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25 Super-Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Social Workers
- 1/26
25 Super-Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Social Workers
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but social workers are so essential. They provide services in hospitals, community organizations, schools, shelters, therapy offices (yep, your therapist might be a social worker), and in so many other places. If you’re someone who regularly sees a social worker for services, you might be wondering if it’s appropriate to say thanks by giving them a gift.
“It's definitely not expected,” explains Karen Balumbu-Bennett, a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles. “Social workers are really taught not to accept gifts.” Basically, gifts put social workers in kind of an awkward situation because they don't want to hurt your feelings, but they also generally don't accept gifts from people they're serving. She notes that as a client, you’re (in some cases) already paying them. Also, giving them a gift can also complicate the working relationship. “This is not a tip-based service. We don't want our clients to feel like they have to give us something extra,” she says.
If you want to redirect that gift-giving impulse, something like a card or small thing that you made yourself could be a nice way to say thank you to your social worker. And if you do ultimately decide to get a gift for them, keep it small and inexpensive.
However, if you’re shopping for a social worker who isn’t working for you (like a friend or relative), ofc you can spoil them. Balumbu-Bennett says “I would say anything self-care. Because helping professionals hardly care for themselves.” We’ve rounded up some of the best self-care goodies plus other fun, useful things that you can give as a gift to your BFF or loved one who’s out there doing good as a social worker.
Courtesy - 2/26
1) Lavender Gift Set
Aromaology
etsy.com
$69.99
One of the self-care gifts Balumbu-Bennett suggests is a candle. This handmade gift set from a small Etsy-based business comes with a lavender soy candle, PLUS a hair and body butter, and an oil that can be used on skin and hair.
Etsy/Aromaology - 3/26
2) Waffle Robe
Parachute Home
parachutehome.com
$129.00
When they're off the clock, it's time to relax. Even if they aren't able to make it to the spa, they can pretend they made it there with this luxe-feeling robe made with lightweight materials.
Parachute - 4/26
3) Shower Steamers
uncommongoods.com
$15.00
If their favorite way to unwind is a long, hot shower, then these shower steamers would be such a nice gift. They come in scents including lavender, rose, and pink grapefruit.
UncommonGoods - 5/26
4) TaskRabbit Gift Card
$25.00
Having someone else come and clean their house (or take care of other life maintenance things) would be so thoughtful. "That would be amazing for someone who's working so hard and pouring into other people maybe feeling flustered at home because everything's a mess," says Balumbu-Bennett.
TaskRabbit - 6/26
5) Face Mask Holder/ Necklace
CanDidArtAccessories
etsy.com
$54.00
If they're working in a school, hospital, or other community setting, odds are they'll need to wear a face mask. This handmade brass mask holder is a pretty way to make sure their mask is always handy. Plus, they can also wear it as a necklace by itself.
Etsy/CanDidArtAccessories - 7/26
6) Notebook
CopperandBrassPaper
etsy.com
$10.00
Balumbu-Bennett also suggests a journal as part of a self-care gift for social workers. Whether journaling is part of their self-care practice or they need a way to keep track of things at work, a pretty notebook is always a good gift. Etsy's Copper and Brass Paper shop has tons of fun notebooks like this one, along with clipboards and other useful goodies.
Etsy/CopperandBrassPaper - 8/26
7) Acrylic Monthly Wall Calendar
Russell + Hazel
amazon.com
$78.00
Help them keep track of all their appointments and schedule with this minimalist undated acrylic calendar. It comes with everything they need to hang it on the wall in their office or at home.
Amazon - 9/26
8) Set of 3 Plants
Bloomscape
bloomscape.com
$69.00
This set of three low-maintenance potted plants is the perfect way to add a little greenery to their office or home. Even if they don't have a green thumb, these plants will adapt to nearly any available light and are extremely forgiving when it comes to less-than-perfect watering schedules.
Bloomscape - 10/26
9) Social Worker Alphabet Art
PencilMePretty
etsy.com
$15.00
This social worker alphabet print would be the perfect addition to their office (or Zoom background).
