Yahoo Lifestyle Should I buy a present for my boss or coworker? Here are 7 tips for office gift-giving.
As you're celebrating with co-workers during the office holiday party, should gift exchanges be part of the festivities?
Is it OK to get a co-worker a gift? Should you buy your boss one?
At work, it is often traditional to give a gift down the ladder of responsibility, but not up the ladder, said Lizzie Post, the great-great granddaughter of etiquette maven Emily Post.
"We don't gift as individuals up the ladder because we don't want to look like we are trying to buy favor or favoritism," Post, an author, co-president, and spokesperson for The Emily Post Institute, told USA TODAY.
Group gifts can be a nice option, giving people the choice to participate if they want to or not, she said.
There could be exceptions when you have a special one-on-one relationship between a boss and an employee, where it might warrant a gift both ways, said Post. But always make sure you stay within a budget, she said.
Is it rude to regift? Here's the answer.
What is appropriate gift-giving at work?
Here are seven tips for office-gift giving from The Emily Post Institute:
It's OK to give gifts to your closest work colleagues, but give the gifts discreetly – preferably outside of the office. Keep the gift simple and moderately priced. Don't be surprised if they don't have a gift to give you in return.
Office accessories like desk games, fine pens, external data storage and office decor are good gift ideas. Shareable sweets and or food like nuts and hard candies also work well. Gift cards to favorite spots near the workplace are also often well-received.
Don't gift alcohol at the office. "A bottle of wine is a great and affordable hostess gift outside of theoffice, but when it comes to corporate gifting, consider food ratherthan alcoholic beverages." Also, avoid gifts that are more personal, like perfume, cologne or pajamas.
If you want to gift your boss or supervisor, it is best to do it as a department or group. "Set a deadline and have an envelope at your desk for anonymous contributions. It's okay to suggest an amount, but let it be known that the amount and even participation is entirely up to the individual. Then, purchase a gift with the proceeds."
If you draw the name of a co-worker whom you don't really know from the Secret Santa hat, here are some ideas:
Baked goods
Gift certificates to a coffee or tea shop, movie theater, bookstore or online book seller
Or ask around and find out his or her favorite charity and make a donation.
If you are giving a significant gift to a client, call the HR department to find out if gifts are allowed or if there are any restrictions on the type of gift or its value. "It would be awkward if you gave something meaningful or expensive and then your client, in turn, has the burden of either returning it or donating it."
Instead of gift-giving, suggest your office donate a book on professionalism or your field of expertise to your local library. Or, suggest the entire team volunteer during the holidays instead of exchanging gifts.
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Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Should I buy holiday gifts for co-workers or boss? Consider this.
