How Much to Spend on a Coworker Gift
Keep it near $25, and give to the boss only as a group. The Emily Post Institute says the best way to give to a boss is as a department or group, and gifts to close colleagues should be given discreetly, preferably outside the office. For an office gift exchange, Elfster's typical limits are $10 to $30, and etiquette coach Maggie Oldham recommends $25.
| Who | Spend | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Office Secret Santa | $25 | Maggie Oldham, etiquette coach |
| Office gift exchange | $10–$30 | Elfster |
| Close colleague | Moderately priced, given outside the office | Emily Post Institute |
| Boss | A share of a group gift, whatever each person chooses | Emily Post Institute |
Good to know
- Collecting for the boss: the Emily Post Institute suggests a deadline and an envelope for anonymous contributions, and says it's fine to suggest an amount as long as the amount, and taking part at all, is up to each person.
- Giving to some coworkers and not others is better done away from the office, so nobody notices who was left out.
Gifts for Coworkers under $25
Questions
Should I buy my boss a Christmas gift? Not on your own. The Emily Post Institute says the best way to give to a boss or supervisor is as a department or group.
How much should I spend on a coworker? Around $25. That is the office exchange limit etiquette coach Maggie Oldham recommends, inside Elfster's typical $10 to $30 range.
Do I have to give every coworker a gift? No. Gifts to close colleagues are fine; the Emily Post Institute advises giving them discreetly, preferably outside the office.
Sources
Checked October 2026. A survey is named with its year.
- Emily Post Institute, holiday gift-giving tips for the office
- Elfster, A Guide to Secret Santa Rules (Dec 2023)
- Entrepreneur, The Do's and Don'ts of the Office Secret Santa (Dec 2015)
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