A long-standing colleague hands in their notice, your favourite team lead takes up a new role, or a team member moves on to another company, and suddenly you are faced with a question that seems smaller than it actually is: What do you give someone who is leaving the team? It should feel personal, not cost too much, and still express what this person has meant to you. It's no easy task, especially when you need to pull something together at short notice.

In this article, we'll show you which leaving gifts for colleagues genuinely work, where classic options reach their limits, and how you can make everyone in the office happy with a creative solution.

The classics when it comes to leaving gifts: Why they often disappoint

When someone leaves, many teams turn to the usual suspects. A lovely bouquet of flowers for a farewell seems nice, but quickly costs £40 to £60 and has wilted within a fortnight. A slice of cake at an office party is a sweet gesture, but it is often forgotten as soon as the person walks out the door. Finally, a standard gift voucher for a specific shop—say, a bookshop or a restaurant—can easily fall flat if the recipient doesn't like shopping there anyway.

The problem with most options for leaving gifts is simple: they try to suit everyone, and in the end, they don't truly suit anyone.

Better approaches: What shows you've actually put thought into it?

Truly thoughtful leaving gift ideas start right here. They offer the recipient freedom rather than restriction. A wonderful personalised photo album, for instance, where colleagues write messages, memories, and add photos—that is timeless and honours your time together. Or a shared experience as a group: a day out, a meal at a restaurant, or an evening at the cinema together before your colleague departs. This creates a genuine sense of connection once more, rather than just leaving behind an object.

But honestly: sometimes the best solution for a workplace leaving gift isn't a single product, but a voucher that doesn't feel uninspired.

Why a universal voucher is better here

The secret of a voucher as a leaving gift lies in its universality. Instead of colleagues having to guess when shopping, the individual chooses what they truly need or want themselves. The recipient picks any physical product online, whether it's a good book, new headphones, a coffee machine, or clothes. That makes it far more relaxed for everyone involved.

This doesn't make leaving gifts for colleagues any less thoughtful; it makes them significantly more practical. It shows: "We know your tastes, and that's precisely why we're giving you the choice."

Joy_ as a group gift from the team: The perfect leaving gift for colleagues

This is where Joy_ comes into play. Joy_ is a gift voucher created specifically for moments like these: the recipient chooses any physical product online, and Joy_ buys and delivers it directly. The major advantage when it comes to leaving gifts for colleagues is Joy_'s group function.

Instead of individual colleagues buying separate presents, you can use the Joy_ collection pot to pool money together. In this way, small contributions turn into a generous gift that everyone has chipped in for. It feels more personal, yet doesn't cost each individual much. The amount is split transparently, and the administrative burden is handled by Joy_.

What's more, you can leave a video, photos, or a shared farewell message on the personalised redemption page. This combines the practical benefit of the voucher with an emotional touch—which is precisely what a workplace leaving gift should stand for.

How Joy_ works: Three simple steps

Step 1: Choose Joy_ and set the voucher amount

You opt for Joy_ and decide what amount makes sense. £50, £75, £100—depending on the occasion and the number of colleagues in the team.

Step 2: Collect contributions

Each colleague contributes their chosen amount if they wish. Transparent, simple, and completely stress-free for whoever is coordinating it.

Step 3: Send the voucher with a personal message

Once the voucher is activated, the recipient can choose any physical product online, from fashion and tech to hobby equipment. Joy_ takes care of the purchase and delivery. Your personal message, video, or photos from everyone are available on the page where the voucher is redeemed.

This model is particularly practical for a colleague's leaving gift because the person retains full control while still feeling that the whole team came together to think of them.

Leaving gifts for female colleagues: Special considerations

The question often arises whether a different approach is needed when choosing a leaving gift for a female colleague. The short answer: the core principles remain the same. It's about respect, acknowledging your time working together, and giving a gift that truly fits.

Whether for a male or female colleague, Joy_ works equally well for everyone because it makes no assumptions. There are no clichés like "typical gifts for women" or "typical gifts for men". Everyone chooses what makes sense for them.

A tip for office leaving gifts: If your colleague doesn't want to make a decision right away—no problem. Joy_ vouchers are valid for 36 months, leaving plenty of time to decide.

Frequently asked questions about leaving gifts for colleagues

How much should you spend on a colleague's leaving gift?

That depends on your relationship and the team. £50 to £100 is a standard range for a group gift. For a long-serving team lead or manager, it might be more. Joy_ is flexible with the total amount.

Can Joy_ also be given as an employee gift from the boss?

Definitely. Joy_ vouchers are popular as thank-you gifts from employers. For personal occasions like a farewell, employers can often offer employee gifts tax-free up to certain allowances. Our HR Guide to Employee Gifts 2026 provides further details on this.

How long does the recipient have to use it?

Joy_ vouchers are valid for 36 months. That is significantly more generous than many standard vouchers.

You can find more tips on this topic in our article on Gift Trends 2026 or, if you're still unsure, in our guide "No Wrong Choices – The Safest Gift Option".

The perfect leaving gift doesn't have to be complicated

In the end, a good leaving gift for a colleague isn't the most expensive or elaborate one. It's the one that makes the recipient feel valued and shows that the whole team put thought into it.

Joy_ delivers precisely that: it's practical (the recipient chooses), it's transparent (when you pool money together), it's thoughtful (with the option to leave a personal message), and it won't cost the earth. For many teams, it is the perfect solution for a colleague's leaving gift.

If you'd like to add personalised gifts alongside it, such as a handwritten memory book or a shared photo collage, this pairs wonderfully with Joy_. The voucher provides the practicality, while the personal touches provide the emotion.

Give Joy_ a try when your next colleague leaves the team. You'll quickly see how much more relaxed gift-giving can be, and how much more joy the recipient gets from deciding for themselves.