What to Buy a Remote Worker for Christmas

Buying gifts for remote workers is a dangerous game. You’re shopping for someone who “works from home” but somehow spends most of their week in a coffee shop, wearing noise-cancelling headphones, drinking £4 flat whites and calling it “the office.”

Sure, you could get them another novelty mug that says “You’re on mute” (great banter) but they’ve probably got six of those already (and one doubles as a pen holder).

So, what do you buy a remote worker for Christmas? Something they’ll actually use. Here’s a list of genuinely useful, occasionally indulgent, but entirely remote-work-approved gift ideas.

Gift Ideas for Remote Workers

1. A Coffee Subscription That Keeps Them Sane

When you’re on your third video call before 10am, good coffee isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. A coffee subscription from a decent roaster (like Contact Coffee Co, Pact, or Volcano Coffee Works) means they’ll always have something strong enough to get through their inbox. We’ve pulled together a list of the best UK coffee subscriptions.

Bonus points if it’s ground for their preferred brew method, remote workers are surprisingly particular about these things.

2. A Proper Laptop Stand

Remote workers spend 90% of their lives hunched over a laptop like they’re guarding national secrets. A solid, adjustable laptop stand can transform their setup (and their posture). Pair it with an external keyboard and mouse, and they’ll wonder how they ever worked without it.

3. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Whether they’re blocking out chatty café customers, traffic noise, or their own family, noise-cancelling headphones are an essential part of remote life. Bose, Sony and Apple all make excellent options, though even the budget brands now do a decent job.

It’s the gift of silence. And focus. And possibly avoiding a nervous breakdown during the next Zoom all-hands.

4. An Ergonomic Chair (or at Least a Cushion That Pretends to Be One)

If they’ve been working from a dining chair since 2020, they’re one lumbar twinge away from a chiropractor. A proper ergonomic chair is the gold standard, but if that’s pushing the budget, an ergonomic seat cushion is a solid upgrade that says, “I care about your spine”, and we do too, that’s why we covered it in our Ergonomics Guide.

5. A “WFH Survival” Gift Box

A little bundle of comfort goes a long way. Think: a decent candle, some posh biscuits, herbal tea (for when the caffeine shakes hit), and maybe even a mini desk plant that won’t die within a week.

You can easily put one together yourself, or pick up a ready-made version from a small business on Etsy.

6. A Portable Charger That Actually Works

The unsung hero of every café-based worker. A reliable, high-capacity power bank means they can claim their spot by the window without doing that awkward dance for a plug socket. It’s practical, unglamorous, and guaranteed to get used daily.

7. An Online Course or Skill Membership

Sounds boring AF, but please, let me explain. Remote workers love self-improvement, mostly because it feels productive while procrastinating. A subscription to something like Skillshare, MasterClass or Coursera gives them a guilt-free excuse to learn something new (or at least watch other people succeed for inspiration).

8. Comfy Clothes That Still Look Like “Workwear”

Working remotely is 50% comfort, 50% pretending to be presentable on camera. A nice hoodie, soft jumper or pair of joggers that look smart enough for a video call will always be appreciated.

It’s basically business-casual, but make it fleece-lined. Take a look at NEXT, M&S, and even Tesco for some nice co-ords.

9. A Gift Card for Their Favourite Coffee Shop

If they spend more time in Costa, Starbucks or their local indie than they do at their desk, a coffee shop gift card is both practical and personal. It fuels their caffeine habit and buys them a few mornings of productivity (and people-watching).

10. A Portable Coffee Maker

For the truly dedicated coffee nomad, a compact brewer like an AeroPress or Wacaco Minipresso means café-quality coffee anywhere, at home, on the road, or hiding from Slack notifications in the park.

Add a bag of good beans, and you’ve basically given them superpowers.