Farewell gift for a colleague: group gift, card and wellness ideas
A colleague is changing jobs, going on parental leave or moving to another city – and suddenly the question arises: what shall we give her as a farewell? A good farewell gift for a colleague says thank you for the time together and accompanies her into the new chapter of her life. In this guide you'll learn how to organise a group gift without fuss, what budget per person is usual, what belongs in the card and which wellness gifts suit a job change or parental leave.
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First clarify: why is your colleague leaving?
The occasion determines which farewell gift for your colleague is right, and it sets the tone. With a job change, it can be cheerful and forward-looking: lots of success, new challenges, finally time to breathe between two jobs. With parental leave, the focus is more on the family time ahead, and a gift for the mum-to-be is often more welcome here than something for the office. With a move, anything that is a reminder of the old team fits. And if the departure was not voluntary, tact is needed: then choose a neutral, appreciative gift without jokes about a "fresh start".
Organising the group gift: how it goes smoothly
A farewell gift for a colleague usually comes from the whole team. A clear sequence helps it work without chaos:
- One person takes charge: someone collects the money, buys the gift and organises the card. That saves rounds of coordination.
- Ask discreetly: of course, the collection runs without your colleague noticing anything. An envelope or a list passed from hand to hand works just as well as a payment app.
- Suggest a voluntary amount: propose a guideline, but make it clear that everyone can give what they want. Nobody should feel under pressure.
- Set a deadline: allow a week and plan a few days' buffer for delivery.
- Hand over the gift and card together: ideally at the leaving do, in the last team meeting or on the last working day.
What budget per person is usual?
There is no fixed rule. In many teams, €5 to €10 per person is collected, or more if you worked closely together. What matters is the total in the envelope at the end. The table shows which gift suits which team size.
| Team size × contribution | Approx. budget | Suitable wellness gift |
|---|---|---|
| 9 × €10 or 18 × €5 | €90 | Feierabend-Ritual (€86.99) |
| 12 × €10 | €120 | Deine Sauna-Routine (€110) + gift box (€6.50) |
| 15 × €10 or 20 × €7.50 | €150 | Mein ganzer Wellnesstag (€140) + gift box (€6.50) |
If less is collected, that's no problem: a lovely card with lots of personal lines and a small token often feel just as heartfelt.
Farewell gift for a colleague: three wellness ideas
A farewell is a transition, and in many cases there is a little free time between the old and the new job. A farewell gift for your colleague from the world of wellness fits well: it invites her to take a breather before moving on. All our sets contain the Trimita Barok bathrobe made of 100 % Turkish cotton (S/M or L/XL) and a Barok hammam towel measuring 180 × 100 cm in the same colour. You choose the colour, size and shower gel scent when ordering.
Feierabend-Ritual – the easy introduction
The Feierabend-Ritual for €86.99 contains the bathrobe, hammam towel and a VEGAN FOX shower gel (200 ml) in linden blossom, grapefruit or red grape. Compared with buying the items individually, you save €3.90. A good choice for smaller teams and for colleagues who like going to the sauna or taking time out at home.
Deine Sauna-Routine – with facial care
The Deine Sauna-Routine set for €110 adds the VEGAN FOX cleansing foam for normal skin (200 ml) and the face cream with almond and avocado oil (50 ml) to the Feierabend-Ritual. According to the shop, you save €14.69 compared with buying the items individually. Suits colleagues who like skincare.
Mein ganzer Wellnesstag – the big team gift
For large teams or long-standing colleagues there is Mein ganzer Wellnesstag for €140. In addition to the contents of the Sauna-Routine, it includes a facial peel with 2.5 % lactic acid (50 ml) and the Nourishing hand cream with shea butter and macadamia (120 ml). Saving compared with buying individually: €12.49.
You'll find a detailed comparison of the three sets in our guide to sauna gift sets.
Nicely packaged: the gift box
If you put together the farewell gift for a colleague yourself from smaller items, such as a hammam towel plus skincare, you can add the gift box Eukalyptus Grün for €6.50. At 32 × 23 × 9 cm it has room for a folded hammam towel and one or two skincare products. After unwrapping, it remains a lovely storage box, for example for the farewell card and souvenir photos.
Farewell into parental leave: what fits?
If your colleague is going on parental leave, the focus shifts. A farewell gift for colleagues going on parental leave can already think ahead to the time with the baby. A bathrobe is a good gift here too, because it is worn a lot at home in the first weeks. Skincare and small moments of time out also go down well. With sauna vouchers: long validity, because she will clarify with her midwife or doctor when a sauna visit after the birth is suitable again. You'll find more ideas especially for new mothers in our guide to birth gifts for the mum.
The card: what belongs in it
With a farewell gift for colleagues, the card is often more important than the gift itself. Many people keep it for years. To make it a success:
- Choose a large format: an A4 folding card or a small album so that everyone has room.
- Personal rather than clichés: a specific memory ("Thank you for your help with the project in spring") is more powerful than "All the best".
- Wish her well for the future: success in the new job, a lovely family time, a good start in the new city.
- Pass it round in good time: allow a week so that part-timers and colleagues on holiday can sign too.
- Link to the gift: a line like "For your first week off – treat yourself to a sauna day" connects the card and the gift.
What doesn't really fit
Gifts with the company logo, jokes about the old boss or allusions to reasons for leaving have no place in a farewell gift for a colleague. Very personal items such as perfume or clothing in a specific size are also risky if you don't know her taste well. With bathrobes, the choice between S/M and L/XL helps: if in doubt, take the larger size.
Related reading: Sauna gift sets compared: which set suits whom? · Wellness gifts under 30 euros: ideas that actually get used · Birth gift for the mum: ideas that really do her good
Conclusion
A successful farewell gift for a colleague comes from good organisation and a personal touch. One person collects discreetly, suggests a voluntary guideline and sets a deadline. The team budget determines the right gift: at around €90 the Feierabend-Ritual fits, at €120 to €150 one of the larger wellness sets. The card with personal memories completes the gift. That way the farewell is remembered as a warm moment, whether she is heading for a new job, parental leave or a new city.
Frequently asked questions
How much does each person give for a farewell gift?
In many teams, €5 to €10 per person is usual. What matters is that taking part remains voluntary and nobody is pushed into a particular amount.
What do you give a colleague as a farewell?
Something personal that suits the new chapter: a wellness set for the free time between two jobs, skincare, a bathrobe for parental leave or a memory album from the team. Always with a card with personal words.
Do I have to contribute to the group gift?
No, taking part is voluntary. Anyone who doesn't contribute can still write in the card. A friendly greeting counts.
When do you hand over the farewell gift?
On the last working day, at the leaving do or in the last team meeting. For parental leave, better a few days earlier in case the last day is cancelled at short notice.
What do you give a colleague who is going on parental leave?
Something for the mum, not just for the baby: a light bathrobe, skincare or a voucher with long validity. A wellness set is a lovely way to accompany the family time ahead.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.