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Unwrap the Office Holiday Gift Exchange

Holiday gift exchanges in business offices are popular, but vary widely.

Some offices have definite gift policies with someone designated as the facilitator. Other office managers just leave it up to the employees to muddle through the gift-giving season in whatever way they see fit.

At the far end of the spectrum are the offices that issue official policies banning gift-giving and even festivities altogether. Somewhere in the middle are the companies who still enjoy informal gift-giving.

As a gift expert you may be asked to provide guidance to office workers and managers regarding holiday gift exchanges. Here are some guidelines you may share with them.

1. Participation should be voluntary. Respect the wishes or the workers who choose not to be involved.

2. Set a budget to prevent disparity in gift values.

3 . Exchange names or numbers, often called Secret Santa. When names are exchanged the giver can tailor the gift to the recipient. When numbers are exchanged, unisex gifts are best.

4. Avoid gifts that touch the skin: clothing, intimate items, colognes, even lotions.

5. In the absence of firm gift-giving policies, give token gifts or no more than a few dollars in value such as a candy cane, a Christmas tree ornament, homebaked cookies, small ceramic for the desk to hold paper clips or other whatnots or a small plant.

6. Ask everyone to pitch in a donation to buy an office item that needs replacing, such as a coffeemaker or a microwave.

7. Employees may prefer to pitch in a financial donation to a charity related to their industry.

8. Launch a canned good drive and donate the proceeds to the needy.

9. Don’t give your boss a gift unless it’s from the whole group, and one that the boss’ family can enjoy too, such as a fruit or gift basket of gourmet treats.

There's no doubt that some employees end up trading trinkets and junk at this time of year. It's far better to advise your clients toward tasteful and timeless gifts.

So there you have it, the tips you need to advise your clients. While some feel that office gift exchanges are passé, the desire to give is still alive in many of us. Following these guidelines will help ensure that the gift is welcomed and appreciated by the recipient.

Learn more about Business Etiquette.

About the Author

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her websites, blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies. She is mother of four and grandmother of three. When she's not traveling she enjoys her home in Anaheim, CA.