Gift Ideas for a New Job: Frames, Pens & Desk Gifts

A new job means a new desk, new colleagues and a first day to remember. The best new job gifts go to the office with them: a frame for a photo from home, a tray to catch keys and business cards, a fine pen for the first signature, a little luck for the first week. Whether you are congratulating a friend, a son or daughter starting a first job, or someone who just earned a promotion, here are our favorite gift ideas for a new job.

A Picture Frame for the New Desk

A framed photo turns a new office into their own space on day one. Michael Aram frames are handcrafted metal, made in the Michael Aram workshops, with designs drawn from nature. Browse all Michael Aram picture frames, and for sterling and silver-plated frames, read our guide to silver picture frames.

Michael Aram Twig Frame

A handcrafted metal Twig frame in an Oxidized or Gold finish – understated enough for any desk.

Michael Aram Golden Ginkgo Frame

From the Golden Ginkgo designs, a handcrafted metal frame in 5x7 or 8x10. The matching catch-all tray is below.

Michael Aram Love Knot Frame

A handcrafted metal Love Knot frame in Gold or Silver – for the photo of a partner or family on the new desk.

Michael Aram Zen Garden 5x7 Frame

A calm, 5x7 handcrafted metal frame from the Zen Garden collection. For a smaller desk, the Molten Frame comes in 4x6 and 5x7.

A Catch-All Tray for Keys, Clips and Cards

Every desk needs one place for the keys, the badge, the paper clips and the business cards. A handcrafted metal catch-all tray does the job beautifully. See all Michael Aram decorative trays.

Michael Aram Golden Ginkgo Catch All Decorative Tray

Pair it with the Golden Ginkgo frame above for a matched desk set.

Michael Aram Olive Branch Catch All Decorative Tray

An Olive Branch catch-all in handcrafted metal, for the corner of a desk.

Michael Aram Orchid Catch All Decorative Tray

A handcrafted metal orchid tray – lovely for rings, earrings and a watch at the end of the workday.

Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Round Trinket Tray

A round trinket tray from the Butterfly Ginkgo designs, for paper clips and pushpins.

A Fine Pen for the First Signature

The first contract, the first card to a client, the first note on a new notepad: a Caran d'Ache pen is made in Geneva, Switzerland, assembled by hand, and arrives beautifully presented. The pen-and-leather-case sets below are ready to give. To learn about the Varius, Léman and Ecridor collections, read our guide to Caran d'Ache pens.

Caran d'Ache Ecridor Damier Rose Gold Ballpoint Pen & Leather Case Set

Inspired by board games, the hexagonal Ecridor body carries a checkered guilloché, diamond-engraved with jeweler-like precision, in a rose-gold finish. The set includes a one-pen holder in smooth black cowhide embossed with a checkered pattern.

Caran d'Ache Ecridor Paul Smith Gray Silver Ballpoint Pen & Leather Case Set

From Caran d'Ache's collaboration with the British designer Paul Smith: a platinum-finish Ecridor with a 'Shadow Stripes' guilloché and the engraved signatures 'Paul Smith' and 'Write it down', with a matching leather holder.

Caran d'Ache Ecridor Racing Ballpoint Pen & Leather Case Set

A matte black Ecridor engraved with a pattern inspired by radiator grilles, with two red lacquered flashes, in a gift box with a full-grain leather case trimmed in bright red.

Caran d'Ache Léman Caviar Mechanical Pencil

For the planner who thinks in pencil: glossy amber-tinted bronze lacquer over a fine undulating engraving, with silver-plated metal.

Leather for the Briefcase

Caran d'Ache leather accessories are cut and finished to the same standards as its writing instruments. See all Caran d'Ache leather goods.

Caran d'Ache Léman Leather Business Card Holder, Saffron

New job, new business cards. The Léman leather line brings smooth, richly colored leather to everyday accessories; this card holder also comes in White.

Caran d'Ache Léman Leather Notebook A5, Black

An A5 leather notebook for the first meetings, also in Blue Night, Scarlet Red and Turquoise Blue.

Caran d'Ache Leather A4 Folder, Camel

From 'Les Cuirs de la Maison', the leather line Caran d'Ache created with the designer Isaac Reina – a camel leather folder for documents on the way to work.

Caran d'Ache Zipped Leather Pen Case, Camel

A zipped leather case to keep pens together in a bag; it also comes in Night Blue.

More for the Desk

A few more pieces from our desk and office accessories:

Herend Four Leaf Clover Paperweight

A little luck for the first week. Hand-painted porcelain with 24k gold accents, made in Hungary by Herend, and beautifully boxed.

Herend Horseshoe Paperweight

Another lucky charm for a desk: a hand-painted Herend porcelain horseshoe with 24k gold accents, in a Black or Blue fishnet design.

Match Pewter Letter Stand with Pen Rest

Hand-cast and hand-finished pewter from northern Italy, with a rest for that new pen; the pewter develops a soft, warm patina with use.

Jay Strongwater Tara Orchid Clock, Flora

A jeweled desk and shelf clock, hand-enameled and hand-set with crystals – for someone who loves a little sparkle at work.

Matching the Gift to the Person

First job after school: a Caran d'Ache pen-and-case set or a leather card holder – things they will use every day.
A promotion or corner office: a frame and a matching catch-all tray, like the Golden Ginkgo pair.
Working from home: a frame, a letter stand and a paperweight to make the home desk feel like an office.
A colleague moving on: see our ideas for gifts for coworkers, and for a client or team, corporate and client gifts.

Paris Tableware & Gifts, a store in Ridgewood, New Jersey, ships across the continental US, with free shipping on orders over $150.