DIY Christmas Gifts for Coworkers: Thoughtful & Easy Ideas

Finding the perfect Christmas gifts for coworkers can be a tricky task. You want to show appreciation without breaking the bank or spending endless hours shopping. The good news is, creating personalized DIY Christmas gifts for your coworkers is not only budget-friendly but also a thoughtful way to spread holiday cheer. Using simple craft supplies and a dash of creativity, you can transform ordinary items into memorable presents.

This guide will explore a variety of easy and impressive DIY Christmas gift ideas for coworkers, focusing on personalization and practicality. We’ll show you how to make your gifts stand out and demonstrate your appreciation, all while keeping things professional and appropriate for the workplace. Let’s dive into the world of DIY and make this Christmas gifting season a breeze!

Why Choose DIY Christmas Gifts for Coworkers?

Before we jump into specific gift ideas, let’s consider why DIY gifts are an excellent choice for coworkers. Beyond the obvious cost savings, there are several compelling reasons to go the homemade route:

• Personal Touch: DIY gifts inherently feel more personal and thoughtful than store-bought items. They show you invested time and effort, which is a significant gesture of appreciation. In a professional setting, this can strengthen relationships and boost team morale.
• Budget-Friendly: The holiday season can be expensive. DIY gifts allow you to control your spending and create beautiful presents without overspending. You can often utilize items you already have at home or purchase affordable supplies in bulk.
• Uniqueness: Homemade gifts are unique! No one else will give the exact same present. This individuality makes your gift more memorable and special.
• Stress Relief & Fun: Engaging in crafting can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to de-stress during the busy holiday season. It’s a chance to step away from work and tap into your creative side.
• Customization: DIY gifts are incredibly customizable. You can tailor each gift to your coworker’s individual tastes, preferences, or even dietary needs. This level of personalization is hard to achieve with generic store-bought gifts.

Navigating Coworker Christmas Gift Etiquette

While gift-giving can be a wonderful gesture, it’s important to be mindful of workplace etiquette. Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind when considering Christmas gifts for coworkers:

• Keep it Small and Inexpensive: Extravagant gifts can make coworkers feel uncomfortable or obligated. Aim for small, thoughtful gifts that are under a reasonable budget (think $5-$10 per person). The gesture is more important than the price tag.
• Avoid Personal Items: As mentioned in the original article, steer clear of personal items like perfumes, lotions, makeup, or clothing. These can be too intimate for a professional relationship and could potentially cause offense or allergy issues.
• Gifts Flow Downward (Generally): Traditionally, gift-giving in a workplace flows downward. Managers may give gifts to their team, but it’s generally not expected for employees to gift their superiors. A heartfelt Christmas card is a more appropriate gesture for your boss or manager if you wish to express appreciation.
• Consider Group Gifting: For larger teams, consider organizing a group gift exchange or a team-wide potluck. This simplifies the process and ensures everyone feels included without individual pressure.
• Universality is Key: When choosing gifts, especially for larger groups, opt for universal items that most people would appreciate. Think about consumables like treats, practical items for the office, or fun desk accessories.

Creative & Easy DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Coworkers

Now for the fun part – let’s explore some fantastic DIY Christmas gift ideas that are perfect for coworkers:

1. Festive Treat Jars: Chex Mix & More

Food gifts are almost always a hit, especially during the holidays! Personalize a simple treat jar with festive labels and fill it with homemade goodies.

Idea: Chex Mix is a classic, crowd-pleasing snack that’s easy to make in large batches. You can customize the recipe with different seasonings and nuts to cater to various tastes.

DIY Steps:

1. Prepare Chex Mix: Find a Chex Mix recipe online (there are tons!). Make a large batch and let it cool completely.
2. Gather Jars: Purchase inexpensive mason jars or repurpose clean glass jars.
3. Personalize Labels: Use printable labels to create festive designs with holiday greetings or your coworker’s name. You can use Avery Design & Print Online (as mentioned in the original article) for easy customization.
4. Assemble: Fill the jars with Chex Mix and attach your personalized labels. Tie a ribbon or twine around the jar neck for an extra touch.

Chex Mix coworker Christmas gift idea printed on Avery tag 22802. It reads
Alt text: DIY Chex Mix Christmas gift for coworkers, featuring a personalized Avery tag with a snowflake design.

