The best office gifts don't end up in a drawer. They earn a permanent spot on the desk and get used until the last sheet is gone.
A Gift That Replaces Something Generic
They already have a plain notepad from the supply closet. They don't need another one. Instead, a practical and gorgeously hand-illustrated, dual-functioning, 2-in-1 mousepad notepad, a desk piece they’d likely never justify buying for themselves, is the upgrade their desk has been waiting for. My Mouspad Collection was built for people who spend time in the office and deserve something more considered than a basic, boring yellow rectangle from a big-box store.
The Illustration Tells You Something About Them
When you choose a Palm Mousepad Notepad for the coworker counting down to her beach vacation, or a King Gator for the coworker who's oozing swagger, or a Peacock for the one whose desk is already the most elegantly curated in the office, you've communicated that you notice the little details. That's what separates a considered gift from a convenient one.
Nine Desk Gifts For Coworkers Worth Getting
Every notepad, jotter, and mousepad notepad below is flat-printed with eco-friendly, soy-based inks on premium USA-made, textured paper, proudly designed and printed in New Orleans. Better yet, all stocked items are ready to ship, so you'll be ready even in a time crunch since stocked items ship in 1-2 days.
The Sir Writes A Lot Mousepad Notepad
crowned songbird, perched confidently atop a fountain pen, on one of my favorite desk essentials: a clever 2-in-1 mousepad and oversized tear-off notepad with a built-in perpetual calendar. It’s equal parts practical and beautiful —the kind of coworker gift that makes the workday feel a little more considered. For the colleague who still believes in the power of the handwritten notes, keeps a running to-do list, or simply appreciates beautiful things on their desk, this is a gift they’ll reach for every day. Browse my Mousepad Notepads collection for many more designs, from Royal Animals and hunting motifs to flora and fauna.
The Palm Mousepad Notepad
My finely hand-illustrated fan palm frond brings effortless coastal sophistication to the desk, with the same 2-in-1 format, 50 tear-off sheets, and perpetual calendar as the Sir Writes A Lot Mousepad Notepad above. For the coworker whose aesthetic leans toward the graceful and quietly Southern, this botanical notepad is equally at home on a desk in the city or a home office that wishes it had a view of the tropics.
The Peacock Mousepad Notepad
My exquisitely hand-illustrated peacock perched atop a classical urn, rendered with the grandeur of European decorative arts, is ideal for the coworker with the most gorgeously appointed desk in the office. After all, a peacock is a showy bird that commands presence on any surface it lands on. Browse my Gifts Collection for additional options when their taste runs particularly elevated.
The Empire Bee Mousepad Notepad
This mousepad notepad showcases my hand-illustrated Imperial bee encircled by a Neo-Classical laurel wreath, a timeless symbol of industry, prosperity, and French elegance that has graced everything from Napoleonic courts to the finest decorative arts. For the hardworking coworker who brings that same energy to everything she touches, my For Gifting collection has coordinating pieces that pair perfectly with this one.
The King Gator Mousepad Notepad
My iconic crowned alligator is bold, confident, and utterly unbothered — a nod to one of the most ancient and adaptable creatures on the planet, wearing its crown like it's always belonged there. For the coworker with serious swagger, the desk that could use a little more personality, or anyone who appreciates a desk accessory with real presence, this is a wonderful conversation starter every time someone walks by.
The Boss Long Pad
For the coworker who leads with confidence, whether they're running a business or running a household, my elegantly framed "Boss" design draws on vintage typography and timeless ornamentation to celebrate anyone who approaches every day with purpose and style. This 100-sheet long pad is a tasteful, understated way to acknowledge someone's drive without saying a word. For more options in this format, browse the full Long Pad collection.
The Things To Do Long Pad
For the coworker who appreciates a little unapologetic wit with their to-do list, this saucy long pad pairs an ornate hand-drawn frame inspired by antique European engravings with a cheekier title than you'd expect. Equal parts elegant and irreverent, it's the perfect gift for the busy professional, entrepreneur, or overachiever who conquers chaotic days with a sense of humor.
Pineapple Jotters And Scallop Jotters
My 3" x 5" jotters are what I reach for in my own bag when I need to write something down fast in style. The Honeybee and Pineapple Jotters carry the warmth of Southern hospitality and the spirit of welcome in every illustration, while my Scallop Jotters bring the coastal, nautical elegance of the sea to an everyday, practical piece. Both are 20-card packs with rounded edges, flat-printed on USA-made Ecru-textured Laid 100# Cover stock. For the coworker who is always on the move and deserves something more sophisticated than a sticky note, browse my full Jotters Collection for the complete range.
Workplace Gift Giving: Stationery That Dazzles
The best desk gifts for coworkers aren't chosen randomly. Two things narrow it down: the format that fits their day, and the illustration that fits their personality.
The Format That Fits Their Day
If she spends most of her day at the same desk, a mousepad notepad anchors her workspace and becomes the first thing she reaches for every morning. On the other hand, if he's always moving between rooms, meetings, and situations, jotters travel with him and keep up without asking him to slow down. For a group gift, a mousepad notepad makes a strong, standalone statement, and a customizable long pad is another excellent option when the whole team wants to chip in on something, the recipient's name or title can be printed right on.
The Illustration That Fits Their World
Match the design to what they already love. The King Gator is best suited for leaders and characters, whereas the Peacock belongs to the woman with the most elegantly curated desk in the building. From there, the Empire Bee belongs to the one who runs everything and never seems tired. If you know their aesthetic, that's your answer. If you're less sure, the Palm and the Empire Bee are the most broadly appealing designs in this collection, and the ones I'd reach for when the recipient is slightly less known to me.
Practical Coworker Gifts That Work All Year
My desk pieces earn their keep across more workplace gift-giving occasions than just the holidays, and every single one comes in at $20 or less. Here is when they shine.
- Secret Santa And White Elephant: A luxurious multi-functioning, mousepad notepad, priced at just $20, is the White Elephant gift everyone actually wants to keep. It arrives looking considered and stays on the desk of whoever wins it, which is the best outcome for everyone in the room.
- Work Anniversaries And Farewell Gifts: A piece from my desk collection acknowledges the milestone without feeling like a placeholder. For a departure gift, it travels with her to the next desk and stays there as a reminder of the people who gave it.
- New Hire Welcome Gifts: A gorgeously illustrated Empire Bee mousepad notepad or a pack of Beehive jotters on a new coworker's desk on their first day is the kind of workplace gift giving that sets the tone immediately, all for $20 or less. It says this team pays attention, and we're so happy you're here.
- The Just-Because Gift: Some coworkers deserve acknowledgment outside of a scheduled occasion. A King Gator Mousepad Notepad on a random Tuesday after a long project is the type of gesture that lands harder than any formal gift because nobody expected it.
Every piece I make for the desk is designed to be used until the last sheet, not stored until the right occasion. That's the standard I hold every desk gift to.
