Farewell gift for a coworker: ideas for a send-off people remember
New job, relocation, retirement or end of an internship? How to organize a group gift for a coworker, what to give at every budget, and what to write in the card.
· 5 min read
Someone on the team is leaving. A new job, a move, retirement, the end of a contract or an internship: there is almost always a leaving do, a card going around the office, and the same question in the group chat: "So what are we getting them?"
A farewell gift is a special kind of present. It is a group effort, so it has to please the person, get a whole team to agree, fit a shared budget, and usually come together in a few days. Here is a simple way to handle it, plus concrete ideas.
Running the collection without the drama
Put one person in charge
A collection run by "everyone" is run by no one. One person (or a pair) collects the money, suggests two or three ideas and makes the call. Others can vote or give feedback, but nobody reopens the debate the day before.
Keep contributions optional
Suggest an amount rather than imposing one. Some people barely know the person leaving; others have worked next to them for ten years. Everyone should be able to give what they want, including nothing, without any awkwardness. An online collection also saves you from chasing loose change.
Set a deadline
Close the collection two or three days before the leaving do. That leaves time to buy, order or prepare the gift, and to print the card.
What to give a coworker who's leaving
Gifts about what comes next
These are often the most touching, because they show the team cares about where the person is heading.
- A new job: a quality desk item (a good notebook, an engraved pen, a laptop bag) to start on the right foot.
- A move: a guide to their new city, a voucher for a local restaurant, an easy-to-carry plant.
- Retirement: something linked to their plans. Gardening tools, a cooking class, a weekend away, gear for their hobby. Quietly ask the colleagues closest to them what they plan to do with their time.
Keepsakes from the team
- A guestbook: every coworker writes a message, a story, a memory. Add a few photos and you have something they will reread years from now.
- A framed team photo, signed on the back by everyone.
- A video of messages: everyone records ten seconds. Handy when part of the team works remotely or from another office.
The gift that makes everyone laugh
A leaving do should also be fun. A funny (and kind) gift lightens the mood, especially once the speeches get a little emotional.
That's where a playable gift works well. Put your coworker's photo in a mini-game, write the lines and the final message, and share the link with the whole team, or put it on the big screen during the party.
- The Great Escape: your coworker flees the office for the beach. Made for a leaving do or a retirement.
- The Office Escapee: they're sneaking out of the meeting, and you have to catch them before coffee.
- Whack-a-Meeting: their head pops out of the laptops. All in good fun, of course.
At the end, the team's message appears. You can also add up to three hidden messages that show up during the game, for example stories from three different coworkers. A playable gift doesn't have to replace the main present: it can be the fun way to reveal it.
How much should you spend?
There is no rule, which is a good thing. The amount mostly depends on the size of the team and how long the person has been around. A few common-sense pointers:
| Situation | Good fit |
|---|---|
| Small budget or small team | Guestbook, group card, playable gift, a plant |
| Medium budget | Quality item for their new role, an experience, a gourmet hamper |
| Larger budget (long career, retirement) | Weekend away, gear for their hobby, keepsake plus experience |
Either way, a personal message does more than a big budget.
What to write in a farewell card
Often the hardest part. A few ideas depending on how well you know them:
If you know them well
Tell one specific story: a tough project you got through together, a meeting that ended in giggles, a habit you'll miss ("Who am I going to borrow a stapler from now?"). Anecdotes beat vague compliments.
If you barely know them
Keep it short and honest: "Thanks for your help on the X project, and good luck with what's next!" Brief, but true, and better than a stock phrase.
For a retirement
Focus on what they passed on and what lies ahead: "Thank you for years of good advice. Enjoy the garden, you've earned it."
Better to avoid
- Jokes about age or about why they're leaving, unless you're sure they'll land well.
- Comments about the company or management: the card will be read by everyone.
- A bare "All the best!" when you sat next to them for years.
Making the leaving do a moment
The gift is only part of the send-off. A few details make a difference:
- Tell them when the drinks are, but keep the gift a surprise.
- Include remote coworkers: a video call during the party, or a digital gift everyone can see.
- Plan a short speech, two minutes at most, ideally by the person who knows them best.
- Hand over the gift at the end of the speech, not in the middle of conversations.
- Let them speak: many people want to say thank you.
What about remote teams?
When the team is spread across cities, a physical gift becomes a logistics puzzle. Digital options are very practical then: a gift card, an online guestbook, a group video or a playable gift sent as a link. Everyone can contribute from their laptop, and the person gets everything on the day, wherever they are.
The short version
A good farewell gift is organized simply, connected to what comes next, and comes with sincere messages. And if the team likes a laugh, a mini-game starring their face is a memorable way to say goodbye.
Browse the games for coworkers and prepare the team's gift in a few minutes. For something truly one of a kind, you can also order a custom-made game. And for a coworker's birthday, see our last-minute birthday gift ideas.
