Holiday Office Gift Giving Etiquette

Office gift giving has changed considerably this year due to financial fluctuations, job loss, working remote and personal budgets. Many companies are focusing on spending holiday dollars, doing something good for the community rather than sending out the standard boxes of candy or bottles of wine. While corporate gift giving isn’t becoming completely obsolete, it is certainly taking a turn for the more thoughtful approach. I was recently quoted in an article in The Wall Street Journal on holiday office gift giving etiquette and shared my thoughts there. 

Previously published on Inc.

If you are giving gifts to your office mates, here are a few of my tips on gift giving best practices.

Do:

Research the Office Gift Giving Policy

There may or may not be an official rule on gift giving. Knowing the specific guidelines will take the pressure off of you and give you a clear course of action.

Ask Around

If it’s your first year on the job, you may not be familiar with how the holidays are celebrated in the office. Ask your coworkers what they have done in the past and what plans are in place for the upcoming holiday season. If it’s all still up in the air, feel free to contribute your thoughts at the next staff meeting or around the office kitchen or where people usually congregate to discuss what’s going on.

Understand that Company Policies Vary

Some clients will gladly accept a nice bottle of wine or a box of fruit, while others aren’t allowed to receive gifts of any kind. Call the company and ask about their specific gift giving policy before sending something that your client cannot accept.

Gift Appropriately

Every business is different and what is acceptable in one office may be inappropriate for another. A casual tech company may have a more simple gift giving policy than a large corporation with hundreds or even thousands of employees. Good taste and sound judgment come into play when determining what to buy.

Give Something Thoughtful

The gift doesn’t have to be expensive but it should be well planned. If you know who will be receiving your gift, put in a little time to get something your coworker will appreciate. Wrap it carefully and include a bow. If you give a gift card, make sure it is to a store or coffee shop you know they will enjoy.

Stay Within the Designated Budget

If there is a spending cap, don’t embarrass others by giving a much larger or smaller gift. Either way, someone will feel uncomfortable when they unwrap your gift box.

Don’t: 

Don’t Give a Gag Gift

You don’t know how other people will react to what you perceive as harmless fun. Steer clear of anything political, religious or too personal. Even if they don’t appear to be offended, what is funny to you may not be as humorous to someone else.

Don’t Exchange Gifts with Only a Few Coworkers

It causes hurt feelings to give gifts to some people and leave others out. However, if you do not intend to provide a gift for all of your peers, which most people do not, just be sure to meet someplace for lunch or after work to exchange those gifts privately.

Don’t Refuse to Join in the Fun

You may not enjoy the office holiday festivities, but opting out of the Secret Santa ceremony sets you up to look like a Scrooge. Unless you cannot participate because of religious reasons, join in the festivities and be a part of the team.

Don’t Buy an Elaborate Gift for Your Boss

A small token of appreciation is considerate and all that is necessary for your boss. Better still, go in on a gift from the office and have everyone sign the holiday card. This will save you from looking as if you are a brown-nosing reindeer.

Don’t Gift Food to Those Not Present

There is always someone who asks for time off during the holidays. That employee will not want the cranberry orange bread you baked sitting on their desk for two weeks, collecting flies. Find out who will be in the office and plan your baking accordingly.

Don’t Pretend You Left Their Gift at Home

If someone gives you a gift and you don’t have one to give in return, simply say “thank you for thinking of me” and leave it alone. Rushing out to get something for someone you didn’t intend to give a gift to may throw off your budget. Wait until after the holidays and take them out for a New Year’s lunch. Receiving a gift is not an automatic obligation to reciprocate.

Taking the time to research holiday office gift giving etiquette and review office policies can help solidify relationships and boost morale during the holidays. The wrong holiday gift can do just the opposite.

You may also like The Comfort and Joy of Holiday Traditions. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.