Here are six rules for gift-giving at work from Career Journal:
- Keep it voluntary.
- Weigh a gift to the boss carefully, since others may perceive it as inappropriate or an attempt to curry favor.
- Be mindful of income differences and financial pressures when soliciting group gifts.
- Don't present a gift to someone you don't know well just because it's the holiday season.
- Gifts among peers are best exchanged off site and after hours to avoid anyone feeling excluded.
- What if you receive an unforeseen gift? Do you reciprocate?
We have a very small office and some people give gifts for the holidays and others don't. It's really no big deal if you do or not. I choose to give a small gift to everyone and it's usually a book or something like that in the $10 range. Everyone gets the same gift as well as a small card wishing them a great holiday.
How do you handle gifts at work? What have you seen that works/doesn't work?
It is always nice to give gifts. It is of course nice to get them as well.
I do hate when gifts become more mandatory due to pressure. Gifts should be given because one want to give them.
Posted by: More Merchant | December 07, 2006 at 06:47 AM
At my last employer we had a secret santa gift exchange. But to make sure that the people were easier to buy for we had a small survey that we sent around asking people to say if they like chocholate or what kind of alcohol they like. It made the whole process that much better.
Posted by: Matt | December 07, 2006 at 10:39 AM