When someone you've worked with is leaving, choosing the right gift can be surprisingly difficult.
Perhaps he's moving to a new company, heading off travelling, retiring after years with the team or simply moving on to something completely different.
Then there's the other question: how well do you actually know him?
Buying for a close colleague you've worked alongside for ten years is very different from contributing to a leaving gift for someone you occasionally chat to in the kitchen.
The best leaving gifts for male colleagues don't have to be expensive or overly personal. They simply need to feel considered.
So before ordering another novelty mug, think about why he's leaving, what he enjoys and what he'll genuinely use next.
Here are some ideas to help.
If He's Leaving for a New Job
A new job is one of the most common reasons for saying goodbye to a colleague, and it gives you plenty of useful gift options.
Rather than something specifically reminding him of his old workplace, you could choose something he'll use as he starts the next chapter.
That might be:
- A quality notebook and pen
- A new work bag
- Travel mug
- Portable charger
- Wallet
- Smart work accessory
- Something useful for his commute
The Kingsley & Harper Commuter Travel Set is particularly suited to someone moving on to a new role. It brings together an Aston Ratchet Belt, Hanborough Wallet, multifunctional keyring and foldable raincoat in one gift box – practical accessories designed around work, commuting and travel.
If he's specifically leaving to start somewhere new, our guide to New Job Gifts for Men has more ideas for celebrating his next role.
If He's the Colleague Who Loves His Car
Sometimes the easiest way to choose a leaving gift is to forget about work altogether.
Think about what he talks about when he's not talking about work.
If everyone in the office knows how much he loves his car, for example, a gift connected to that interest is likely to feel far more personal than a generic leaving present.
A driving experience, tickets to a motoring event or something useful for looking after his car could all work.
The Kingsley & Harper Detailer Car Cleaning Set is a complete car-care set containing equipment for washing, drying and detailing a car at home, making it an option for someone who genuinely enjoys looking after his vehicle.
If you need more inspiration for a car enthusiast, you can also browse our gift ideas for car lovers.
If He's Leaving to Go Travelling
This one's relatively easy.
If he's handed in his notice because he's about to spend six months travelling, a leaving gift connected to the trip makes far more sense than something for his desk.
Think about useful travel essentials such as:
- Luggage organisers
- Portable charger
- Travel plug
- Luggage tags
- Travel wallet
- Compact day bag
- Something to document the trip
You could also contribute towards an experience at his destination rather than giving him something else to pack.
For a more substantial group gift, the Kingsley & Harper Globetrotter Travel Set brings together practical travel accessories in one gift set designed for frequent travellers and life on the move.
Our guide to Travel Essentials Every Frequent Traveller Will Actually Use has more practical ideas if he's swapping the office for an adventure.
If He's the Sociable One
Every workplace seems to have someone who's responsible for getting everyone together.
Perhaps he's the person organising the summer barbecue, suggesting Friday drinks or somehow producing everything required for a picnic or day out.
In that case, choose something that reflects that side of him.
It could be a restaurant voucher, portable speaker, outdoor game, picnic equipment or something for entertaining at home.
The Kingsley & Harper Socialite Picnic Set is designed around outdoor gatherings, beach days and summer get-togethers, with practical pieces for food, drinks and music.
It's a much more personal approach than simply buying a generic workplace gift because you're choosing something connected to the person everyone actually knows.
If He's Retiring
A retirement leaving gift is slightly different.
He's not necessarily preparing for another workplace, so there's little point buying something for his commute or office.
Instead, think about what he's looking forward to doing with his time.
That might mean:
- Gardening
- Golf
- Travelling
- Cooking
- Days out
- Fishing
- Cycling
- Looking after his car
- Spending more time outdoors
An experience can be particularly good here. The team could contribute towards a weekend away, restaurant voucher, golf day, driving experience or something connected to a hobby.
If you've worked together for a long time, you might combine that with something personal from the team – a photo book, framed picture or collection of messages from colleagues.
