It happens every few months. Someone from your team posts a Slack message with a "sad face" emoji and a link to a digital card. Then comes the inevitable group chat: what are we actually doing for their goodbye? You want to be thoughtful, but you also don't want to be the person who hands over a generic "Best Boss" mug to someone who’s actually a junior analyst. Finding what to get for a coworker who is leaving is surprisingly high-stakes because it’s the last impression you’ll make.
Honestly, most office gifts end up in the back of a closet or, worse, the trash. People change jobs more often now—Bureau of Labor Statistics data consistently shows that the median tenure for workers is only about four years. If you’re at a tech startup, it’s probably half that. You’re not just saying goodbye; you’re networking for the future.
The awkwardness of the "group gift" dynamic
We’ve all been there. Someone starts a collection, and suddenly you’re pressured to Venmo twenty bucks for a person you’ve spoken to twice. It’s weird. If you’re the one organizing it, the goal shouldn't be the most expensive item. It should be the most "them" item.
Psychology researchers like Elizabeth Dunn, who wrote Happy Money, often point out that experiences provide more lasting happiness than things. But how do you give an "experience" to a coworker? You don't necessarily need to buy them a skydiving pass. Sometimes, it's just a gift card to that one specific ramen place they always raved about during Tuesday lunches. That shows you actually listened. Listening is the rarest skill in the modern workplace.
If you're going solo on a gift, the rules change. You don't need to spend much. In fact, spending too much makes it weird. Keep it under thirty bucks unless you’re actually real-life friends. A high-quality notebook like a Leuchtturm1917 is a classic for a reason—it’s useful, looks professional, and doesn't scream "I bought this at the airport gift shop ten minutes ago."
Why most people fail at picking what to get for a coworker who is leaving
The biggest mistake? Buying for the job they are leaving instead of the person they are.
📖 Related: Is there actually a legal age to stay home alone? What parents need to know
If your marketing manager is quitting to go to culinary school, don't get them a nice pen. Get them a high-end Mercer culinary plating kit or a gift certificate to a local specialty grocer. If they’re moving to a competitor, avoid anything with your current company’s branding. It’s awkward. No one wants to sit in their new office at Google drinking from a "Steve's Logistics Solutions" tumbler. It’s basically a neon sign that says "I’m still living in the past."
Things that are actually useful (and things that aren't)
Let's be real about plants. Everyone loves the idea of a "desk plant," but unless your coworker has a proven green thumb, you're just giving them a slow-motion chore. If you must go green, get a Pothos or a Snake Plant. They are virtually impossible to kill. Avoid orchids. Orchids are beautiful for three days and then they become a stick of resentment.
- The "New Chapter" Kit: Think about their commute. Are they moving from a car commute to a train commute? A high-end subscription to an audiobook service or a pair of decent noise-canceling earbuds (if the team is chipping in) is a game-changer.
- The Local Connection: If they’re relocating to a new city, find a local coffee roaster or a famous bakery in their new town and get a gift card there. It’s a "welcome to your new life" gesture that feels incredibly thoughtful.
- Consumables: High-end olive oil, a fancy bottle of bourbon, or those ridiculously expensive Japanese strawberries. People like things they can use up. It doesn't create clutter.
The "Personal Touch" that isn't cringey
The most valuable thing you can give isn't something you buy. It’s the "Legacy Document." This isn't a formal performance review. It's a collection of real, specific moments where that person made your life easier.
"Hey, remember that time the server crashed at 4 PM on a Friday and you stayed to help me? I never forgot that."
Put that in a handwritten card. In a world of digital noise, a physical card with specific anecdotes is basically gold. It validates their time spent at the company. It proves they weren't just a cog in the machine. According to workplace culture experts at O.C. Tanner, "peer-to-peer" recognition is one of the strongest drivers of workplace satisfaction. Even when they’re leaving, knowing they were valued matters for their professional confidence.
