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🎁 Gift for a colleague: the complete guide

Compiled by curator Fleur and the editors · Updated juli 2026

Buying a gift for a colleague sounds simple until you are standing in the shop. Too personal feels awkward, too cheap feels stingy, and you rarely have time to browse. This guide helps you find something that actually fits in a couple of minutes, whatever the occasion.

We sort everything by the three things that matter at work: the occasion, the type of colleague and your budget. New to Dutch office culture? Good to know: colleagues here usually chip in together, amounts are modest, and the card matters as much as the present. No generic mugs, no anonymous vouchers — we only show things that raise a smile.

Choose by occasion

The occasion sets both the tone and the amount. A farewell calls for something different than a birthday, and a retirement asks for more than a Secret Santa draw. Below you will find a ready-made list per moment, each with tested ideas that often arrive tomorrow.

Saying goodbye: what to look for

The hardest one is usually the farewell. Someone is leaving for a new job and you want to capture years of working together in a single gesture. A good farewell gift does not have to be expensive; it has to be right. Think of something that points to an inside joke, a habit, or a project you enjoyed together. A truly personal farewell gift with a card signed by everyone stays on a desk for years, while an expensive but storyless present is forgotten within a week. Chipping in together for a leaving colleague is a proper Dutch office tradition, and a good excuse to say out loud what someone meant to the team.

Choose by type of colleague

The best idea suits the person, not the job title. Is your colleague a coffee fanatic, a plant parent or the office joker? Pick the office type below, or take the gift quiz and get a suggestion straight away.

Take the gift quiz 🎯

Choose by budget

Dutch offices have fairly fixed bands for what you spend. For a draw or a small gesture you stay under ten euros. For a birthday you usually land between ten and twenty-five. When the whole team chips in, the total goes up. The lists below are sorted by amount, so you never give too much or too little.

Showing appreciation without an occasion

Sometimes there is nothing to celebrate and you simply want to show appreciation. Someone covered your work during a busy week, or thought along when you were stuck. A small present with the coffee, a handwritten card or a surprise on the desk does the job. Saying thank you costs nothing and works almost every time. For moments like these we look for something with a wink, because that lands better than yet another standard package.

See the thank-you ideas

How much do people actually spend?

The most awkward part is usually the amount. We list the customary Dutch figures per occasion, based on what people really spend. Handy if you have just started working here: the amounts are lower than many newcomers expect, and nobody is impressed by overspending.

See the gift etiquette

Giving together without the hassle

A group gift is often the nicest, but collecting everyone's contribution is the least fun part. With our Organise tool you create a moment in one minute: a digital group card plus voluntary contributions through your own payment link. Just want to split a bill quickly? Use the Split tool instead.

Start a gift moment 🎁

All occasions at a glance

Frequently asked questions

What is a good gift for a colleague?

Something that suits the person and the occasion. Base it on a hobby or on their office type, and stick to the usual amount for that moment. Original and light-hearted beats expensive and anonymous.

How much do you spend on a colleague in the Netherlands?

It depends on the occasion. For a birthday, 2 to 5 euros per person is normal. For a farewell it is 5 to 10 euros, and for a retirement 5 to 15 euros. Our etiquette page lists them all.

What do you give a colleague you barely know?

Go for something safe and gender-neutral: something tasty, a plant, a funny gadget or a handy desk accessory. For a group gift, contribute the same amount as everyone else so nobody feels awkward.

What is a good farewell gift for a colleague?

Something that refers to your time together: a memory book filled in by the team, a nod to a running joke, or something for the new job. A personal farewell gift with a card beats an expensive but anonymous present.

Is it normal to chip in together at Dutch offices?

Yes, it is the default. Usually the direct team or department joins in, five to fifteen people, each contributing an equal and modest amount. One person buys the gift and the rest transfer their share.

What do you write on the card?

Keep it short and personal. Name one concrete memory or quality and close warmly. On a group card, everyone writes their own line rather than only signing their name.

Do you give something to your manager?

You can, but keep it modest and preferably on behalf of the team. Choose something neutral and not too personal, so it does not come across as awkward or as currying favour.

Can you refuse a gift from a colleague?

Accepting politely is usually easiest, even if it is not to your taste. A sincere thank-you is enough. If something feels genuinely inappropriate, say so calmly and privately, outside the group.

Sources and further reading

Compiled by the Kantoorkado editors. Every gift is hand-picked and tested by curator Fleur and the team, so you only see ideas that are genuinely special, useful or good for a laugh. Read more about us.