Etsy/PencilMePretty - 11/26
10) Gourmet Peanut Butter Cups
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$32.00
An assortment of handcrafted Belgian chocolate peanut butter cups? Say less.
UncommonGoods - 12/26
11) Women's Wool Loungers
Allbirds
allbirds.com
$98.00
If she's always on the move or spends most of the day on her feet, then a pair of comfy and stylish slip-on shoes would be such a thoughtful gift. These wool ones are made with sustainable materials AND they're machine-washable in case things get messy.
Allbirds - 13/26
12) UV Cell Phone Sanitizer and Charger
PhoneSoap
amazon.com
$73.95
Social workers come in contact with a lot of people throughout their day, especially if they're working in schools, medical facilities, or other community organizations. More people can equal more germs, so help them stay germ-free with this neat little case to sanitize and charge their phone.
Amazon - 14/26
13) 'Social Workers Are Essential' Shirt
bANCHORED
etsy.com
$21.99
Balumbu-Bennett says that T-shirts or mugs with encouraging messages about social workers would be another great gift idea. This one from bANCHORED on Etsy reminds the recipient just how essential they are.
Etsy/bANCHORED - 15/26
14) 'Because Social Work' Wine Glass
JMCreations18
etsy.com
$10.75
Even if they love what they do, they might need to unwind (or unwine) with a glass of vino after a long day. Good thing you got them the perfect wine glass for it.
Etsy/JMCreations - 16/26
15) Tote Bag
Madewell
madewell.com
$158.00
This roomy leather tote can fit a laptop, planner, notebook, wallet, lip balm and all the other things they need to get through the day. It's made with sustainable leather, comes with a removable shoulder strap, and ideal for life on the go.
Madewell - 17/26
16) Power Banks
Miady
amazon.com
$21.99
If their job involves doing a lot of home visits or running between different job sites, they need something to keep their devices charged when they aren't near an outlet.
Amazon - 18/26
17) 'Be Your Own Sunshine' Travel Mug
Society6
society6.com
$26.39
Help them start every morning on the right foot with this travel mug featuring a beautiful design by artist Oris Eddu.
Society6/Oris Eddu - 19/26
18) Instant Pot Pro
Instant Pot
amazon.com
$129.95
They could probably use something that makes dinner (and/or meal prepping) easy. The Instant Pot is a crock pot, pressure cooker, and rice cooker, and that's just the beginning. There are tons of pre-set programs to make cooking easier than ever, and there's no shortage of Instant Pot recipes out there.
Amazon - 20/26
19) Fitbit Inspire 2
Fitbit
amazon.com
$86.99
If they spend most of the day on their feet (or they like to get in a good workout after they clock out), they'll definitely appreciate a fitness tracker. The Fitbit Inspire 2 tracks their activity level, their heart rate, and their sleep. Plus, it's also waterproof.
Amazon - 21/26
20) Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Kiehl's
kiehls.com
$58.00
Skincare can be self-care, right? This cult-favorite hydrating facial cream gets all the rave reviews. It's lightweight, non-greasy, and leaves skin feeling super soft and glow-y.
Kiehl's - 22/26
21) Bright Fix Eye Brightener Concealer
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
sephora.com
$26.00
Even when they don't get a good night's sleep, they can fake it with a good under-eye concealer. No one will ever know.
Sephora - 23/26
22) Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
Ottoto
glassesusa.com
$66.00
If they spend a lot of their day looking at a computer screen, a pair of blue light glasses to protect their eyes will come in handy.
GlassesUSA - 24/26
23) Water Bottle
YETI
lowes.com
$29.99
If they're running around between job sites, a good water bottle helps them stay hydrated on-the-go.
Lowe's - 25/26
24) Airbnb Gift Card
$50.00
Help them get away from it all and unwind with an Airbnb gift card. Whether they go for a cozy cabin in the woods or a beachfront cottage is up to them.
Amazon - 26/26
25) Essie Nail Color Best Sellers
Essie
ulta.com
$32.00
Everyone loves a good mani. If doing their nails brings them a sense of calm, then they'll love this set with four of Essie's bestselling shades.
Ulta
