Ever stood in the middle of a Target aisle staring at a row of scented candles, wondering if "Midnight Jasmine" says "I appreciate your hard work" or "I have no idea who you are"? We've all been there. Offices are strange social ecosystems. You spend 40 hours a week with these people, yet choosing a gift for a desk-mate can feel higher stakes than a first date. Honestly, most corporate gifting is just a cycle of exchanging clutter. But a favorite things list for coworkers actually fixes the guesswork. It’s the difference between giving someone a generic Starbucks card when they only drink loose-leaf oolong and giving them something they’ll actually use.
Let’s be real: people have opinions. Big ones. Some folks think office gift exchanges are a soul-sucking obligation. Others live for the secret Santa reveal. By creating a structured way to track preferences, you aren't just "optimizing workflow"—you're stopping the inevitable pile of discarded mugs in the breakroom.
Why a Favorite Things List for Coworkers is Actually Essential
Company culture isn't about ping-pong tables or "free beer Fridays." It's about feeling seen. When someone remembers you hate cilantro or that you’re obsessed with 90s nostalgia, it hits different. A favorite things list for coworkers acts as a social cheat sheet. It’s a repository of tiny data points that make professional life more human.
Think about the "New Hire" experience. You walk into a building where everyone has years of inside jokes. You're the outsider. If the HR manager hands you a quick survey—nothing too intense, just a "hey, what's your go-to snack?"—it lowers the barrier. It tells the new person that their individual quirks matter here. Psychologically, this taps into what Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson calls "psychological safety." When we know our teammates' preferences, we're less likely to commit social gaffes that create friction.
But there’s a trap. If you make the list too long, it feels like a deposition. If it's too short, it's useless. You need the "Goldilocks" zone of personal info. You want to know if they prefer salty over sweet, sure. But maybe also find out if they have a dog. People love talking about their dogs. It’s a universal icebreaker that requires zero effort.
The Questions That Actually Matter (And the Ones to Skip)
Most of these lists are boring. "What is your favorite color?" Who cares? Unless you’re buying them a mood ring, that info is dead weight. You want actionable intel.
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Start with the caffeine. This is the lifeblood of the modern economy. Does Jane from accounting want a double-shot espresso or a matcha latte? If you’re grabbing a coffee run, this is the most valuable piece of data you can own. Next, think about the "desk vibe." Some people want a minimalist sanctuary. Others have so many Funko Pops you can barely see their monitor. Ask about their favorite way to decompress. Do they listen to podcasts? Are they into true crime or lo-fi beats?
- The Morning Fuel: Coffee, tea, sparkling water, or just pure chaos?
- Snack Alignment: Are we talking spicy chips or organic almonds?
- The "Treat Yourself" Factor: If they had a $10 gift card, where would they spend it?
- Hobby Adjacent: What do they do when the laptop closes? (Keep this optional—some people are private).
Avoid asking for anything too personal. No one needs to know their home address on a shared Google Doc. Keep it focused on things that can be celebrated within the four walls of the office (or the confines of a Zoom window). Also, avoid "Favorite Alcoholic Drink." It’s 2026; plenty of people are sober or just don’t want to discuss their tequila preferences with their boss. Keep it inclusive.
Digital vs. Analog: Where to Host Your List
Where you put this list matters as much as what's on it. I’ve seen teams use a physical "shrine" in the breakroom. It’s cute, but it’s hard to update and 100% not searchable. In a hybrid world, digital is king.
A simple Google Sheet or Notion Database usually does the trick. You can set it up with columns for "Name," "Birthday (Month/Day only—no years!)," and "Favorite Snacks." The beauty of Notion is the "Gallery View." You can have a little card for each teammate with their photo and a quick blurb. It makes the team feel like a collection of humans rather than just rows of data.
If your company uses Slack, there are apps like Donut or BirthdayBot that can automate some of this. But honestly? Those feel a bit "corporate bot." A hand-crafted list feels more sincere. It shows someone actually took the time to set it up. Just make sure the permissions are set correctly. You don’t want the whole internet knowing that Steve in IT is obsessed with artisanal pickles.
