Chic on the Cheap: 24 Employee Gift Ideas for Under $20

When buying a gift for a colleague, there are two primary issues: what to buy and how to do it at a reasonable price. That's why giving some thought to the purpose and type of gift is essential. Although there are various reasons why you might purchase a gift for a coworker, the three most common occasions are birthdays, holidays or for special recognition.

Types of Employee Gifts

Because gifts of recognition are presented to recognize an employee for a specific work behavior or action, they tend to be neutral and business-focused. The recipient may have completed an important project, achieved a goal, or gone above and beyond the call to duty. Regardless of what the employee has accomplished, it's important to show appreciation - even if that just means presenting a certificate of recognition.

Birthday gifts are generally all about the individual and require you to know something about the person. Because a birthday is usually a private affair, these gifts are typically geared around a favorite sport, hobby or interest; although a neutral gift, such as ice cream and cake, can also be preferable and - better yet! - enjoyed by everyone.

The holiday season can be one of the trickiest times of the year to purchase gifts for coworkers because there are various celebrations going on. Also, in order to avoid the risk of offending someone who celebrates differently than you, keeping holiday celebrations neutral is your best bet. And if your organization has a holiday gift exchange, make sure it's completely voluntary. That way, individuals who want to opt out can choose to do so.

To select the right gift for your coworker, first determine why you are giving it. Next, decide if the gift you're planning to give will be personal or neutral in nature. Personal gifts require a pre-established relationship where you know the recipient well enough to properly determine their personal preferences. Below are some gifts that would be appropriate in either neutral or personal occasions. And, the best part? All the items are under $20.

Neutral Gifts for Under $20

Neutral gifts are those that can be given to almost anyone with the expectation that it will be appreciated. Here are a dozen neutral gift ideas for under $20:

• A Plant
• Flowers
• Movie-theater tickets
• Desk clock
• Business-card holder
• Paperweight
• Picture frame
• Stationery or note cards
• Address book
• Glass jar filled with candy
• Home-baked cookies or breads
• Bookstore gift certificate

Personal Gifts for Under $20

Personal gifts require you to know enough about the recipient to select an item that says something about them. However, this does not mean an inappropriate or sexually charged gift. Here are a dozen personal gift ideas for under $20:

• Bottle of wine
• Gourmet coffee and tea
• Bath items
• Hobby items
• Favorite DVD or CD
• Games (i.e. card, board, video)
• Specialty cookbook
• Photo album
• Specialty-store gift certificate
• Make-up tote
• Candle holder and/or candles
• Collectibles (for a personal collection)

While these lists are in no way exhaustive - there are obviously a ton of gifts that don't require you to spend a lot of money - they may get you thinking about what will work for your particular situation. And if you have any great gift ideas that you would like to share with readers, please let us know.