Working remotely used to be the dream. Now it’s just… Tuesday. Your team logs in from the kitchen, the guest room, or a precarious laptop stand made of shoeboxes and ambition. The office might be gone, but your people are still clocking in, crushing tasks, and keeping the lights on. So, how do you say “thanks” in a way that doesn’t involve mailing out branded stress balls?
Here’s a fresh take: digital gifts.
They’re eco-friendly, easy to send, instantly usable, and — bonus! — they won’t end up forgotten in a desk drawer. From clever smart tools to actually enjoyable subscriptions, here are the best gifts for remote colleagues in 2025 that’ll make you the king (or queen) of thoughtful appreciation.
12 Remote Teams Presents You Should Consider
So, what eco-friendly gifts can you get your coworkers to make them understand how much you value their effort (and, perhaps, even their friendship)?
1. Gift Stories That Actually Mean Something
Forget generic swag — Gift Stories from ForestNation are a meaningful way to show your team you care. Each one plants trees in their name and shares the story behind it, creating a ripple effect of impact. Your coworker doesn’t just get a thank-you — they get a living forest, a feel-good email, and a reminder that their work matters.
It’s simple, thoughtful, and 100% clutter-free. Plus, they can watch their trees grow online. Beats another coffee mug, right?
2. Plant Trees (Yes, Really)
Looking for a gift that’s green in every way? Plant trees on behalf of your team members. It’s sustainable, symbolic, and way more interesting than a branded hoodie. ForestNation lets you plant trees tied to personalized messages, making the gesture both planet-friendly and personal.
It’s perfect for remote teams who care about the environment — or at least like the idea of giving back while sitting in sweatpants.
3. Subscriptions That Entertain
Who doesn’t need a little streaming therapy after a long day of juggling tabs and Zoom fatigue? A few months of Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu is a win for anyone who needs to unwind with dragons, dating shows, or dystopian sci-fi.
Want to go beyond the obvious? Try CuriosityStream for the docu-geek, or MasterClass for the coworker who is thinking of becoming the next Gordon Ramsay. These digital gifts show you care about their after hours, not just their calendar availability.
4. Online Learning Platforms
Give the gift of “I totally meant to learn that!” with a subscription to Skillshare, Coursera, or LinkedIn Learning. Whether it’s project management, photography, or finally figuring out Excel’s VLOOKUP, these platforms let your team learn at their own pace.
These aren’t just useful gifts — they’re a way of saying: “Hey, I believe in your big brain.”
5. Digital Wellness Tools
Working from home sometimes turns into living at work. Help your team put up healthy boundaries and find their inner zen with wellness apps like Calm, Headspace, or Balance.
You could also throw in a virtual fitness subscription. Think yoga, strength training, or dance workouts they can do between Slack pings. These are work from home gifts that actually encourage turning off the work brain once in a while.
6. Creative Tools for the Content-Curious
Even if they’re not editing YouTube videos in their spare time, many remote workers find themselves needing to whip up a presentation video, a how-to reel, or that one very important client intro.
Beginner-friendly tools like Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, Movavi Screen Recorder for capturing screen and webcam footage, or InShot for mobile video make it easy to create polished content without diving into complex workflows. These tools help people look like pros — even if they’re still wearing pajama pants on the bottom half
7. Fun Tech
Some tech gadgets don’t need batteries — or extra plastic. Give your team the gift of less noise and more clarity with apps like Krisp (which magically erases barking dogs from calls), or digital whiteboard tools like Miro and MURAL for better brainstorming sessions.
No shipping, no styrofoam, no weird cords. Just smarter workdays wrapped in a digital bow.
8. Experience Something Together (Virtually, Of Course)
If you’ve ever tried to bond during a choppy Zoom trivia night, you know virtual experiences are a mixed bag. But the good ones? Genuinely memorable.
Look into group tea tastings, escape rooms, or online cooking classes. These gifts for colleagues aren’t just fun — they’re team-building without the awkward icebreakers. And since everything happens online, they’re perfectly eco-friendly and timezone-flexible.
9. Digital Planners & Productivity Lifesavers
For the spreadsheet samurai and digital journaling junkie, premium access to Notion, Evernote, or Todoist is like gifting organization on a silver platter. These apps help bring order to chaos — and for the overwhelmed multitasker on your team, that’s pure gold.
They’re not flashy, but these affordable gifts say: “I see your to-do list and I respect the hustle.”
10. Remote Essentials You’d Actually Want
You know what doesn’t get enough love? The boring-but-essential stuff. VPNs, password managers like Dashlane or 1Password, and extra cloud storage (because let’s face it, we’ve all hit the Google Drive wall mid-project).
These tools may not sparkle, but they’re ridiculously practical work from home ideas that make daily tasks smoother and safer.
11. A Sprinkle of Fun in Slack and Zoom
We all live in Slack now. Why not spice it up?
Consider upgrades like custom emoji packs, premium Zoom backgrounds, or fun automation bots that drop random team trivia during Friday check-ins. It’s quirky, it’s creative, and it makes the daily grind a little more human.
It’s also a chance to say “you matter” in the universal language of GIFs and inside jokes.
12.Custom Digital Art or Avatars
Want to give your team something personal that doesn’t take up physical space? Commission custom digital portraits or avatars. Whether it’s a stylized cartoon version of their Slack profile or a custom Zoom background that features their pet in space (yes, that’s a thing), this kind of digital gift is quirky, fun, and uniquely theirs.
It’s a great way to celebrate individuality on a remote team — and let’s face it, it beats another branded polo shirt.
Wrapping Up
The best gifts for remote colleagues aren’t just things — they’re tools, experiences, and gestures that say, “I see you.” In 2025, your team doesn’t need more stuff. They need things that simplify, energize, and make the work-from-home life a little lighter.
So ditch the branded pen sets and lean into digital gifts that are thoughtful, eco-friendly, and (dare we say) actually cool. You’ll boost morale, support their growth, and maybe even earn yourself a shoutout in the team chat.
