We're going to keep this short and sweet: here are the high points you need to remember on office gift giving during the holiday season.
- Don't give a gift to your supervisor. It could be seen by others as trying to "get in with the boss" or garnering favor. If you want to give something, a card is enough. Or a gift from the entire department or group is appropriate.
- You can give gifts to your closest work colleagues, but please give the gifts discreetly - perhaps even outside of the office. The last thing you should want to do is hurt anyone's feelings.
- A bottle of wine is a great and affordable hostess gift outside of the office, but when it comes to corporate gifting, consider food rather than alcoholic beverages.
- Speaking of food - everyone jumps up and down over a basket of muffins, a gift certificate to a coffee shop or a box of locally-made chocolates -- Yummm.
- If your office decides to host a Yankee swap or secret Santa-type exchange and there is a monetary limit (generally $20 or less), keep within that budget. People feel awkward when they receive a gift of greater value.