Dealing with the "Grumpy" Coworker
We all have one. The person who thinks a favorite things list for coworkers is "performative" or "forced fun." Don't force them.
Participation should always be voluntary. The moment you make it mandatory, it becomes a chore. It loses its magic. If someone wants to remain a mystery, let them. Usually, once they see everyone else getting their favorite snacks on their birthday while they get a generic "Happy Birthday" Slack message, they’ll come around. Or they won't. And that's fine too. Diversity of thought includes people who hate office surveys.
Real World Example: The "Emergency Kit" Strategy
One tech startup in Austin uses their list to create "Emergency Joy Kits." When a project hits a major snag or a deadline gets pushed, the team leads check the list. They don't just buy pizza (the ultimate "we don't know you" food). They send specific items. If a developer is stressed and their list says they love "extra-sour gummy worms," a bag of those shows up on their desk.
It sounds small. It is small. But in the middle of a high-pressure launch, that tiny bit of recognition acts as a massive morale booster. It proves the leadership is actually paying attention.
Implementation Steps for Team Leaders
If you’re the one spearheading this, don't just blast an email. It’ll get buried. Mention it in a stand-up. Explain the "why." Say: "Hey, I want to make sure we’re actually celebrating each other with stuff we like, so I’m putting together a quick sheet."
Step 1: Design the Template
Keep it to 5-7 questions max.
- Favorite hot drink?
- Favorite cold drink?
- Salty or sweet snacks?
- A hobby you're currently into?
- Any allergies or "hard hates" (e.g., "I loathe the smell of lavender")?
- Favorite local shop or restaurant?
Step 2: The Soft Launch
Fill yours out first. Be a bit vulnerable or funny. If you put "I am obsessed with 1980s slasher films," it gives others permission to be themselves. If you just put "I like productivity," you’re setting a boring tone.
Step 3: Use the Data
This is the most important part. If you collect the info and never use it, you’ve wasted everyone’s time. Use it for:
- Work anniversaries.
- Small wins (closing a deal, fixing a bug).
- "Just because" days when the vibes are low.
- Holiday gift exchanges.
Navigating Budget and Fairness
Gifting can get weird when one person spends $50 and another spends $5. The list helps mitigate this because it focuses on preferences rather than price tags. If you know someone loves a specific $3 candy bar, that's often more meaningful than a $25 generic gift basket.
If you're doing a formal exchange, set a hard cap. $20 is usually the sweet spot. It's enough to get something decent but not so much that people feel pressured. The list ensures that the $20 is spent on something the person actually wants.
Beyond the List: Cultural Nuances
Remember that "favorite things" vary wildly across cultures. In some cultures, asking for a "favorite" thing might feel like you're putting someone on the spot. If you have an international team, frame the questions as "Things I Enjoy" rather than "My Absolute Favorites." It takes the pressure off.
Also, be mindful of food restrictions. A favorite things list for coworkers is a great way to discreetly track who is vegan, gluten-free, or keeps Kosher/Halal without making a big deal out of it in front of the whole group. It’s an inclusion tool disguised as a fun survey.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your current "culture" tools. Are you currently guessing what your team likes? If yes, you're likely wasting money on gifts that end up in the trash.
- Draft your 5-question survey today. Use a platform like Typeform or a simple shared Doc. Keep it light.
- Set a "Update" reminder. People change. Someone who loved keto last year might be all about sourdough this year. Ask everyone to refresh their answers once a year, maybe every January.
- Lead by example. Fill out your own profile with specific, quirky details that make you human to your reports.
Building a favorite things list for coworkers isn't about being "best friends." It’s about building a professional environment where people are treated as individuals. When you stop guessing and start asking, everyone wins. Plus, you’ll never have to buy another "World's Best Boss" mug again. Unless, of course, that’s actually on someone’s list.