Office Gifting: Do or Don't?

Image from On Common Ground. 

Since I have a slight obsession with etiquette, and since it’s the holiday season, I’m bringing up gift giving etiquette for the office place. Should you give your colleagues gifts? That could certainly get pricey. It could also get selective. What if you're closer with some than others? Could that be awkward? Do you get your boss something?

Are you stressed out yet?

Here are a few pointers:

• It’s better to under spend than over. Especially when it comes to the boss. A gift could be easily misread. It could also be awkward for an unprepared recipient to receive some extravagant.

• Have a stash of small gifts and/or cards in your desk drawer, just so you’re not caught off guard by a generous office elf. A coffee gift card is always an acceptable.

• If your team is closer, perhaps an organized Secret Santa or gift exchange could alleviate some of the pressure. (Just as long as everyone’s on board and make sure that people can opt out if they want.)

• It is okay to gift someone who doesn’t observe Christmas. Just skip all the Christmas paper.

Here are a few articles that will help out as well:

From Quint Careers: Office Gifts Dos and Don'ts

Ladies Home Journal: Office Gift Giving Etiquette

Wise Geek: What Should I Consider When Giving Gifts at Work