When you have to say goodbye to a colleague, it’s often difficult to find the right farewell gift. In this article, we’ll give you some gift ideas that you can use to express your appreciation for the time you spent together at the company. We also provide tips on how you can make the transition to retirement or a new job as smooth as possible.
Why should you say goodbye to colleagues with a gift?
Saying goodbye to a colleague is never easy. You have worked together for a long time and even if you don’t see your colleague every day, he is still a part of your life. When it’s time to say goodbye, you’ll miss the work he did and the energy he brought to the office every day.
When we have to say goodbye to someone who has worked for or with us for many years, we need something special to show how much we appreciate their hard work and commitment. It is important that this farewell gift reflects our feelings for the person but is also useful.
There are several reasons why you should say goodbye to a colleague with a gift:
- Recognition: A gift shows that you value and are grateful for the work and contributions of your colleague.
- Remembrance: A gift can be a nice reminder of the time spent together and keep the relationship alive
- Networking: Saying goodbye to a colleague with a gift can help maintain relationships and encourage future collaboration and support.
- Etiquette: In some cultures and industries it is customary to say goodbye with a gift, so it can also be seen as courtesy and respect for your colleague.
It is of course important to make sure that the gift is appropriate and not too expensive, especially if you are saying goodbye to a colleague with whom you are not close friends.
How do I find the right farewell gift?
Before you buy something, you should think about your colleague’s interests. Look at what he likes, listen to what he says or check his social media profiles.
Think about whether he likes to go on adventures or prefers to spend quiet evenings at home. What hobbies does he have? Does he like spending time outdoors or on the couch? What kind of music does he or she listen to? Does he or she like to eat out, and if so, what kind of restaurant?
Make sure the gift fits the personality so that it is not perceived as awkward when he opens the gift on his last day at work.
Another important point is – how much money is available? Will the other colleagues also participate in a joint gift?
Which gifts are particularly popular in general?
Gift cards are popular with many, but they should be used with caution. Even though it’s easy to buy gift cards online and send them to colleagues, you should make sure that he/she really appreciates the gift.
If you know your work colleague well enough and he/she likes snacks, wine or spices, then a gift basket might be just the thing for him/her! Gift hampers come in all shapes and sizes – you can have them filled with chocolate bars or even bottles of wine.
Alternatively: A box filled with chocolates would also make an excellent parting gift, because everyone loves chocolate!
Farewell gifts for the job change
Although it is not always easy to find the right words at such moments, it is also possible to say goodbye to your colleague with an appropriate farewell gift. Our ideas for a gift for a job change would be, for example:
- A letter in which you say how much you appreciate having worked with him/her over the years. It may seem old-fashioned, but handwritten notes really show that you care about the person.
- A photo showing all colleagues together at a work-related event. What better way to remind someone of their time at your company than to give them a photo of them surrounded by their colleagues?
- A personalized mug with the name (or an existing design with the name). It’s a great way to remember the company and something he/she can use every day in their new job. And if he/she likes coffee or tea, this gift is doubly useful!
Gift ideas for retirement
Retirement gifts are always special because they recognize the years of hard work and dedication that the employee has shown.
Ideas for retirement gifts usually have a few things in common: They have sentimental value, are useful (e.g. kitchen gadgets) or can be used in the non-working future. If you’re looking for a gift idea that will leave a lasting impression on the departing employee and family, consider the following options:
- A personalized cutting board with engraving is an easy way to add a very special touch to the day. It can also be wonderfully integrated into a gift basket.
- A voucher for an event or a meal that the colleague can now use in his/her free time.
- A framed photo collage or a video montage of career highlights.
We hope that this article has given you a little insight into the world of farewell gifts and made it easier for you to find the right present.
