Gift IdeasFarewell gift ideas
When a colleague or classmate leaves, the gift is a memory to carry. It should be easy to pack.
A handwritten letter
Say three specific things you are grateful for. It is kept longer than any object.
A framed photograph of the two of you
Choose a photo they have not seen for years. Print it larger than you think.
A box of their favourite sweets
Find out the exact shop and the exact sweet. Precision is the gift.
A potted plant
Pick a hardy one that survives missed waterings: money plant, snake plant or jade.
A good pen
For someone who still writes by hand. Have the name engraved if the shop offers it.
A bar of fine chocolate or a small chocolate box
A safe choice when you do not know someone well.
A book you loved
Write a line on the first page saying why you chose it for them.
A photo collage printed as a poster
Collect pictures from friends and family first, then join them in any collage maker and print the result.
A keychain with a name or a small photo
Useful every day and impossible to have too many of.
A desk organiser or good notebook
Neutral, useful and right for the office.
A desk plant in a ceramic pot
Something alive on the desk. Choose one that needs little light.
A mug with a line only your team understands
Inside jokes make the best farewell gifts.
A book of messages from everyone
Pass a notebook around quietly, or collect messages on the phone and print them.
A homemade cake or batch of cookies
Bake their favourite flavour and pack it in a tin they can keep.
A good umbrella or raincoat
Unromantic and thanked for every monsoon.
A steel water bottle or lunch box
Sturdy, daily and impossible to dislike.
A gift card for a shop they use
Less personal, never wasted. Good when you live far away.
A hamper of snacks and tea
Build it yourself in a reusable basket. Choose things the person actually eats.
A scarf, tie or pair of cufflinks
Accessories need no size.
Tickets to a concert, play or match
For the fan of a band, a team or the theatre. Go with them.
A travel bag or backpack
For someone starting a new job, a new city or a long-planned journey.
A first-job kit
A formal shirt, a good bag and a notebook for someone starting work.
No idea matches these choices. Set one of the boxes back to "Any".
Your shortlist
Choosing a farewell gift
- A card or book signed by everyone matters more than the object.
- Choose something small and light if the person is moving cities.
- Collect a little from everyone for one good gift.
About the spending levels
This site does not quote prices, because prices change with the city, the shop and the year. Each idea is marked with one of four levels instead:
- Token: A small gesture: the cost of a snack or a few cups of tea.
- Modest: An everyday gift for friends and family.
- Generous: A special gift for someone close or a big occasion.
- Grand: A once-in-years gift, often given by a family together.
Questions people ask
What is a good farewell gift?
A card or book signed by everyone matters more than the object. Two ideas from this page: "A framed photograph of the two of you" and "A mug with a line only your team understands".
Is it fine to give money?
In India, money in an envelope is a normal and welcome gift on most family occasions, especially weddings and festivals. Add a line of blessing and your name. See our page on shagun.
Other occasions
Guides
- Shagun: giving moneyThe envelope, the extra rupee and how to decide the amount.
- Gifting etiquetteGiving, receiving, regifting and gifts to avoid.
- Return giftsIdeas for birthdays, weddings, pujas and housewarmings.
- Gift wrappingWrap a box neatly, or wrap without paper at all.
- Gift messagesShort lines to write on a tag or card, to copy.
- Secret Santa name drawerPair everyone for a gift exchange on one phone.