Gifts for female coworkers: pretty, small and safe to give at work, from Rs 249Gifts for female coworkers: pretty, small and safe to give at work, from Rs 249

Pretty is fine, romantic is not

Buying for a woman you work with, the risk is not that she will dislike the gift. It is that it says more than you meant. Flowers in a bouquet, perfume, jewellery and anything heart-shaped can all read as personal, especially from a male colleague. A pretty object for her home sits safely on the friendly side of the line.

Raajkosh makes flower-shaped candles by hand in pure soy wax in Jalandhar, and the floral ones carry no romantic message:

• Blossom Candle, Rs 299: a round ivory candle wrapped in pink and yellow wax blossoms, with a scalloped top. Small and happy.
• Daisy Tealights, Rs 449 for 10, in mint and ivory or purple and ivory. Works as a set, or split between two colleagues.
• Floral Candle Duo, Rs 649: two peony candles, one deep rose pink and one ivory with pink-tipped petals. For a closer colleague or a bigger thank-you.

Who is giving changes the right gift

From a woman colleague: you have more room. The Floral Candle Duo or a Heart Bubble Candle at Rs 249 (soft wax spheres dotted with tiny red hearts) are fine between women who are friends.

From a male colleague: stay with flowers that are clearly decor, like the Blossom Candle or the Daisy Tealights, and add a note that says why. Skip the heart bubble, the teddy candles and anything red and romantic.

From the team: pool for the Floral Candle Duo or the Marble Seashell Candles at Rs 999 for two marbled conch vessels, and have everyone sign the card.

By occasion

For the last one, add the Rs 79 shipping or add one more piece to cross Rs 999 and ship free. For Women's Day gifting from a company, see our separate page on Women's Day gifts for employees.

A word on the card

What makes a coworker gift feel right is the reason written on it. "For the new flat", "Thank you for the quarter-end", "Happy birthday from the whole row". A reason tells her, and anyone watching her open it, exactly what the gift means. If you are a man giving alone, sign it from the team or mention the occasion plainly; it removes any doubt. Keep it to one or two lines in your own words.

When a candle is not the right gift for her

Some women do not keep candles: those with small children who climb, those who live in a hostel or PG that bans flames, or those with asthma who avoid any smoke. If you do not know, give something else. Good alternatives for a female coworker: a nice planner or pen, a desk plant, a box of good tea, chocolates, a hand cream from a brand she uses, or a book. Beauty and gifting websites stock those well. Choose a candle when you know she likes decor and you want the gift to stay on her shelf.

If she loves scent, our Vanilla Reverie at Rs 549 is the only scented candle we make, a soft vanilla in an amber jar. For a wider choice of scents, a dedicated scented-candle brand will have more options than we do.

Sending it to her, or handing it over at work

Add gift packaging and a gift note on the product page. Orders dispatch in 24 to 48 hours and arrive 2 to 7 days later across India; check the estimate for her pincode, or have it sent to you and hand it over at work. Free shipping from Rs 999, Rs 79 below. Prepaid only, no cash on delivery. Damage reported within 24 hours of delivery is replaced or refunded.

A safety line for the card: trim the wick to about 5 mm, keep each burn to 3 to 4 hours, and never leave it unattended.