haven't gotten a charging cable, the ones from Native Union are king.
Perch, The Almost One Hourglass, $34, available at Perch.
While, at first, this may seem like a tease to watch every hour slowly go by, this hourglass actually has a beneficial purpose. Studies have shown that 60 minutes is the optimal frequency at which one should take breaks from work. Not only is it good for your productivity and focus, but you and your office other half can also use it as an excuse for another water, coffee, or lunch break. Plus, it will look awesome on their desk.
Mr. Coffee, Mug Warmer, $9.99, available at Bed Bath & Beyond.
If your coworker is one of those who takes hours to finish their coffee, microwaving it in-between meetings, this mug warmer will become a game changer.
Check out more of our Unwrapped gift guides here.
