Christmas Gift Guide for the Office
Choosing gifts for coworkers, clients and bosses can be very stressful. You might not know what to look for, how much to spend, or which gifts are appropriate. A gift that offends or insults the recipient will make your work life uncomfortable. Follow these simple guidelines and you’ll be sure to avoid gift giving hazards in the work place.
The Rules of Corporate Giving:
Most companies have a spending limit when it comes to gift exchanges or corporate giving. While you shouldn’t buy your gifts at the Dollar Store, you also shouldn’t far exceed the limit. Unless the business associate is a personal friend, gifts that are too expensive may cause discomfort, while a gift that seems cheap may be taken offensively. Stay within mid-range of the limit. If your company doesn’t specify a limit, get together with coworkers and establish your own. This will alleviate some problems in the future.
As a side note, be especially careful about giving overtly expensive gifts to your supervisors, managers or bosses. It may be looked at as bribery for a promotion or raise. If that is your intention, chances are it won’t work. Those above you in the company already know your income and what you can afford. They’ll see right through your plan. Your best bet is to keep gifts simple, thoughtful and somewhat economical.
The relationship you have with someone should be reflected by the gift. A personal gift implies you have a personal relationship. If you don’t, it could be uncomfortable and embarrassing for the recipient. If you have a close relationship with one of your coworkers, give expensive or personal gifts at home. Doing it at work will inadvertently insult your other coworkers if they get smaller, less costly gifts.
Don’t give "Christmas" gifts to non-Christians. This seems obvious, but since work relationships aren’t always close, you may not know all your coworkers’ beliefs. You can ask a close coworker or your boss, who might be able to give you insight from the previous year’s exchanges. If you’re still not sure, it’s safe to buy gifts, wrapping paper and cards without a Christmas or religious theme. You also shouldn’t assume that someone who celebrates Christmas automatically wants religious gifts. It’s safer to avoid them.
If you’d like to give a gift to a department or group, make sure everyone included will like it. Popular gifts are large gourmet food baskets, snacks, sweets or fruit. Something that can be left at the office, like a large plant or an espresso maker, is also appropriate for multiple people. If a group of coworkers frequently goes out to lunch together, a gift certificate for a local restaurant is a great idea.
Gift baskets, office items and gift certificates are generally well received. Gourmet food is always a Christmas favorite, but make sure it is something the recipient can enjoy. Chocolate or sweets for a diabetic or dieter, and a meat and cheese basket for a vegetarian won’t be appreciated. If your office provides coffee or tea, you will notice who drinks it. These people would probably like a gourmet coffee or tea set. Fruit or natural foods are also safe food gifts.
Giving personalized items, like mugs, pocket tools, pens, money clips, ornaments, picture frames, pocket watches and travel bags, shows you put time and thought into the gift. Although practical, these gifts are also unique and customized, and since they are functional, they are guaranteed to be used.
Gift certificates or gift cards are also popular gifts. They can be general or specific. If you know a coworker frequently shops in a certain store or goes to a favorite salon, a gift certificate from that store or salon would be appreciated. If you don’t know the person’s preferences, you could give a gift certificate for a mall or shopping center.
The packaging can make a big difference. It makes the gift more appealing, and shows you put time into its presentation. Even a small gift can look extravagant with unique wrapping paper and a ribbon. Plus unwrapping the gift is half the fun!
If you are mailing a gift to a client or coworker, it’s proper etiquette to include the person’s spouse and children. If you don’t know their names, simply write "and family" on the label. Try to give a gift the family can share, like a food basket or fruit bowl. If the gift is something the family can’t share, then only address the spouse and children in the card.
If you can’t verbally thank the person for a gift, be sure to send a Thank You card, letter or an email. If a gift was sent through the mail, the sender wants to make sure it arrived safely. For more personal relationships, call the person or drop by to thank them. Even if you thanked the gift giver when you opened the gift, it is not overly gracious to also send a card. It shows how much the gift is appreciated.
Good luck and happy shopping!
