# Christmas gift ideas for colleagues they will actually use

> Christmas gift ideas for colleagues should be small and useful: a festive mug, an A5 notebook, a scented tube candle, a Christmas coaster set or a lidded desk mug.

- Published by Next Day Gifts: 2026-10-10; last reviewed 2026-10-10
- URL: https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/guides/christmas-gift-ideas-for-colleagues

## Key points

- Match the gift to the person: a notebook for the planner, a scented candle for a home worker, a lidded Christmas mug for the festive one.
- Keep the budget equal across the team, and think about a shared gift for your manager.
- Christmas last order dates: noon on Thursday 17 December for same-day dispatch gifts, noon on Wednesday 9 December for standard dispatch and noon on Tuesday 8 December for personalised gifts.
- In-stock gifts travel free to the UK mainland when your order comes to £45 or more, which helps when you buy for several people.
- Send a gift straight to a home worker's UK address, with a free e-card carrying your message.

## What are the best Christmas gift ideas for colleagues?

The best picks are small, useful and easy to hand over at your desk. Browse the full range on our [gifts for colleagues](/gifts-for-colleagues) page, or start with these five:

- **For the whole team:** the [Merry and Bright bauble mug](/products/merry-and-bright-bauble-mug) (£5.99), a bold 450 ml mug with a red handle. It is easy to buy several at once.
- **For your desk neighbour:** the [Christmas coaster set](/products/christmas-coaster-set) (£6.99), four MDF coasters in a Ruby the Reindeer, Jolly Santa or Melting Snowman design.
- **For the planner:** the [Forest Bee A5 notebook](/products/forest-bee-a5-notebook) (£7.99), with gold foil page edges and a ribbon marker.
- **For a colleague who works from home:** the [Caramel Waffle tube candle](/products/caramel-waffle-tube-candle) (£6.99), with about 55 hours of burn time.
- **For your manager:** the [Celtic Knot notebook with pen](/products/celtic-knot-notebook-with-pen) (£9.99), in brown faux leather with a coordinating pen.

Each one feels chosen rather than grabbed, and none of them leaves your colleague feeling they owe you something big back. Doing a group draw instead? Our [Secret Santa gifts](/secret-santa-gifts) page has its own picks.

- [Merry and Bright Bauble Mug](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/merry-and-bright-bauble-mug): £5.99
- [Christmas Coaster Set](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/christmas-coaster-set): £6.99
- [Forest Bee A5 Notebook](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/forest-bee-a5-notebook): £7.99
- [Celtic Knot Notebook with Pen](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/celtic-knot-notebook-with-pen): £9.99

## Which mugs make good Christmas gifts for work colleagues?

A mug is the safest gift for a colleague, because nearly everyone drinks something hot at work. Choose one that says something about them.

The [No Rain, No Flowers mug](/products/no-rain-no-flowers-mug) (£5.99) has a cheerful yellow handle and an uplifting message. It is a kind choice for someone who has had a tough year. For the colleague who shares cat photos every Monday, the [Crazy Cat Lady mug](/products/crazy-cat-lady-boxed-mug) (£5.99) comes in a gift box with a window, so there is no wrapping to do.

Big tea drinkers will like the [Blue Moon print mug](/products/blue-moon-print-mug) (£5.99), which holds 500 ml. The [Midnight Hare mug](/products/midnight-hare-rounded-mug) (£9.99) shows a moon gazing hare under a starry sky and suits a quieter colleague who loves nature.

Want a small laugh at the bottom of a cup? The [Peekaboo Ghost mug](/products/peekaboo-ghost-mug) (£10.99) has a little ghost hiding inside, and your colleague only finds it once the coffee is gone. It suits the team joker, and it is still fun long after December.

- [No Rain, No Flowers Mug](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/no-rain-no-flowers-mug): £5.99
- [Crazy Cat Lady Mug](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/crazy-cat-lady-boxed-mug): £5.99
- [Midnight Hare Mug](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/midnight-hare-rounded-mug): £9.99
- [Peekaboo Ghost Mug](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/peekaboo-ghost-mug): £10.99

## What notebook should I buy a colleague who loves lists?

Choose a notebook for the colleague who always takes notes in meetings. A5 is a handy size: big enough for real notes, small enough for a laptop bag.

