When a standout teammate hands in their notice, finding a farewell gift that strikes the right balance between personal, practical, and professional can feel tricky. You want something that honors the time you worked together without sitting in a desk drawer collecting dust.
Whether they are stepping into a new role, transitioning to full remote work, or starting an entirely new chapter, here is a curated guide to farewell gifts coworkers actually use and appreciate—featuring handcrafted desk items from Mrs. B’s Stationery & Gift Shop.
Quick Etiquette: Choosing the Right Farewell Gift
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Match the gift to their next step: A remote worker needs cozy home desk comforts; someone moving to a fast-paced office will appreciate fresh daily planners and portable tumblers.
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Keep individual gifts under $30: Unless pooling funds across the department for a big group item, individual gifts should feel thoughtful without creating awkward obligation.
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Always pair it with a written note: A personalized card with real memories often means more than the gift itself.
1. Daily Essentials for Their New Desk
Starting a new position comes with new workflows and a fresh desk setup. Elevating their daily organization helps them feel confident and structured on Day 1.
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Personalized Daily Planner Pads: Swap plain sticky notes for an aesthetic pad like the Sunflower Daily Planner or Busy Bee Productivity Notepad. Personalized with their name, it adds a warm, custom touch to their new workspace.
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Custom Covered Notebooks: A hardbound notebook (like the Bee & Sunflower Rustic Covered Notebook or Pride & Prejudice "In a World of Wickhams Be a Darcy" Notebook) gives them a dedicated place for meeting notes and fresh goals.
Gift Idea: Pair a personalized name notepad with a matching custom ballpoint pen for an affordable, complete desk refresh set.
2. Upgraded Coffee & Tea Rituals
If your shared bond was morning coffee runs or afternoon tea breaks, a durable desk mug or travel tumbler is a foolproof farewell choice.
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Insulated Coffee Tumblers: The Bee & Sunflower Stainless Steel Tumbler or Squirrel Loves Coffee Travel Mug keeps drinks hot through long onboarding meetings.
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Humorous Desk Notepads: Pair a mug with a cheeky coffee notepad, like the "Chic, Unique & Caffeinated" Notepad or the "Life Happens, Coffee Helps" Pad. It brings lightness and humor to their new desk setup.
3. A Team Card Signed by Everyone
Never underestimate the power of written warm wishes. Rather than picking up a standard drug store card, use a high-quality greeting card set with plenty of writing room.
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Modern & Snarky Card Bundles: The Modern Masculine or Snarky Card Bundles offer sleek, high-grade cardstock for individual team members or entire departments to sign.
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Letter Writing & Pen Pal Kits: For close work friends moving to another city, gift a Personalized Snail Mail Letter Set so you can stay in touch the traditional way.
4. Desk Accessories & Small Keepsakes
For remote colleagues or lighter budget options, small functional accessories offer high utility without taking up space.
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Sunflower Bee Mouse Pads & Coasters: Keeps their workspace protected while adding soft color.
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Custom Desk Magnet List Pads: Perfect for monitoring quick tasks on office magnetic whiteboards or home fridges (like the "Things I Otter Do" Magnet Pad).
What to Write in a Coworker’s Farewell Card
Stuck on what to write? Use one of these short, natural card templates:
For a Close Work Friend:
"Work won't be the same without our daily coffee chats and frantic deadline slacks! Thank you for being such an incredible teammate and friend. Wishing you the absolute best in your next chapter!"
For a Team Leader or Mentor:
"Thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and leadership over the past years. You've made a lasting impact on our team, and I wish you continued success in your new role."
For a Remote Teammate:
"Even across screen shares, you’ve been one of the best colleagues to work with! Best of luck on this exciting new opportunity."
Find the Perfect Farewell Gift at Mrs. B's
Explore our full collection of Personalized Stationery, Custom Planners, and Desk Accessories—hand-pressed in small batches and customized with care.