Creative DIY ideas for your office squad with Canva

The holidays are right around the corner, and it’s time to start planning those end-of-year celebrations at work. In true Filipino fashion, no Christmas or New Year gathering is complete without the exchange of thoughtful gifts. And when it comes to your workmates—those you spend countless hours with—holiday presents are more than just tradition; they’re a meaningful way to celebrate your bond.

But finding the perfect gift for your officemates can be tricky. Sure, you could grab something off the shelf, but why not take the holidays as a chance to create something truly personalized? With a bit of creativity and Canva’s templates and Magic Studio tools, you can DIY gifts that resonate with your co-workers’ unique personalities and interests.

Here’s a quick guide to personalized gift ideas for every type of officemate:

1. For Your #BookTok-Obsessed Teammate: Personalized Bookmarks

Is your co-worker always glued to the latest trending novel? A customized bookmark is a thoughtful (and practical!) gift.

Pick a favorite quote from their go-to author or use Canva’s Magic Write to come up with a clever line about their love for books. Then, choose a bookmark template, customize the design, and laminate it for durability. Pair it with a book for an extra-special touch!

2. For the Master Planner in the Office: A Desktop Calendar

For the officemate who’s always juggling meetings, deadlines, and vacation plans, a stylish desktop calendar is the way to go.

Start by deciding on the format—whether it’s a one-page year-at-a-glance, a monthly planner, or even a journal-style calendar with room for notes. Canva’s wide range of templates makes designing easy. Personalize it with team photos or motivational quotes, and you’ve got a practical yet creative gift.

3. For the Office Documentarian: A Video Montage of Good Times

We all have that one co-worker who documents every team building session, payday lunch, and company outing. What better gift than a video compilation of your favorite memories together?

Upload your selected clips to Canva Videos and use its drag-and-drop editor to add transitions, animations, and a festive soundtrack. Canva’s intuitive Magic Design tool can even generate a polished video in seconds—just describe your idea and let the platform work its magic.

4. For the Resident Chef: A Recipe Booklet

If you have an officemate who’s always sharing delicious food hacks or treats, a recipe booklet is the perfect way to acknowledge their culinary creativity.

Compile your favorite recipes, format them using Canva’s templates, and print a booklet they’ll treasure. Bonus points if you include a recipe that reminds you of a shared work memory—like the dessert from last year’s Christmas party!

5. For the Office Barkada Who Loves to Collaborate: Canva Pro or Canva Teams

Some co-workers are bursting with creativity and love sharing ideas. Empower their designs with a Canva Pro subscription!

Starting at just PHP 49 per day or PHP 119 per week (now payable via GCash), Canva Pro unlocks advanced tools and premium content that make designing a breeze. For groups, Canva Teams takes it a step further, offering collaboration features perfect for brainstorming campaigns, creating social posts, and streamlining big projects.

No holiday gift is complete without a card! Canva has endless templates for Christmas cards, from classic red-and-green designs to modern White Christmas-inspired layouts. Add a heartfelt message to make your gift truly unforgettable.

This season, skip the generic presents and give your officemates gifts that show how much you value them. With a little help from Canva, you’ll spread cheer while strengthening those workplace connections—because nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a thoughtful, personalized touch.