Remote work is here to stay, and whether you're shopping for a loved one's birthday or to surprise a hardworking colleague for the holiday season, the perfect gift can make their daily grind a little lovelier. From boosting productivity to adding a touch of personality to their workspace, the right present can transform a mundane home office into a haven for creativity.
Here are the best gifts for remote workers in 2024 to help you choose thoughtful and practical items that will make a real difference in their work-from-home experience.
1. Ergonomic Office Chair
Most people who work from home do a lot of sitting, which can lead to health problems and pain. That’s why an ergonomic office chair is an investment in comfort, productivity, and long-term health that they’ll appreciate as a thoughtful gift. It’s designed to promote good posture and reduce strain on the back and neck. Make sure it has lumbar support, armrests, and seat height that are all adjustable to fit the user's unique needs.
An ergonomic office chair shows that you care about the recipient's well-being and success in their home office setup. It's a great gift idea that will be appreciated for years to come.
If you don’t have the funds to purchase one but you know someone who could use a new office chair, consider a gift card they can use toward their purchase! A gift card for a store like Best Buy, Office Depot, or a more niche office furniture brand is a versatile option they can use to find just what they need.
2. Coffee Mug
A well-chosen coffee mug can be a little daily source of joy for someone working from home. This thoughtful gift combines practicality with a personal touch, making it perfect for remote workers.
Consider the recipient's personality when choosing a coffee mug for a gift. A mug with a cute or witty phrase makes for a funny gift and can also be a great conversation starter during virtual meetings. A stylish mug might be more appropriate for a boss or someone you have a more formal relationship with. Even a travel mug can be a great gift for a remote worker — some of them keep drinks hot or cold for hours!
Don't underestimate the power of a good coffee mug as a gift for coworkers. It's a practical item that gets used daily, making it a constant reminder of your thoughtfulness. Whether it's a sleek, modern design or one with a funny quote, the right cup can bring a smile to the gift recipient's face every time they use it.
3. Desk Lamp
Proper lighting is crucial for a productive home office, making a desk lamp a great gift idea for anyone working from home. Good lighting reduces eye strain and offers targeted illumination, reducing glare on computer screens and making just about any type of work easier.
When shopping for a desk lamp for someone else, consider functionality and style. Many modern lamps come with adjustable brightness settings and color temperature options. Some have built-in USB ports for charging devices, too. A stylish lamp can also be a design focal point, adding character to the home office. Whether it's a sleek, minimalist design or a more artistic piece, the right lamp can complement your friend or loved one’s decor while serving a practical purpose.
Gifting a desk lamp contributes to a comfortable, efficient, and visually appealing work environment. It's a thoughtful addition to any work from home gift guide and a present they’ll appreciate every day.
4. Desk Calendar
Even in the digital age, a desk calendar can be super helpful for many employees working from home. It's a tangible, screen-free way to visualize time and stay organized in a world of virtual meetings and digital schedules. It’s the best way to get a quick view of the month ahead at a glance, especially when your eyes could use a break now and then.
Consider options that align with the recipient's work style and personal preferences. They often come with different features they might appreciate, like:
- Monthly goal-setting sections
- Inspirational quotes for each day
- Space for notes and task lists
A desk calendar can also be useful during virtual meetings, when they need to make quick notes about scheduling and planning. It's a thoughtful present that combines functionality with a touch of traditionalism to balance remote workers’ digital existence.
5. Coffee Subscription
For coffee lovers working from home, a coffee subscription or gift set offers more than just support for their caffeine fix — it’s a way to brighten each day with something a little extra special they might not have splurged on for themselves. It can be a perfect holiday gift that turns into a year-round present.
Some subscriptions come as a curated gift box of artisanal blends and brewing tips, which is great for coffee drinkers who love to learn. This gift idea combines practicality with luxury, supporting their productivity and while giving them a little treat to look forward to in the home office.
6. Seat Cushion
While an ergonomic office chair is ideal, a high-quality seat cushion can be just as much of a boost for home office comfort. They’re a less expensive option for providing extra support during long hours of sitting, promoting better posture and reducing lower back strain. I personally recommend Cushion Lab. I have a chronic pain condition (rheumatoid arthritis), and their seat and back cushions have helped a lot in the past few months!