The best retirement gift should celebrate what comes next, rather than simply marking the end of work.
If You Don't Know Him That Well
This is where leaving gifts can become awkward.
You want to contribute something thoughtful, but you don't know enough about him to buy something particularly personal.
In that situation, keep it simple.
Good options include:
- Food or chocolates
- Coffee
- Gift voucher
- Travel mug
- Reusable bottle
- Wallet or other useful accessory
- Restaurant voucher
- Contribution towards a team gift
Practical gifts tend to be safer than highly personal ones when you don't know someone's tastes particularly well.
Kingsley & Harper's men's accessories collection includes wallets, belts, travel accessories, tech and other everyday essentials if you'd prefer to choose one useful item rather than a complete gift set.
If You've Worked Together for Years
At the other end of the scale, perhaps this isn't simply someone from the office.
You've sat next to each other for years. You've survived deadlines, difficult meetings, office Christmas parties and probably know far more about each other's lives than either of you intended.
That's when something personal can be much more appropriate.
You could create:
- A photo book of team memories
- Framed photograph
- Personalised illustration
- Collection of messages from colleagues
- Something connected to an office joke
- Gift relating to a hobby you know he loves
- Experience you can all enjoy together
Just be careful with the office jokes.
Something hilarious to six people who were there at the time can look slightly bewildering engraved onto a leaving present ten years later.
If the Whole Office Is Contributing
A group collection opens up considerably more options.
Rather than everyone buying a small individual gift, pooling the money means you can choose something more substantial that he might genuinely appreciate.
The first thing to do is find out whether anyone knows what he'd actually like.
If he's mentioned wanting something for a hobby, planning a trip or needing something for his new role, that's far better information than any generic gift guide can give you.
Depending on the amount collected, you could consider:
- An experience
- Restaurant voucher
- Tickets to an event
- Quality work or travel accessory
- Hobby-related equipment
- Weekend-away contribution
- Premium gift set
You can still accompany the main gift with a card signed by everyone so there's something personal from the whole team.
Match the Gift to the Man
If you're still struggling, forget about finding the definitive best leaving gift for a male colleague and think about what kind of person you're buying for.
The commuter
Something useful for work or his daily journey.
The traveller
Travel accessories or something for his next trip.
The car enthusiast
Car-care equipment or a motoring experience.
The outdoors type
Something for picnics, walking, camping or days outside.
The foodie
A restaurant, food experience or selection of something he enjoys.
The man who already has everything
An experience or upgrade to something he already uses.
Explore the Kingsley & Harper gift sets for men, with collections designed around commuting, travel, car care and outdoor living.
And if you're buying for someone who is particularly difficult to shop for, our guide to the Best Gifts for Men Who Have Everything has plenty more ideas beyond workplace gifts.
How Much Should You Spend on a Colleague's Leaving Gift?
There isn't a correct amount.
How much you spend will depend on how well you know the person, your workplace culture and whether you're buying individually or contributing as a team.
If it's a casual colleague, a card and small contribution towards the group present may be completely appropriate.
For someone you've worked closely with for years, you may personally want to spend more or organise something meaningful.
And if the whole office is contributing, the combined budget may allow you to choose a more substantial gift or experience.
The important thing is that nobody should feel pressured into contributing more than they're comfortable with.
A Good Leaving Gift Should Feel Like Him
The best leaving gifts for male colleagues aren't necessarily the funniest, most expensive or most unusual.
They're the ones that make you think:
“That's very him.”
Perhaps it's something for the car he's forever talking about. Something for the trip he's been planning. Something useful for the new job. Or an experience connected to what he loves doing outside work.
Even a simple gift can feel thoughtful when it's been chosen for the person rather than simply because he's the man who's leaving the office on Friday.
And if you're still unsure, browse the Kingsley & Harper range of men's accessories and gift sets for practical ideas designed around work, travel, cars and leisure.
