Farewell Gift for a Colleague: What Fits Which Farewell?
Retirement, job change, or end of contract — for every situation, a fitting gift, including budget, 10 ideas, and a practical step-by-step plan for group gifts. With choice gifts via a choice portal.
The right farewell gift for a colleague depends on three things: the reason for leaving (retirement, another job, end of contract), the length of service, and how personal your relationship was. Budget typically ranges from €25–€150 per giver, or €10–€25 per employee for a group gift. Choice gifts work best — the colleague chooses for themselves, no inappropriate gift, just the gesture.
Farewell Gift for a Colleague — What Fits Which Farewell?
A farewell gift stays in the leaver’s memory for years. Not because of its value, but because of the effort behind it. This guide: budget by situation, 10 ideas that always work, and a practical step-by-step plan for the group gift.
Budget depends on the type of farewell: retirement €200–€750 group gift, job change €75–€250, short service €25–€75. Choice gifts via a choice portal work best — the colleague chooses from 1,200+ options themselves, so there are no misses. Always combine it with a personal card or handwritten book. Avoid office supplies, branded company merchandise, generic bouquets, and alcohol without context.
Why It’s Worth Thinking Carefully About a Farewell Gift
A farewell gift often stays in the leaver’s memory for years. Not because of its value, but because of the effort behind it. A generic bouquet feels obligatory; a thoughtful gift feels like, “they really thought about me.” The data shows that 73% of employees can still remember their farewell vividly — including whether the gift felt personal or not.
The trick is not the most expensive gift, but the match between the situation, the length of service, and the person. This guide helps you get that right quickly.
Farewell Gift by Situation
Colleague Retiring (25+ Years of Service)
This is the most emotional farewell. It is often accompanied by a personal book (handwritten contributions from all colleagues), a piece of art, or an experience for the couple. Typically: a combination of a physical gift + an experience.
Suggestions: a choice gift with a higher budget, a trip or restaurant experience for two, a personal album with photos and inside jokes, or a combination of a quality product + choice gift card.
Colleague Changing Jobs (5–15 Years of Service)
Medium-sized farewell. A choice gift works brilliantly here: let the colleague choose something that fits the new chapter. Optional: a personal card with contributions from the team.
Suggestions: choice gift of €100–€200, an experience for two (restaurant, workshop), engraved quality product (pen, notebook, watch).
Colleague with Short Service (1–3 Years)
A smaller group contribution. A personal message, a good book, or a small choice gift card are standard and never out of place.
Suggestions: choice gift €35–€50, handwritten card from the team, a book that suits the person.
Temporary Contract Ends / Internship Ends
Usually a personal message plus a small token of appreciation. More important than the value: the gesture itself.
Suggestions: small choice gift card, shared card with contributions, small local gift (chocolate, book, plant).
Overview: Budget and Gift by Situation
| Situation | Group budget | Contribution per person | Best gift type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement (25+ yrs) | €200–€750 | €25–€50 | Experience + book |
| Job change (5–15 yrs) | €75–€250 | €15–€30 | Choice gift + card |
| Short service (1–3 yrs) | €25–€75 | €10–€15 | Choice gift card |
| Internship / temporary | €15–€40 | €5–€10 | Card + small token |
10 Farewell Gift Ideas That Always Work
Choice gift with personal card
1,200+ options, the colleague chooses for themselves, no misses.
Handwritten book
Every colleague writes a page. Unbeatable in terms of personal touch.
Experience for two
Restaurant, hotel stay, workshop — something to enjoy with a partner or friend.
Meaningful piece of art
Local artist, with a reference to something from their working years.
Travel gift
For someone retiring, as a symbol of “now it’s time for yourself.”
Personal album
Photos, moments, inside jokes — assembled by the team.
Gift card for a passion
If you know they garden, cycle, or read. Specific, not generic.
Wine selection from the birth year
Personal, festive, and easy to arrange.
Engraved quality product
Watch, pen, notebook with a name. Fits serious milestones.
Combination: small physical gift + larger choice gift card
The best of both worlds — show effort while still giving freedom of choice.
What Not to Give
Avoid these classic farewell mistakes
- Office supplies (feels like “here’s some work”)
- Anything with the company logo (unless clearly wanted)
- Generic bouquets (they literally and figuratively wilt)
- Gift cards from a random store without context
- Alcohol without knowing whether they drink
I’ve worked here for 18 years now and I still remember the gift from my previous job exactly — a handwritten book from all the colleagues. I still take that book out of the cupboard sometimes. That’s what a farewell gift should do.
Employee, business servicesOrganizing a Group Gift — Step-by-Step
Collect the budget
One colleague takes the lead and asks for €10–€30 per person. HR can contribute to major farewell moments.
Choose the type of gift
Choice gift = zero risk. Physical gift = more impact if you know the colleague well.
Write a card
No “thanks for the collaboration.” Make it specific: a memory, an inside joke, a particular compliment.
Hand it over at the right moment
Last day + a public moment (lunch, meeting) works better than a one-on-one goodbye.
Tax — Can a Farewell Gift Be Expensed?
As an employer: Farewell gifts fall under the Work-related Costs Scheme (WKR). The free space is 2% of the first €400,000 in payroll, and 1.18% above that. For regular farewell gifts, this is more than enough. Read the full WKR tax guide.
As colleagues among themselves: If you pool money yourselves, it is a private gift and not tax-relevant — no WKR, no administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
A group gift between €75–€250 for long-term service, €25–€75 for shorter periods. Choice gifts work best — the colleague chooses from 1,200+ options themselves, with no misses.
Between €10 and €30 per colleague is common. For retirement farewells, often €25–€50. No one should feel obliged to give more than they can afford.
A budget of €200–€750 as a group gift. A combination of an experience (trip, restaurant) and a personal item (book with contributions, artwork) scores highest.
As an employer, this falls under the WKR. If colleagues pool money themselves, it is a private gift and not tax-relevant.
Anything generic, company-logo clutter, or work-related (office supplies). Also alcohol without knowing whether someone drinks. Generic bouquets literally and figuratively wilt.
Yes, Cadeo invoices by standard net 30 days after delivery — even for a single gift. No credit card or upfront payment required.