A good seat cushion can transform an ordinary chair into a more ergonomic seating option, making it a thoughtful addition to any home office setup. It's especially helpful for those who alternate between different work areas in their home, since they can move it from chair to chair. Contribute to your favorite remote worker’s overall well-being, helping them stay comfortable and focused during their workday.
7. Scented Candle
A nontoxic, eco-friendly scented candle can soothe or stimulate the mind for a more productive home office. It’s a thoughtful gift that can transform a workspace, promoting relaxation and focus through aromatherapy. Consider how these different scents can influence mood and productivity:
- Lavender Pound Cake for calm and comfort
- A mood-boosting, citrusy candle like Paradise
- Enchanted Woods with cool pine notes for mental clarity
A high-quality scented candle is a great gift that shows care for the gift recipient's well-being, helping them create a personalized, stress-reducing work atmosphere. Bonus points for candles with reusable containers they can repurpose as drinkware or pen cups!
8. Gift Card
Sometimes, the perfect gift is the gift of choice. A gift card is a versatile and practical way to contribute to a coworker's or family member's home office setup. Whether it’s a corporate gift or holiday gift, let the recipient pick out exactly what they need, be it a new gadget or decor item.
This great gift shows thoughtfulness while ensuring the recipient gets something they truly want or need. It respects their preferences and specific home office requirements, making it a safe bet for gift-givers who want to contribute to their loved ones' work-from-home comfort and productivity.
For instance, everyone loves a high-quality scented candle — but it can be hard to know what scent they’d prefer. That’s where a gift card to your favorite candle company comes in.
9. Standing Desk
These versatile pieces of furniture let workers alternate between sitting and standing throughout the workday for better posture and more movement. They can also improve focus and productivity in a loved one’s home office setup, making standing desks one of the best work-from-home gifts for anyone who needs a more ergonomic workspace.
However, since a standing desk can be a big investment and personal choice, consider a gift card so your giftee can find a model that fits their specific needs and home office layout. Don’t spend so much unless you know exactly what they need — a gift card will help them get the best work setup possible!
10. Desk Organizer
Desk space is valuable real estate when you work from home. A clutter-free workspace is key to maintaining focus and efficiency, especially in a home office where personal and professional lives tend to intersect.
So, a desk organizer a great gift idea for busy workers who need their workspace to stay tidy and functional. With designated spots for office supplies, documents, and gadgets, a well-designed organizer can transform a chaotic desk into a model of efficiency. Reduce your loved one’s workday stress and help them present a professional appearance in virtual meetings when their coworkers can see how neat and organized their space is.
This is the perfect gift for helping someone optimize their workspace and boost productivity.
11. Lap Desk
This versatile work surface lets workers set up their home office wherever they feel comfy, whether it's on the couch, in bed, or even outdoors. A good lap desk provides a stable surface for laptops, tablets, or notepads, often with features like built-in mouse pads or phone holders. It's one of the best work from home gifts for those who like to change their scenery throughout the day or for anyone living in a small space where a traditional desk might not fit.
Help prevent the fatigue and stiffness your home-office-worker might experience from sitting in one position all day with a thoughtful (and often pretty affordable) lap desk.
Transform Their Home Office One Gift at a Time
The right tools, accessories, and little luxuries can make all the difference in creating a productive, comfortable, and enjoyable home office environment. From ergonomic chairs that support their posture to standing desks that keep them moving, each item above can optimize your friend’s, coworker’s, or loved one’s work-from-home experience in a unique way.
As you consider these gift ideas, think about the unique needs and preferences of the remote worker in your life. Think they’d love a new candle to spruce up their home office? Check out my selection of eco-friendly, nontoxic soy candles in gorgeous reusable glassware at The Glow Co. If you can’t decide on the perfect scent to choose for the larger size, my mini mason jar candles make for a perfect gift set!
Whatever you choose, these thoughtful gifts are sure to be appreciated by the hardworking remote professional in your life. You can’t go wrong with these tips.