Gifts for a Coworker Who's Leaving: Farewell Ideas
A good gift for a departing coworker is thoughtful, easy to carry, and fits the working relationship. For most offices, a group gift card or a shared keepsake with a signed card is the safest choice. Keep it warm but not personal, and check any workplace guidelines on gift limits before you collect money.
Decide: group or individual
The first choice is whether to give on your own or pool with others.
- A group gift suits a manager, a longtime teammate, or anyone with a wide circle in the office. It lets you pick something a little more substantial.
- An individual gift suits a close coworker or someone you worked with directly.
- Whichever you choose, avoid putting pressure on anyone to contribute. Keep the collection voluntary and private.
Ask whoever is organizing whether there is a budget, an existing collection, or a workplace rule on gifts. Some employers set limits, and it is better to know before you buy.
Gift cards that always work
When you are not sure what the person will do next, a gift card gives them flexibility, and it travels easily if they are moving.
- A Starbucks eGift suits a coffee person and works for a small individual gift.
- An Uber Eats eGift covers a first week of busy meals in a new job.
- A One4all Cheers to You eGift is designed for occasions like graduations and retirements and can work for a farewell too, and a One4all Thank You eGift fits a goodbye that is mostly about gratitude.
- A Restaurant Finder eGift suits a group that wants to give a night out.
Add a note that names one specific thing you will miss, such as the way they always helped with a tough project.
Keepsakes and food gifts
A keepsake works when you know the person well enough to choose.
- Harry & David's Royal Riviera Pears are a box of fruit that is easy to share with family or a new team.
- The Olive Oil Dipping Gift Set from Uncommon Goods is a small tasting kit for the table.
- The Year of Guided Watercolor Painting Desk Calendar is a 2027 desk calendar you paint yourself, with tutorials, watercolors and a brush, which could suit someone starting a new role who enjoys a creative break.
- The Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden suits someone who likes to cook.
A food gift is often a good fit because it is easy to share and does not add clutter, but check for allergies or dietary needs if you can.
Read the seller details on search results before you buy, as listings change.
Something to remember the team
A signed card is a tradition for a reason. If you can, collect short notes from the whole team rather than only signatures. A shared memory, a joke from a project, or a thank-you for help tends to be kept for years. For a remote team, ask each person to send a line by email and compile them into one card.
If your group wants to give an experience, Virgin Experience Gifts and Tinggly both offer boxes and certificates that work as farewell presents. The SpaFinder certificate suits someone who is taking a break between jobs, and a Tinggly Thank You experience box suits a bigger group gift.
What to write in the card
- "Thank you for everything you taught me. I'll miss working with you."
- "The team won't be the same without you. Please stay in touch."
- "Wishing you the very best at your next chapter."
Keep it positive and specific. Avoid jokes about the reason for leaving unless you know the person well.
What to avoid
- Anything too personal or expensive, which can make the person or the group uncomfortable.
- Alcohol, unless you know the person drinks and your workplace allows it.
- Gifts that depend on a new job's location or schedule you do not know.
Timing
Give the gift on the last day or at a farewell gathering, if there is one. If the person is leaving quickly, send it by email as an eGift with a short note so they have it right away.
Remote and hybrid teams
If your team is spread across locations, digital gifts are the easiest option. An eGift arrives by email, and a shared document or video message lets everyone contribute a few words without needing to be in the same room. Pick a day to send everything together, and have one person collect the notes so the final package feels organized. If the departing coworker works in another time zone, send it a little early so it is waiting on their last day. A short call or chat to say goodbye can mean as much as the gift itself.
For more ideas by personality, the iGiftFinder quiz asks a few questions about the person.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a coworker who is leaving?
A group gift card, a shared keepsake with a signed card, or a small food gift. Keep it warm and simple.
How much should I spend on a coworker's going-away gift?
It varies by workplace and relationship. For a group gift, ask the organizer about the budget. For an individual gift, keep it modest.
Is a gift card a good farewell gift?
Yes. It is flexible and easy to carry, especially if the coworker is moving. A short personal note makes it feel considered.
What should I write in a farewell card?
Thank them for something specific, say you will miss working with them, and wish them well. Keep it positive and short.
Should I give a gift to a boss who is leaving?
A group gift is usually more comfortable than an individual one. Check any workplace policy on gifts to or from managers first.
Some links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission. See our Disclosure.