👋 Farewell gift for a colleague
A colleague is leaving for a new job and you are the one arranging something. Familiar: it has to be personal and fast, and nobody has contributed yet. So here is everything you need for a farewell gift: ideas, the amounts Dutch teams actually use, and what to put on the card.
The golden rule: choose something that suits the person, not the job title. A tasting box for the food lover, a scratch map for the traveller. We look for things with a story, because those are the ones that stay on a desk.
Part of our guide gift for a colleague: the complete guide.
What makes a farewell gift work?
A good farewell gift touches on the time you spent working together. Point to a running joke, a habit, or a project you both enjoyed. It does not have to be expensive; the small things last longest. A team photo, a memory book everyone writes in, or something for the new job all work well. Want something that gets used daily? Think coffee, plants or things for the commute.
What do you write on the card?
In the Netherlands the card matters as much as the present, and it is usually harder to get right. Keep it short. Name one concrete memory or quality, thank them for working together, and wish them a good start. On a group card everyone writes their own line instead of just signing; those different handwritings are what make it.
How much do you chip in, and how do you arrange it?
The usual amount in the Netherlands is 5 to 10 euros per person for someone leaving. With ten colleagues that is 50 to 90 euros, which opens up very different options. Collecting is the annoying part, so we built the Organise tool: one shareable link with a digital card where everyone contributes voluntarily and nobody sees who gave what.
Other kinds of goodbyes
Not every departure is the same. For a retirement the amount goes up and the message gets more personal. For a last working day after a short contract you keep it light. And if someone is staying but you want to show appreciation, a thank-you fits better than a farewell gift.