The [Moon Phase velvet notebook](/products/moon-phase-velvet-notebook) (£7.99) has a soft velvet cover with gold moon phases and 200 lined pages, so it will last well into the new year. Do they like something bolder? The [Red Circus Stripe notebook](/products/red-circus-stripe-notebook) (£7.99) has a vintage NOTES label, a ribbon marker and an elastic closure. The [Western Lucky Charms notebook](/products/western-lucky-charms-notebook) (£7.99) is blue and covered in horseshoes, cowboy boots and cacti, for someone with a playful streak.

For a gadget fan, the [LCD wipe screen notebook](/products/lcd-wipe-screen-notebook) (£11.99) has a reusable screen on its cover for short notes. Inside are 80 lined leaves for the notes worth keeping. For a close team, the [notebook with strap](/products/same-sea-notebook-with-strap) (£11.99) carries a message such as Waves in the same sea, a gentle way to say you like working together. Both of these are standard dispatch, so order them a little earlier.

- [Moon Phase Velvet Notebook](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/moon-phase-velvet-notebook): £7.99
- [Red Circus Stripe Notebook](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/red-circus-stripe-notebook): £7.99
- [LCD Wipe Screen Notebook](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/lcd-wipe-screen-notebook): £11.99
- [Notebook with Strap: Same Sea, Tree, Garden](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/same-sea-notebook-with-strap): £11.99

## Are candles a good Christmas gift for coworkers?

Yes, as long as the candle is for their home and not their desk, because a lit flame is rarely welcome in an office. That makes a candle a thoughtful choice for a colleague who works from home, or one you know well.

The scent matters more than the jar. The [Cold Brew Coffee scented candle](/products/cold-brew-coffee-candle) (£9.99), from the Brunch Club range, suits the person who always does the coffee run. The [Solar System Cedar tube candle](/products/solar-system-cedar-tube-candle) (£7.99) pairs a space design with an earthy cedar fragrance, so it is good for someone who likes fresh scents more than sweet ones. For grey January afternoons, the [Blue Pastel Skies peppermint candle](/products/blue-pastel-skies-tube-candle) (£8.99) gives about 55 hours of burn time.

For someone with a sweet tooth, there is the Caramel Waffle candle from our top picks. If you would rather skip the wrapping paper, the [Orange Print candle](/products/orange-print-candle) (£9.99) has a wooden lid and comes in a matching cylinder gift box.

- [Cold Brew Coffee Scented Candle](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/cold-brew-coffee-candle): £9.99
- [Solar System Cedar Tube Candle](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/solar-system-cedar-tube-candle): £7.99
- [Orange Print Candle](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/orange-print-candle): £9.99
- [Caramel Waffle Tube Candle](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/caramel-waffle-tube-candle): £6.99

## What festive gifts suit a colleague who loves Christmas?

Festive mugs and Christmas-scented candles suit the colleague who wears the first Christmas jumper of the year. The [Christmas lidded mug](/products/christmas-lidded-mug) (£12.99) comes in Winter Puppy, Winter Snowman or Red Christmas House, and its lid is handy at a busy desk. For more fun, the [Christmas shaped mug](/products/christmas-shaped-mug) (from £10.99) comes in two shapes: a 500 ml Santa Claus, or a dolomite Christmas pudding with a lid. The [fir tree mug and snowflake spoon set](/products/fir-tree-mug-and-spoon-set) (£12.99) pairs an iridescent white tree mug with a matching spoon, a gentle choice for a hot chocolate fan.

