Stress Ball Variations

• If your coworker tends to go off the deep end when stressed, give her an assortment of de-stressing activities. Put together a small tray of rubber stress balls, funny-shaped squeezable animals, and other work distractions like a miniature etch-a-sketch or even a Zen garden, complete with a small tray of rocks and sand with a tiny rake. Then, the next time she or another coworker in her office is about to blow a gasket, they can instead grab her squeezable cow to calm down and regroup.
  
  

Digital Photo Frame

• Instead of staring at a single picture in a frame for days on end, give your coworker some variety with a digital picture frame. Digital picture frames can hold hundreds of pictures. Remember to preload a few funny shots, including various office staff. This way, along with some of his own favorite shots, a goofy one of you and a coworker making funny faces will pop up every now and then, giving him a brief chuckle during stressful, hair-pulling days.
  
  

Miniature Sports

• If your boss is a sports fan, purchase a sports-related gift that is interactive instead of a picture of his favorite baseball player. Allow your boss an opportunity to take a mental break with a miniature, desk-sized basketball set where he can shoot a few hoops, or a soccer goal and ball for him to flick in goal after goal. Be careful, though, because your boss may have some fun and base the amount of your raise on how many baskets or goals you can make on your previously purchased gift.