Other Treat Jar Ideas:

• Hot Cocoa Mix: Layer cocoa powder, sugar, marshmallows, and chocolate chips in a jar for a cozy winter treat.
• Cookie Mix in a Jar: Provide all the dry ingredients for cookies in a jar, along with a recipe card.
• Spice Rubs: Create unique spice blends for grilling or roasting and package them in small jars with custom labels.

2. DIY Tote Bags: Practical & Personalized

Tote bags are incredibly versatile and eco-friendly gifts. You can personalize them with fabric transfers and fun designs.

Idea: A “Happy Holidays” themed tote bag is perfect for carrying lunches, groceries, or work documents.

DIY Steps:

1. Purchase Blank Tote Bags: Buy inexpensive canvas tote bags in bulk online or at craft stores.
2. Design Fabric Transfer: Create a festive design using Avery Design & Print Online or other design software. Consider incorporating holiday graphics, snowflakes, or a simple “Happy Holidays” message.
3. Print & Iron: Print your design onto printable fabric transfer paper. Iron the transfer onto the tote bag according to the product instructions.

“Happy Holidays” snowman tote bag gift
Alt text: DIY “Happy Holidays” tote bag Christmas gift idea for coworkers, featuring a snowman design printed on Avery fabric transfer.

Tote Bag Personalization Ideas:

• Personalized with Names: Use fabric transfers to add each coworker’s name to their tote bag.
• Funny or Inspirational Quotes: Choose quotes related to work, holidays, or team spirit.
• Inside Jokes: If appropriate for your workplace culture, incorporate inside jokes or team-specific humor into the designs.

3. Homemade Spices & Seasonings: Flavorful Gifts

For coworkers who enjoy cooking, homemade spice blends or flavored salts are thoughtful and practical gifts.

Idea: Stovetop potpourri or flavored salts are easy to make and offer a delightful sensory experience.

DIY Steps (Stovetop Potpourri):

1. Gather Ingredients: Combine dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and cranberries. You can adjust the ingredients based on your preferred scents.
2. Package in Jars or Bags: Place the potpourri mixture in small jars or cellophane bags.
3. Create Labels: Design and print labels using Kraft paper labels for a rustic look. Include instructions for use (simmer with water on the stovetop).

Stovetop potpourri Christmas gift idea printed on square Avery Kraft paper labels 22846 and shown on two jars. They read,
Alt text: DIY stovetop potpourri Christmas gift for coworkers, showing jars with Kraft paper labels featuring a snowflake design.

DIY Steps (Flavored Salt):

1. Choose Salt & Flavor: Use sea salt, kosher salt, or Himalayan pink salt. Infuse with herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic; citrus zest; or spices like chili flakes.
2. Combine & Dry: Mix salt with your chosen flavorings. Spread on a baking sheet to dry completely.
3. Package & Label: Place flavored salt in small jars or containers and create personalized round labels for each flavor.

Homemade flavored salt coworker gift printed on round Avery Kraft paper label 22818. The label reads
Alt text: DIY homemade flavored salt Christmas gift for coworkers, with a round Kraft paper label featuring a forest-themed design.

4. Festive Gift Tags & Labels: Elevate Store-Bought Items

Even if you opt for store-bought gifts, personalized gift tags and labels can instantly elevate their thoughtfulness.

Ideas:

• Candy Canes with Personalized Labels: Attach festive labels to candy canes with holiday greetings or coworker names.
• Cookie Cutters with Custom Tags: Pair cookie cutters with recipe cards and personalized tags.
• Wrapping Paper with Unique Tags: Add a special touch to wrapping paper rolls with DIY gift tags.

DIY Steps:

1. Design Tags/Labels: Use Avery Design & Print Online to create festive tags and labels. Choose from pre-designed templates or create your own.
2. Print & Cut: Print your designs on printable tag or label paper. Cut out the tags/labels.
3. Attach to Gifts: Use ribbon, twine, or adhesive to attach your personalized tags and labels to your chosen gifts.

Cute square Christmas stocking tag printed on Avery square tag 22849. It
Alt text: DIY cute square Christmas stocking tag for coworker gifts, printed on Avery square tags with a Christmas tree design.

5. Small Plants or Herbs: A Touch of Green

A small potted plant or herb is a refreshing and long-lasting gift that can brighten up a coworker’s desk.

