Purchasing the perfect gift for an office mate doesn't have to be hard. True, just because you spend forty hours a week working with them doesn't always mean you know what to buy them as a gift. However, a little advance planning can make a huge difference.

If you have not waited until the last minute, you are already on the right track. Do not make purchases out of fear. If you do, you'll spend lots more than you planned.

Buying products in large quantities is a terrific way to save money and time. You will have many great gifts for all your co-workers and maybe even some friends.

A gift basket makes a resourceful gift. The gift basket is one of the most personable of all gifts, if you take the time to personalize it from you. You can do this two ways -- by making the basket unique to you or making it specific for them.

It may be hard to buy in bulk a personalized gift for a bunch of different people with different interests. You can however make the basket unique to you. Create a "theme" basket -- something that office mates will look at in their living room and remember you. It will be okay that everyone has the same basket because they will all be talking about the great "theme" basket they got from you with all their friends.

How about a movie theme this year. Your basket will consist of microwave popcorn, candy, a classic DVD, gift coupons to your local rental store. Another idea could be emergency-kits for their cars? Go to your local discount store and buy travel packs of basic first-aid items, a gallon of water, beef jerky, a flash light, and you have emergency kits for your co-worker's car trunks. Get inspired and come up with a theme that is related to your company can also be a great idea.

Personalizing items is a nice way to add that special touch. You can find kiosks that will personalize just about anything. You can buy your perfect gifts for your co-workers -- everything from paper weights to picture frames. Have them engraved with a funny inside office joke, a special affirmation or quote that you like to share, or even just your co-workers names.

Another way to make a enduring impression at the office is through gift clubs. Many well known companies will provide catalogs where you can order three, six, up to twelve month gift clubs. For the plant lover, you can have monthly set of organic bulbs delivered ready to. Even better, you can have them delivered in bloom. The perfect gifts for your co-workers can come once a month. Other choices could be coffees from around the world, beer from the continents, a bottle of wine a month, or even a case of wine a month! Gourmet cheese and crackers are a neat treat as well and can be shipped from anywhere in the world.

Great gift ideas for your co-workers are not such a difficult task, if you start early, and think out of the box.