A funny gift is one of the easiest ways to get a real laugh out of a coworker without spending much or overthinking it. The trick is picking something they’ll actually keep on their desk, not something that ends up in a drawer. Here’s where to look and what to buy.
Where can you find funny coworker gifts?
Novelty and gag gift shops are the obvious first stop, but they don’t let you add a name, an inside joke, or a company logo. For something more personal, custom promotional sites like iPromo let you put a name, message, or logo on everyday office items- mugs, pens, mouse pads, stress toys- so the joke is made just for that person instead of pulled off a shelf. Many items also ship in small quantities, so you’re not stuck buying a case of something for a single coworker.
Popular Funny Desk Accessories & Plaques
A desk accessory with a bit of personality gets noticed every time someone walks by the cubicle.
- Desk organizers and caddies that can be personalized with a name or joke title instead of a job title
- Executive desk games like travel game sets or stacking tower games for a coworker who needs a break between meetings
- A desk plant (real or fake) as a low-effort, low-maintenance gag for the person who kills every plant they own
Humorous Mugs & Drinkware
Mugs are the classic funny office gift because everyone uses one, and everyone will see the joke every time they walk past the break room.
- Custom coffee mugs printed with a name, title, or one-liner
- Ceramic mugs in a shape or color that matches the joke, from oversized “world’s okayest employee” mugs to mini ones for the coworker who’s always in a rush
Personalized Pens for Office Thieves
Every office has a pen thief, and putting someone’s name directly on the barrel is both funny and genuinely useful.
- Personalized executive pens with a name or initials engraved, so there’s no question whose desk it wandered off from
- Novelty pens in fun shapes or styles for a lighter, less serious version of the same joke
Picture-Perfect Mouse Pads
A mouse pad is one of the few desk items with enough surface space for a full photo, not just a small logo.
- Custom mouse pads printed in full color, good for a coworker’s face, their pet, or an embarrassing throwback photo
- Gel or wrist-rest styles for a version that’s actually comfortable to use every day, not just a gag
Custom Stress Relievers
Stress balls work as both a joke and a genuinely useful desk toy, especially in a shape that pokes fun at someone’s role or personality.
- Stress balls by shape, including hearts, houses, and even a dollar sign for the coworker in finance
- Animal-shaped stress relievers like a pig or a cow for an easy, harmless joke
Gag Office Supplies
Small, everyday supplies make for easy stocking-stuffer-style gifts, and personalizing them keeps the joke from feeling generic.
- Custom office supplies, including sticky notes, notepads, and desk accessories that can carry a name or a running office joke
- Novelty pens or stress toys bundled together into a small gag gift set for a birthday or work anniversary.
Summary
Funny coworker gifts work best when they’re personal, not generic. A mug, pen, mouse pad, or stress ball with a name, inside joke, or funny photo turns an everyday desk item into something worth a laugh. Custom promotional sites like iPromo make this easy by letting you personalize practical office items instead of buying a one-off novelty gift that gets tossed after the joke wears off.