December 07, 2021
These five rules for an office gift exchange provide a helpful guide for participating in holiday gift giving at work. There are many unspoken laws to corporate gift giving. Ensure you make a good impression on your boss and coworkers by following our five rules for an office gift exchange.
Whether your workplace is doing white elephant, secret santa or has opted for another fun way to give gifts, office gift exchanges are always just a little bit stressful. Holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but the pressure to have fun and remain professional at work can feel like a tricky line to walk. We want to let loose… but not too loose, of course.
If you’re giving gifts to employees or your boss, the rules may change a little bit the fundamentals of respect and consideration are the same. No one wants to feel out of place at a holiday office gift exchange.
When it comes time to exchange gifts as your team celebrates the holiday season, its important to know what’s going to be expected of you. Some places may have certain corporate gift giving laws, and the first thing you should do is ensure you’re aware of what they are. Does your gift policy at work all for giving alcohol as a gift? Would that be considered appropriate in your office? If you’re unsure, double check with HR so you know exactly where you stand.
Below are our rules for giving gifts to employees and coworkers. These simple rules will help keep you on track for making a great impression at your holiday work party.
Rule Number 1: Stick to the Price Limit
Office gift exchanges typically set a price limit on every gift. While these limits are considered a guideline, it’s always best to match them as close as possible. Going far under the pricing limit will reflect poorly on you, and leave your recipient feeling left out and cheated. On the other hand, going far over the limit will likely make you seem like a show off.
Rule Number 2: Give a Strong Presentation
Gift giving isn’t only about the present inside the box, it’s also about the box itself. Don’t just dump your gift unwrapped on your recipient’s lap with no ceremony. Take the time to nicely wrap your gift and give it a little style. This extra step will go a long way.
Rule Number 3: Don’t be a Grinch
The holiday season, unfortunately, coincides with the end of year crunch, which means it can feel hard to pull yourself away from work at this time. Even if you’re busy, you should resist the urge the opt out of your holiday gift exchange. Taking a break to have fun with colleagues is never a waste of time.
Rule Number 4: Stay Workplace Appropriate
Even if you’re giving a gift to a close friend within your office, it’s always important to remember to say workplace appropriate. An inside joke between your friend and you may be funny to you, but if it’s something that will offend the rest of your coworkers, it may be better left for the weekend.
Rule Number 5: Be Thankful
If you’re in a large office, then the odds are pretty good you may find yourself assigned a secret Santa that doesn’t know you very well. Even if your gift is way off the mark, its important to be outwardly thankful as much as possible. These people are still your coworkers, and no one wants tension in the office because Debbie gifted you some ugly socks.
Sympathy Flower Bouquet
A trouble-free and excellent service from My Baskets when I was organising a surprise birthday gift for my son in Toronto from across the pond. The champagne and cookies were delivered on the day with no fuss and I even got a first time buyer’s voucher to use against the purchase. What’s not to like?
Chocolate asortments are unbelavible. Great taste and variety.
Excellent mix, great service
Meat And Cheese Gift (Flowers Included)
Very well presented or wrapped and the goodies were delicious.
Although I did not see it, the recipient was quite pleased with the assortment of goodies. Delivered within 24 hours of placing the order. Should I need another gift basket in the future, I won’t hesitate to call My Baskets.
Meat And Cheese With Flower Gift (Includes Flowers)
Elegant Sympathy Gift Hamper
The gratitude that was expressed from the recipient told me all that I needed to know. Efficient and delicate service. Very impressive.
6 Red Roses
Great quality and sleek design. The delivery was great and they even rushed it for me which was greatly appreciated. Easy transaction, I will definitely be using My Baskets again.
The recipients loved it. The service (Chloe) was great and delivery was on time and acknowledged.
Lovely Basket neatly presented and unique colors too also was delivered on time .
As usual delivery was prompt and no sooner was it delivered than I received a heartfelt thank you with an expression of how beautiful the flowers and basket were.