Candles bring the season home. The [Christmas glass candle with tree](/products/christmas-glass-candle-with-tree) (£12.99) has a small tree on its wooden lid and comes in three scents. The [Christmas pudding scented tube candle](/products/christmas-pudding-scented-tube-candle) (£8.99) has a nostalgic print and burns for about 70 hours. The [Snow Day candle](/products/snow-day-tube-candle) (£8.99) is decorated with snowflakes and smells of fresh cotton and coconut. Every gift in this section is same-day dispatch, so these have the latest Christmas order date.

- [Christmas Lidded Mug](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/christmas-lidded-mug): £12.99
- [Christmas Shaped Mug](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/christmas-shaped-mug): From £10.99
- [Fir Tree Mug and Snowflake Spoon Set](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/fir-tree-mug-and-spoon-set): £12.99
- [Christmas Glass Candle With Tree](https://nextdaygifts.co.uk/products/christmas-glass-candle-with-tree): £12.99

## How much should I spend on a Christmas gift for a colleague?

Spend about what you would on a round of coffees, and spend the same on everyone in the team. Equal gifts avoid awkward comparisons. A small budget also means nobody feels they have to give something bigger back.

Most gifts in this guide cost about that much. Three examples: the [Blue Moon print mug](/products/blue-moon-print-mug) (£5.99), the [Moon Phase velvet notebook](/products/moon-phase-velvet-notebook) (£7.99) and the [Caramel Waffle tube candle](/products/caramel-waffle-tube-candle) (£6.99). For more ideas in the same price range, see our [small gifts on a budget](/gifts-under-10).

A gift for your manager is the one people worry about. A gift from just one person can look like you are trying to win favour, so a team gift that everyone chips in for often feels more comfortable. Keep it useful and neutral, such as a notebook with a pen.

After that, choose by personality, not job title. Think about what you see every day: the colleague with the huge mug, the full notebook, the cat stories. A gift that shows you noticed means more than one that costs more.

## When should I order gifts for colleagues for Christmas?

Order same-day dispatch gifts by noon on Thursday 17 December, and other gifts earlier, as shown below. Every product page shows the expected delivery dates before you pay.

| Type of gift | Last order for Christmas |
|---|---|
| Same-day dispatch gifts | noon on Thursday 17 December |
| Standard dispatch gifts | noon on Wednesday 9 December |
| Personalised gifts | noon on Tuesday 8 December |
| Personalised gifts marked "Next day available", with paid next day delivery at checkout | noon on Tuesday 22 December |

If you order a same-day dispatch gift by noon, Monday to Friday, it leaves our partner's warehouse that day. Nearly every gift in this guide is same-day dispatch. The two exceptions are the LCD wipe screen notebook and the notebook with strap, which are standard dispatch.

Tracked delivery costs £3.95. In-stock gifts travel free to the UK mainland when your order comes to £45 or more. Personalised gifts are made to order and have their own delivery charge of £4.95.

Gifts that aren't personalised can be returned within 14 days.

## Questions

### How can I buy Christmas gifts for a whole team without overspending?

Pick one type of gift and buy several, such as a festive mug, then vary the design so each one still feels personal. Coaster sets and lidded Christmas mugs both come in three designs, which makes this easy. Put everything in one order: in-stock gifts travel free to the UK mainland once the order comes to £45 or more.

### What should you avoid giving a colleague for Christmas?

Avoid anything too personal, such as perfume or clothing, and jokes that could go wrong with someone you do not know well. Skip strong-smelling gifts for shared offices, and leave out alcohol if you are not sure about their habits. A useful item with a bit of character, like a patterned notebook or a mug with a kind message, is the safer choice.

### Can I send a Christmas gift to a colleague who works from home?

Yes. You can send any gift straight to their UK address, and the packing slip shows no prices. You can add a free e-card with your message, and we email it to them at 8am on the first day the gift could arrive. For Christmas, order same-day dispatch gifts by noon on Thursday 17 December.

### What is a good Christmas gift for a new colleague?

Keep it friendly and neutral until you know them better. A mug with a kind message, such as the No Rain, No Flowers mug, or a patterned notebook like the Forest Bee A5 notebook, suits almost anyone. Save in-jokes for colleagues you know well.