The most wanted gifts for coworkers

Moleskine Classic Hardcover Notebook

Wanted for Promising a fresh start nobody will fully follow through on.

A classic notebook with a smooth page and a nice, simple cover. It's a safe, tasteful gift for a coworker or a writer, especially when you've got no idea what else they like.

Why it's here It's nearly impossible to get wrong, and it looks a bit more thoughtful than a gift card.

Let it slide if They take every note on an iPad.

LAMY Safari Fountain Pen

Wanted for Making grocery lists feel far more important than they are.

A sturdy, modern German fountain pen that's a favorite first step into the hobby. It's a small, stylish way to make someone's everyday writing feel special. Add a box of ink cartridges.

Why it's here A small upgrade to something they do every day. Pair it with the notebook for a sharp little set.

Let it slide if They only ever type or they're left-handed and fussy about smudges.

Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle

Wanted for Solving the sip-or-swig debate with one lid.

An insulated bottle with a built-in straw and a wide opening for big gulps. It comes in a long list of colors and is the kind of everyday upgrade people use until the paint wears off.

Why it's here Practical, popular, and you can pick a color you know they like without getting personal.

Let it slide if They're fiercely loyal to the giant cup with the handle.

Desktop Punching Bag

Wanted for Absorbing the blows meant for Gary in accounting.

A miniature punching bag that suctions onto a desk, with tiny gloves to match. It's office stress relief at its dumbest, and it's a great pick for a coworker exchange.

Let it slide if Their desk is shared or their coworkers are easily startled.

Archie McPhee Yodeling Pickle

Wanted for Yodeling. It's a pickle. It yodels. That's the entire case.

Press the button and a plastic pickle yodels at you. It serves no purpose at all, which is why it gets fought over at gift exchanges and lives on someone's desk for years.

Let it slide if The recipient shares a small office with anyone who values silence.

TRUFF Original Hot Sauce

Wanted for Putting truffle on things that didn't ask for it.

A black truffle hot sauce in a bottle that looks more like a cologne. It's an easy upgrade from everyday hot sauce, and it looks expensive enough to feel like a real present.

Let it slide if They think truffle tastes like gasoline. Some people do.

AeroPress Original Coffee Maker

Wanted for Making excellent coffee out of a plastic tube.

A small, nearly indestructible press that brews smooth coffee in about a minute. Coffee nerds swear by it, beginners find it easy, and it packs well for travel or the office.

Let it slide if They want coffee at the press of a button and no steps at all.

Rocketbook Core Reusable Notebook

Wanted for Filling a notebook, wiping it clean, and doing it again.

A reusable notebook that scans handwritten pages to the cloud with a phone app, then wipes clean with a damp cloth. It suits students and meeting-heavy office workers.

Let it slide if They love the feel of real paper and a nice pen.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm Multipack

Wanted for Vanishing from purses, pockets, and desk drawers on a regular basis.

A pack of the classic beeswax lip balm in a few different flavors. It's a safe, cheap stocking stuffer that nobody minds getting and everybody eventually loses.

Let it slide if You're looking for something with a little more wow.

Codenames Board Game

Wanted for Making smart friends yell single words at each other.

A team word game that's simple to teach and works best with four or more. It's one of the most dependable party games around, especially with people who don't usually play board games.

Let it slide if They usually play as just two people. Look at Codenames: Duet instead.

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

Wanted for Making tiny waffles that nobody needs but everybody wants.

A small, cheap waffle iron that comes in cheerful colors and takes up almost no room. It's perfect for dorm rooms and first apartments, and also for the person who finds it hilarious.

Let it slide if They've got no spare kitchen space at all.

Apple AirTag

Wanted for Knowing exactly where the keys went.

A coin-size tracker that shows lost keys, bags, or luggage on an iPhone map. It's small, useful, and something plenty of people keep meaning to buy for themselves.

Let it slide if They use Android. AirTag needs an Apple device.