Leaving Gifts for a Colleague

A leaving gift can hold the messages that might otherwise get lost in the rush of a final day. Think about how well you know your colleague and what they would enjoy taking with them. A shared print gives everyone room to contribute; a small workplace joke can suit a team with a story of its own.

A message from the whole team

The Everyone Signs print brings names and messages together beneath the recipient's name. Send a link around the group and invite colleagues to add their own words. You choose which messages appear, along with the colours, lettering and arrangement.

Give people a prompt if a blank box feels difficult. They could recall a project they enjoyed, thank the person for help with a difficult task, or wish them well in their next role. A specific memory will often sound more like the team than a collection of identical good-luck messages.

Before sharing the link, decide who will check the spelling of the recipient's name and gather contributions from people away from the office. Read the finished arrangement carefully. The print is available as a poster or with a white, black or wood frame, in three sizes.

Mark a small victory

The small victory certificate lets you type an achievement into a formal-looking document. It could celebrate surviving a particularly long project or finally finding a meeting time that suited everyone. Pick a joke the recipient has enjoyed too, rather than one that makes them the target.

Agree on the wording with someone who knows the story. Check the name and read the result aloud before choosing the final design. The certificate is offered as a poster, framed print or mug. A mug may suit a colleague who would prefer not to put an office joke on their wall.

For the team with a running joke

Meetings - Reviews makes light of a meeting that returns for another instalment. If your team spends more time choosing a lunch venue than expected, Group Chats - Reviews jokes about a tiny choice becoming a long debate.

Both designs have clothing, mug and wall art options. Consider what the person will use in their next setting. A tote or mug avoids guessing their clothing size; a print needs a place they would be happy to display it. Read the design first to make sure the humour feels right for them.

When a colleague is going on maternity leave

A note can acknowledge the time away without treating it as a permanent goodbye. Ask what name they would like the group to use and keep the message focused on the colleague. A shared print can hold kind words from the team; a separate card may be easier if the person prefers something less public.

Let them choose how much they want to share about their plans. A simple message wishing them well is enough. If the team is collecting messages, set a clear point of contact so colleagues know whom to ask about their contribution.

More gift ideas: Gifts for Software Developers and IT People.

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