How to Choose Christmas Gifts for Co-workers

Choosing Christmas gifts for co-workers with whom you are only slightly acquainted can sometimes seem downright impossible. With some clever planning and a do-it-yourself attitude, there are plenty of creative, classy and impressive gifts you can choose that won't break your holiday gift-giving budget. Here are some suggestions.

Instructions

1. Traditional homemade, soy wax and beeswax candles are fun and easy to create and make a classy Christmas gift to give your co-workers. Your homemade candles can be as plain or decorated to suit individual co-workers' personalities.

2. Treat your co-workers to that much-needed morning jolt by giving them the gift of specialty beverages. Gift packs of coffee, teas and hot chocolates are a fun, easy to put together and a joy to receive. You can even choose to include specialty ceramic or travel mugs.

3. If you enjoy baking, consider giving co-workers tins filled with assorted Christmas baked goods. Homemade cookies, brownies, cakes and candies are all fun and inexpensive Christmas gifts. With a little creative packaging and presentation, homemade Christmas treats can look as nice as the ones all the expensive specialty stores sell during the holidays.

4. Leave lasting impressions on your co-workers' Christmas trees by giving homemade Christmas ornaments as gifts. Homemade ornaments are easy to make, fun to give and are definitely in the spirit of the holiday season.

5. For the co-worker who has everything, make a charitable donation in their name. There are plenty of deserving charities that appreciate your help. Some suggestions for charitable donations include investing a small amount in a small business on Kiva.org, giving the gift of livestock to an impoverished family with Heifer International, or supporting medical research for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other causes.

Tips & Warnings

• Creative packaging and presentation can make even simple gifts seems impressive and luxurious. Use things like glitter, sequins, beads and paints to jazz up your Christmas wrapping.

• Exercise proper caution when baking or working with hot wax.

Resources

• Kiva.org
• Heifer International