Best Farewell Gifts for Colleagues: How To Gift Memorable Parting Presents

Bidding farewell to a beloved colleague can be a bittersweet moment. While you may feel sad to see them go, now’s your chance to turn it into a positive one!

At best, gifting a thoughtful farewell gift to a colleague is a way to express your appreciation for their friendship and hard work all this time.

A well-chosen farewell gift can also show gratitude. Such a gift celebrates their achievements and contributions to the workplace, and wishes them well as they move on to their next endeavor.

It’s also likely for your gift to ease the transition and provide a sense of closure for both the departing colleague and the remaining team members or workmates.

Your farewell gift for a colleague could convey lots of meaning — if you're wondering what kind of memorable present you can gift, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our best-kept list of great gifts for colleagues that will put a smile on their faces.

Farewell Gift Ideas for Fashion and Luxury-Loving Colleagues

Dressed to impress at work? For the colleagues who have an eye for style and a penchant for luxury, consider these elegant and sophisticated farewell gift options:

• Leather Tote Bag: A high-quality leather tote bag with their initials or a special message engraved can be a practical and chic parting gift for the style-savvy colleague.
• Designer Silk Scarf: Wrap up your farewell with a luxurious silk scarf from a renowned local fashion house, designed with cultural motifs.
• Elegant Fountain Pen: For the colleague who loves to write, a beautifully crafted fountain pen, such as a Montblanc or Waterman, can be a thoughtful and timeless gift.

Farewell Gift Ideas for Bookworm and Introverted Colleagues

If your colleague is a voracious reader or prefers quiet contemplation, choose a farewell gift that resonates with their inner personality.

• Book Collection: Curate a selection of books that are bestsellers in their genre, and have the covers customized with a special message or their name.
• Cozy Reading Nook Essentials: Create a cozy reading nook on-the-go for them, with a plush throw blanket, a stylish book lamp, and a high-quality bookmark.
• Noise-Canceling Headphones: Help your introverted colleague find their zen with a pair of top-of-the-line noise-canceling headphones, perfect for immersing themselves in their favorite music or audiobooks.

Farewell Gift Ideas for Colleagues Who Are Moving On to a New Job

Congratulations! You’re happy for the colleague who is about to embark on a new professional chapter — look for farewell gifts that will help them feel supported and excited about the next step of their career. 

• Leather Portfolio or Padfolio: A sleek and professional-looking portfolio or padfolio can be a practical and stylish gift for a colleague starting a new job. Add custom engraving of your colleague’s name or initials for a personalized touch.
• Gift Card for Office Supplies: A gift card to a popular office supply store, such as Staples or Office Depot, can help your colleague stock up on the essentials for their new workspace.
• Inspirational Book: Consider gifting a motivational or career-focused book, journal, or planner that can provide encouragement and guidance as they navigate their new role.

Farewell Gift Ideas for Colleagues Who Are Retiring

Wishing farewell to a colleague who is retiring calls for a more sentimental and celebratory approach. Here are some ideas that will honor their long-standing career, and at the same time, encourage some well-deserved rest.

• Retirement Plaque: Commemorate their years of service with a beautifully engraved plaque that highlights their achievements and contributions.
• Retirement Scrapbook or Photo Album: Gather photos, memories, and well-wishes from the team to create a heartfelt keepsake that captures their journey.
• Retirement Celebration Package: Put together a retirement celebration package that includes a bottle of fine wine, a gift card for a retirement party, and a personalized card from the team.

Farewell Gift Ideas for Health and Wellness-Loving Colleagues

As we age, we realize how good health is the most valuable thing to own. For colleagues who prioritize their health and wellness, these thoughtful farewell gift options ensure their wellness and good health are taken care of.

• High-Quality Fitness Tracker: Help them stay motivated and on top of their fitness goals with a top-of-the-line fitness tracker, like a Fitbit or an Apple Watch.
• Wellness Pampering Package: Treat them to a relaxing spa day with a gift card for a massage, or fashion a wellness goodie box with essential oils and other rejuvenating treatments.
• Gourmet Healthy Snack Basket: Curate a basket filled with premium, nutritious snacks and healthy treats to support their wellness journey — you might also introduce them to a new, healthy snack staple.

Farewell Gift Ideas for Colleagues Who Have Been Promoted

Dedication does pay off: Celebrating a colleague's promotion with a congratulatory farewell gift can be a meaningful way to acknowledge their hard work and success.

• Engraved Executive Pen Set: A high-quality pen set, with their name or a personalized message engraved, can be a sophisticated and practical gift for a colleague moving into a leadership role.
• Professional Development Course: Consider gifting a course or training program that aligns with their new responsibilities and can help them excel in their new position.
• Desk Accessory: A custom-made desk accessory, such as a nameplate or a stylish business card holder, can be a thoughtful and functional farewell gift.

Farewell Gift Ideas for Foodie Colleagues

If you know a colleague with have a passion for food and fine dining, these farewell gift ideas are sure to delight their palate:

• Gourmet Cooking Class: Treat them to a hands-on cooking class where they can learn new culinary skills and techniques.
• Artisanal Food Subscription Box: Sign them up for a subscription to a premium food delivery service, such as a monthly cheese or charcuterie box.
• Engraved Cutting Board: So your colleague is something of a chef? A high-quality wooden cutting board with their name or a recipe engraved can be a practical and thoughtful gift for the culinary enthusiast.

Farewell Gifts for Extroverted and Thrill-Seeking Colleagues

For colleagues who thrive on adventure and excitement, these farewell gift ideas can help them celebrate their departure in style:

• Skydiving or Bungee Jumping Experience: Gift them an adrenaline-fueled experience, like a tandem skydive or bungee jump, to commemorate their farewell.
• Tickets to a Sporting Event or Concert: Surprise them with tickets to see their favorite sports team or musical artist perform live.
• Exotic Vacation Package: Treat them to a once-in-a-lifetime trip, such as a safari in Africa or a luxury cruise to a tropical destination.

Conclusion: Why Giving Farewell Gifts to Colleagues Is Important

Farewell gifts for a special colleague can mean one of a few things:

• Honor their Contributions: A farewell gift acknowledges the time, effort, and expertise your colleague has dedicated to work and to your team.
• Foster Positive Memories: A thoughtful parting present can help your colleague remember their time with your company fondly, even as they embark on a new journey.
• Strengthen Relationships: Giving a farewell gift demonstrates that you value the professional and personal connections you've built over the years.
• Boost Morale: Seeing a colleague off with a thoughtful gesture can inspire the rest of the team and foster a positive, supportive work culture.

If you're struggling to find the perfect farewell gift for a colleague, consider reaching out to our team of gift experts. We can help you select a thoughtful, personalized, and meaningful gift that will leave a lasting impression.

Hey! You can also show some gratitude to current colleagues with a gift at work to create an impression. We have some great ideas to try, have a go at them.