Follow some commonsense rules when gift-giving at work

December 17, 2017

This time of year, many of us enjoy, and in some cases, expect the giving and receiving of gifts from coworkers and supervisors.

While giving and receiving gifts can be a great boost to camaraderie and build relationships, to avoid potential issues we should follow some commonsense rules this time of year.

The best way to handle gift-giving among teammates is to set expectations as soon as possible. Either agree that in lieu of gifts, the team will have a pot luck, or agree on how, and if, the team will exchange gifts.

 If the decision is made to exchange gifts, the team should agree on a price limit (no more than $20 ideally) and how the distribution will go.

I discourage the methodology known as the Gift Grab where one person can take from another or give away the gift he or she opened. This is sure to leave hurt feelings and it’s not worth it.

Creating a Secret Santa is ideal so long as everyone keeps to the limit. This is the most economical method because in this case everyone only has to purchase one gift.

If you are new to an organization, you should make a list and check it twice, and then wait to see how the organization operates this time of year. If you are uncertain, buy several $15 gift cards to a restaurant and keep them in your desk ready to activate.

Of course, there is always that one coworker who either buys excessive gifts or buys a $5 gift when the limit is $20. Don’t be that coworker. If there is a plan, stick to the plan.

While everyone wants their gifts to stand out, participants should avoid gag gifts or gifts that are designed to be funny. They are funny until they are not, and then they are offensive.

In addition, avoid buying anything too personal or creepy. Even between two women or two men, don’t be too personal, or buy undergarments or anything that is sexual, racist, implicates someone’s age or mental health. Also, don’t buy alcohol as a gift for a coworker, even though that’s probably what everyone really wants.

This doesn’t mean the gifts have to be generic. If you know that Sally loves JMU, get her a Duke item. If you know that Fred loves to cook, get him something from Sur la Table.

Be respectful of those who do not celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah and/or just don’t want to participate.

Some people sincerely cannot afford this extra expense, and/or don’t have time to even think about it. Or, maybe they just don’t like their coworkers. Either way, avoid forcing people to participate in any holiday festivities.

Ultimately, if everyone is paying $20 to get and give a $20 gift, does everyone really need all that?

The best gift that everyone should be able to agree upon is volunteer/charity work. Ask management if in lieu of gifts the team can spend a half day doing charitable work or take up a collection and buy a gift for children with cancer or foster kids.

If you are in management, you should give something to your team, and you will most likely have to fund the gifts yourself.

Avoid designating it as a Christmas present, but simply an end of the year gift of thanks for the person’s hard work.

I recommend giving everyone the same gift, and it could range from a cool office supply product to movie night popcorn bucket filled with candy and popcorn.

Most importantly, write a personal handwritten note expressing appreciation for the work during the year.