Example list
Priya's farewell
- Quality leather notebook, engraved Gifted
- Noise-cancelling headphones$150
- Framed team photo Gifted
- Luggage tags and passport holder$40
- Restaurant voucher in her new city$75
How to organize a leaving gift
Good farewell gifts are personal, portable and useful in whatever comes next. Someone moving abroad doesn't want anything bulky, somebody retiring might love a gift for a hobby they finally have time for, and someone moving to a rival probably won't want a company-branded anything. A few minutes thinking about where they're going will point you in the right direction.
The usual problem is the collection. An envelope goes around, half the team is out, and you never really know what you've got. A shared list makes this easier. Create a list for the farewell, add one or two gift options, and share the link with the team. Any colleague other than the person who created the list can start a group gift on the item, and others add what they'd like to pledge. Everyone can see how close you are to the target, while the money itself is settled outside the app, by bank transfer or cash.
Keep it optional. Nobody should feel pressured to contribute, and it's best not to publish who gave what. Mentioning a suggested amount rather than a fixed one keeps it comfortable for both junior and senior staff.
Keep it a surprise by setting the list to link-only and sharing it privately, so it doesn't appear in search results. Don't post it anywhere the person leaving might see, such as the main team channel.
Run it in 3 steps
- 1
Pick a gift or two
Start a link-only list and add your ideas. Ask a close colleague for a sanity check.
- 2
Share it privately
Send the link to everyone except the person leaving. Skip the main team channel.
- 3
Collect the pledges
A colleague starts a group gift on the item. Others pledge, then you settle up outside the app.
Farewell gift ideas
Match the gift to where they're heading next. Personalizing even a simple gift takes it up a level.
Small gifts from one person
When you want to give something yourself, on top of a group gift.
- Good pen or notebook
- A handwritten note and their favorite coffee
- Desk plant
- Book you both talked about
- Local treats for their journey
Group gifts from the team
Pool together for something they'd remember.
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Quality laptop bag or backpack
- Smart watch or tablet
- Weekend experience voucher
- Personalized leather goods
Sentimental keepsakes
These often mean the most once the desk is cleared.
- Framed team photo with signatures
- Book of messages from colleagues
- Video montage from the team
- Engraved pen or paperweight
- A map marked with the team's locations
For someone moving abroad
Expat moves are common in Dubai and beyond, and packing space is limited.
- Luggage tags and passport holder
- Packing cubes and a travel adapter
- A city guide or voucher for the new city
- Something small from the city they're leaving
- Digital gift card they can spend anywhere
For a retiring colleague
Lean into what they'll finally have time for.
- Gear for a favorite hobby
- Garden or golf vouchers
- Book of memories from their career
- Luxury weekend away
- Cooking or painting class
For a new job
Set them up well for what's next.
- Smart notebook or planner
- Quality water bottle or tumbler
- Comfortable work tote
- Business card holder
- Good desk lamp
Making the send-off go smoothly
Start as soon as you hear
Notice periods go fast, and people go on leave. Having a week or two makes collecting and ordering much easier.
Check with someone who knows them
A close colleague will know whether they'd prefer a voucher, or if they've already got those headphones.
Keep amounts private
A suggested contribution is fine, but don't announce who gave what. Tell people it's completely optional.
Include remote colleagues
Digital cards and shared message books mean everyone can take part, wherever they are.
Have a card ready
A card or message book signed by the team often means more than the gift. Allow time for everybody to write something.
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure? These are the questions we hear most.
How much should you give for a coworker's farewell gift?
There's no fixed amount. Contributions are usually modest and always optional. Suggest a small range, let people choose what they're comfortable with, and keep individual amounts private.
What's a good farewell gift for a colleague?
Something personal, portable and useful for what comes next: a quality notebook, headphones, a good bag, a framed team photo, or a book of messages from the team.
How do you collect money for a leaving gift?
Share a private list with the team and let a colleague start a group gift on the item. People pledge an amount, and GishFy tracks the total. You collect the money itself outside the app, by bank transfer or in cash.
How do I keep it secret from the person leaving?
Set the list to link-only, and share it directly with colleagues rather than posting it in a channel they're in. Link-only lists don't appear in search results.
Does everyone need an account?
Colleagues can view the list with just the link. To start or join a group gift, or mark an item as gifted, they need a free GishFy account.
Give them a proper send-off
Set up the list in a couple of minutes, and stop chasing people down the hallway.