All tips
Budget & price
Work budget for colleague gifts: professional and fair
Reading time: about 3 minutes133 words
Quick answer
Office traditions need an amount that works for everyone.
Colleague gifts — Secret Santa, anniversary, year-end — sit in a different atmosphere than family. Spending too much feels awkward, too little as well.
A neutral, low budget with clear agreements is the key.
Coordinate with HR or a few colleagues
Ten to fifteen euros is common. Higher only if the whole department agrees.
Keep it anonymous where possible
Secret Santa works best without pressure to impress.
Avoid overly personal gifts
Alcohol, perfume, or jokes about appearance — better not at the office.
Document agreements in the group
Budget, deadline, anonymity — everything in the gift-draw app or email.
Conclusion: how to put it into practice
Colleague gifts need modest budget and clear rules. Neutral, anonymous, and recorded — then it stays cozy.