Ideas:

• Succulents: Low-maintenance and trendy, succulents are easy to care for and add a touch of greenery.
• Small Herb Plants: Rosemary, basil, or mint plants are practical and fragrant.
• Lucky Bamboo: Symbolizing good fortune, lucky bamboo is a unique and meaningful gift.

DIY Personalization:

• Decorate Pots: Paint plain terracotta pots with festive colors or designs.
• Personalized Tags: Create custom tags with plant care instructions and holiday wishes.

Fresh herbs Christmas gift for coworkers features Avery scalloped tag 80511. The design is red and green with a cute holly graphic and reads,
Alt text: DIY fresh herbs Christmas gift idea for coworkers, featuring Avery scalloped tags with a holly and berry design.

Budget-Friendly DIY Options for Coworkers

Looking for even more cost-effective DIY gift ideas? Here are some great options that won’t break the bank:

• Homemade Cookie Dough: Package homemade cookie dough in jars with baking instructions and festive labels.
• Mulling Spices: Create small bags of mulling spices for warm winter drinks.
• Coffee Cozies: Knit or sew simple coffee cozies and personalize them with tags.
• DIY Caramel Apples: Assemble caramel apple kits with apples, caramel, and toppings, adorned with festive tags.

Homemade cookie dough Christmas gift idea is printed on Avery wraparound labels 22838. It reads
Alt text: DIY homemade cookie dough Christmas gift for coworkers, featuring Avery wraparound labels with a snowflake design.

DIY Gift Ideas for Large Coworker Groups

When you need to gift a larger team, efficiency and scalability are key. Here are some DIY ideas that work well for larger groups:

• Festive Socks: Buy socks in bulk and personalize them with tags that say “Warm Wishes” or “Happy Holidays.”
• Lotto Scratchers: A fun and inexpensive option – present scratchers with festive tent cards as bag toppers.
• Candles or Tea Lights: Purchase candles or tea lights in bulk and add personalized labels or tags.
• Reusable Coffee Cups: Find affordable reusable coffee cups and add a small bag of coffee or tea and a personalized tag.

Scratchers Christmas gift for coworkers is printed on Avery 5302 small tent cards. The design is red and green with a red present and the text reads,
Alt text: DIY scratchers Christmas gift for coworkers, featuring Avery small tent cards with a festive present design.

Make it Easy with Avery Products

As highlighted in the original article, Avery products and online tools are fantastic resources for creating personalized DIY Christmas gifts. From printable labels and tags to fabric transfers, Avery offers a wide range of materials to make your gifts look professional and polished.

Key Avery Resources:

• Avery Design & Print Online (ADPO): Free online software for designing and customizing labels, tags, cards, and more.
• Printable Labels & Tags: A variety of shapes, sizes, and materials for creating personalized gift tags and labels.
• Printable Fabric Transfers: For customizing tote bags, apparel, and other fabric-based gifts.
• Custom Printing Services: For larger quantities or when you need professional printing, Avery offers custom printing services for labels, cards, and tags.

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Spread Holiday Cheer with DIY Coworker Gifts

Diy Christmas Gifts For Coworkers are a wonderful way to show your appreciation and spread holiday cheer in the workplace. By keeping gifts thoughtful, budget-friendly, and personalized, you can create meaningful presents that your coworkers will truly appreciate. So, get creative, have fun, and make this Christmas gifting season a special one for your team!

Author: JoJo Mrgich

JoAnn (JoJo) Mrgich is a copywriter and SEO content writer who began her copywriting career in 2011. A musical theater major at the time, JoJo began writing blog articles, product descriptions, and other online content for a dancewear brand. Since then, she has gone on to write in a variety of fields, from essential oils and natural beauty to fashion and swimwear, finally landing at Avery, which she affectionately calls her “forever home.” At Avery, JoJo writes content for the Avery blog, covering everything from organization to party planning, as well as contributing to other online content for avery.com. She is also a technical and content writer for Avery Industrial, where she writes in-depth articles that span a wide variety of topics, from safety compliance to 5S lean practices. In her personal life, JoJo is a big fan of fantasy and science-fiction works such as Lord of the Rings and Star Trek (especially the original series). She also loves going to Disneyland and runs a non-profit social organization of 600 members that brings fans of “nerd culture” together for meet-ups and events in Southern California. View all posts by JoJo Mrgich