What gifts should you avoid giving coworkers?

When choosing a gift for a coworker, the safest approach is to keep it professional, neutral, and low-pressure.

Gifts to usually avoid

• Highly personal items: perfume, body lotion, skincare, cosmetics, jewelry, and clothing. These can feel too intimate and may not suit the person’s preferences.
• Expensive gifts: in general, avoid anything that feels unusually valuable. High-value gifts can make the recipient uncomfortable or seem like an attempt to buy favor, especially with a manager or direct report.
• Gag gifts or edgy humor: jokes don’t always land well, and workplace-appropriate boundaries matter.
• Alcohol: avoid it unless you know the person is comfortable receiving it and it fits your workplace culture.
• Cash: it’s usually best avoided because it can feel transactional, cold, or like a tip.
• Political, religious, or strongly opinionated items: these can easily create tension at work.

Safer alternatives

If you want to keep it simple, choose something neutral and work-friendly, like a small desk accessory, a notebook, a plant, a coffee gift card, or another modest gift that doesn’t feel too personal.

If you’re unsure, check your company’s gift policy first—some workplaces have rules about gift values, gift exchanges, or conflicts of interest.