👉 See also: The Long Haired Russian Cat Explained: Why the Siberian is Basically a Living Legend
When the departure is... complicated
Not everyone leaves on a high note. Sometimes people are laid off, or they’re quitting because the boss is a nightmare. In these cases, figuring out what to get for a coworker who is leaving requires a lot more emotional intelligence.
If the vibe is heavy, keep the gift strictly "outside of work" related. A massage voucher or a gift card for a food delivery service is a way of saying "I know this sucks, take care of yourself." Don't get anything that celebrates the "new journey" if they didn't choose to leave. It feels mocking, even if you mean well. In these scenarios, the gift is less about "congrats" and more about "solidarity."
Practical logistics for the office gift-giver
If you’re the organizer, stop using paper cards. They get lost. They get coffee stains. Use a digital platform like Kudoboard or even just a well-formatted Google Doc where people can add photos and GIFs. It’s 2026; we can do better than a folded piece of cardstock with three signatures on it.
Also, be mindful of the budget. Not everyone can drop $50 on a group gift. Set a suggested range but make it clear that contributing is optional. The worst thing you can do is make someone feel guilty because they can't afford to help buy a departing VP a Tumi suitcase.
How to handle the "Remote" goodbye
Remote work has made goodbyes feel incredibly abrupt. You close your laptop on Friday, and suddenly that person just ceases to exist in your digital ecosystem. It’s jarring.
✨ Don't miss: Why Every Mom and Daughter Photo You Take Actually Matters
If you're working with a remote coworker, shipping is your biggest hurdle. Don't ship something heavy or fragile. It'll break, or they'll have to pay a "luxury tax" of finding space for it in a small apartment. Digital gift cards are fine, but they're boring. Instead, try a "Goldbelly" delivery of a famous food from your city, or a curated gift box from a site like Knack or Boxfox that handles the shipping and presentation for you.
The final checklist for a great goodbye
Before you hit "buy" on that Amazon cart, ask yourself these three things:
- Does this item require them to do work (like a puzzle or a high-maintenance plant)?
- Is this about their past at this company or their future?
- If I received this, would I actually put it in my car, or would I leave it on the desk for the cleaning crew?
The best gifts are often the ones that acknowledge the person’s hobbies outside of their 9-to-5. If you know they spend every weekend hiking, a National Parks pass is an incredible gift. If they’re a huge nerd for mechanical keyboards, a custom artisan keycap is a deep-cut win.
Actionable steps for your next coworker exit:
- Check the "New Role" details: Go on LinkedIn. See what their new title is. If they’re moving into management for the first time, a book like The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo is actually helpful.
- The "Small Biz" Route: Instead of a big box store, hit up a local maker. A ceramic mug from a local potter feels ten times more expensive and thoughtful than a mass-produced one.
- Coordinate the "Delivery": Don't just leave the gift on their chair. If you’re in person, do a quick 5-minute huddle. If you’re remote, ensure the package arrives before their last day so they can open it while they’re still "part of the team."
- The LinkedIn Recommendation: This is the best "free" gift. Write them a glowing, specific recommendation on LinkedIn without them asking. It helps their future career and costs you five minutes of your time.
Ending a professional relationship on a high note isn't just about being "nice." It's about maintaining your network. The person you’re buying a gift for today might be the person hiring you for your dream job three years from now. Make sure they remember you as the person who actually gave a damn.
Final thoughts on the perfect exit gift
Don't overthink it, but don't under-effort it either. The sweet spot for what to get for a coworker who is leaving is something that says, "I enjoyed working with you, and I recognize you’re a human being with interests outside of these spreadsheets."
If you're stuck, go with a high-quality consumable or a very well-written note. You can't go wrong with sincerity. Even in a corporate world that often feels cold, a little bit of genuine human connection goes a long way toward making the transition easier for everyone involved.
Next Steps:
- Identify the coworker's primary hobby or their reason for leaving (promotion, relocation, or career change).
- Set a firm budget and decide if it's a solo gift or a group effort to avoid last-minute Venmo stress.
- Order the gift at least one week before their final day to account for shipping delays or signing time.