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Home » Gifting at work

Gifting at work

December 9, 2014 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

ODE TO CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTIES

The dreaded much anticipated holiday season at work

Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer – O Holy Night!!!!

Happy Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Diwali, Merry Christmas

The holidays are a minefield of emotions, stresses, and demands on the budget and time of everyone this time of year. Family requirements are always a concern but even more challenging are the expectations in the workplace during the holiday season. Family responsibilities might be tricky and taxing but expectations at the office have higher stakes.

SRS Holiday Couple 1Some things to consider regarding office holiday party etiquette: 

 

BEFORE YOU ATTEND 

Commit to attend the party if at all possible. Some planning committee worked hard to provide a way for everyone to celebrate as a group. Yes, I know it is sometimes hard to relax with peopleSRS Holiday Couple 2 you may not even enjoy being around – get over it. You might find these people to be entirely different in a more relaxed atmosphere. Hey, at least try. Remember all that rhetoric about team building??

 Prepare mentally for some small talk

Remember most people’s favorite subject is themselves. Ask questions about where they went to school and grew up. “Do you follow the Saints?” “Are you an LSU/SU fan?” “What keeps you busy when you aren’t at work?” Another topic which always gets someone talking is family. “Do you have children?” Ages? Schools? Activities? Any pictures? Off limit topics (do I really need to remind you?) – religion, politics, office politics and policies, and controversial topics such as legalization of marijuana or immigration issues.

 Get a dress code idea

If you receive an invitation without a mention of formality or informality, ask around. Especially if you are new to the company, check with employees who have gone to previous parties. You don’t want to show up in a Christmas sweater with reindeer and bells and others are in a sleek suit or a cocktail dress. Consider a compromise between sexy and attractive and professional and serious.

Gift Giving

It is always welcome information when the office sets a gift giving policy. Having a Secret Santa or drawing names for a single non gender specific gift with a suggested spending limit is a great idea. Just remember personal items are not a good idea. Gift certificates are an excellent option. If you feel compelled to buy individual gifts, do not present them to the person(s) at the office party. Find a time/place before or after work to give such gifts, even if they are small tokens of friendship or appreciation.

Gifts to the boss are tricky and usually not expected. Be mindful of the workplace’s holiday culture and follow customary gifting which may be a single gift to which all have contributed or absolutely not giving boss gifts. Consider being creative and socially responsible in your gift giving. Perhaps you have a favorite charity that you would like to make a donation to in someone’s name, or think about interests and causes the recipient of the gift may embrace and donate in that area in their name. Shopwithmeaning.org lists organizations which fund causes from clean water, fair trade, fighting poverty, hunger relief and education in third world countries. The holiday season is a time when MANY agencies solicit – they are easy to find.

BEHAVING AT THE OFFICE PARTY

Holiday Bauble - SRS

Mingle

It might be awkward but make an effort to acknowledge all your coworkers and especially your superiors. The setting may seem really informal but defer to supervisors and bosses. Don’t use this as an opportunity to speak your mind, question or comment on work policies.

 Avoid any romantic or sexual advances

Discretion is important. This is not the time or place to declare your romantic intentions to a coworker. You certainly don’t want to be the object of workplace gossip after the party. If you are the object of unwanted attention, let the person down gently – especially if you find yourself being “hit on by the boss.” Remember innocent attention can turn inappropriate and lead to claims of sexual harassment. Don’t touch people in ways that can be misconstrued or say things that can be considered sexually provocative or demeaning.

 That drinking thing

First, remember that it is not a requirement to have any alcoholic beverage. Many people do not drink because of religious convictions, health issues, or perhaps because they are recovering alcoholics. No one should ask why you aren’t drinking alcohol and unless he is a dullard will not. It is perfectly acceptable to have a soft drink, water or coffee without any explanation offered. That being said, many people use a holiday party as an opportunity to imbibe at the company’s expense. Most post party gossip concerning improper behavior (think dancing with the lamp shade on your head, giving TMI -too much information about your personal life, or telling people exactly how you feel about fellow employees or company policies) is fueled by too much alcohol.

Problems arise that can cause others to think poorly of you or in extreme cases cause dismissal from a job. The more drinks, the more likely a person is to do something he/she will regret. I’m just guessing here, but if you are a drinker who has sometimes overdone it, think back to things that you did or said that might have caused you embarrassment upon cold, sober reflection.

So consider if you are drinking to eat food before drinking. You might order rum and coke or gin and tonic for a first drink and then switch to plain coke or tonic. No one will notice. If it is a long evening pace yourself and drink water and eat between alcoholic beverages. If you feel like you might be overdoing it, duck out early instead of getting drunk in front of the boss. In the holiday spirit, consider helping a coworker that might need to be encouraged to leave the party – and drive him/her or call a cab. On final thought – Don’t let these suggestion be a concern that overrides your decision to attend, as Holiday Office Parties can be great relationship builders with co-workers, clients or prospects.

Holiday Office Party SRS

 

SOOOOOOO – HAPPY HOLIDAYS, KWANZAH, HANUKKAH, RAMADAN, DIWALI –MERRY CHRISTMAS AND REMEMBER AN OFFICE PARTY IS STILL THE OFFICE AS FAR AS GOOD SENSE AND PROPER ETIQUETTE ARE CONCERNED. ENJOY AND BE SMART.

 

Related Posts:

Gift giving at the office

Filed Under: Human Resources, Work Culture Tagged With: Corporate Gifting Advice, Drinking at work, Gifting at work, holiday office parties, Holiday season at work, office party mishaps, Tips to survive

December 9, 2013 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

GIFT GIVING AT THE OFFICE

santagirl_srslegalHo! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas

Christmas is indeed a special time of the year – a time of anticipation and unfortunately for most of us high anxiety. The stress/anxiety of the holiday does not just revolve around family obligations but includes that area of life where so much of our waking time is spent – the workplace.

Gift giving, a central part of Christmas, presents special concerns in an office setting. You must be mindful before purchasing gifts for coworkers, bosses, those who report directly to you and support staff.  First, who is included?  If you are in a new position, ask fellow workers what is the precedence or if there is a policy in place regarding gift giving.  A gift says a lot about how you feel about a person, their worth, and closeness to you.  It is almost never a good idea to give a gift that is too intimate like perfume or, God forbid, sleepwear. Another area to be leery of is a humorous or gag gift – unless this is specifically outlined as an office tradition.  Remember everyone has a unique sense of humor and what you think is hysterically funny, another might find offensive. Consider the person.  Summer sausage to a vegetarian? A nativity set to a Jewish colleague? A large box of chocolates to an obese office mate?  A flask for the guy noted to overdo on the rum punch?

USE YOUR HEAD FOR GOODNESS SAKE. YOU BETTER WATCH OUT. YOU’D BETTER BE GOOD FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!  Santa Claus is coming to town.

Consider some of the following guidelines when purchasing a holiday gift for coworkers:

  • Keep it practical and under $20. (Sometimes offices set an agreed upon limit; this is a good thing.)  Some suggestions for practical gifts – desk speakers, picture frames, music gift cards, USB flash drives, ear bud headphones.
  • Fire up the oven and prepare goodies to share with everyone.
  • Institute a Secret Santa.  That way it is understood that everyone buys one gift and gets one gift.  There are so fun ways to do this.  Ever heard of dirty Santa where you can “steal” a gift from someone who has already opened his/her gift or go to the Santa sack for something still wrapped?
  • Arrange and participate in a pot luck dinner or a cookie exchange.
  • One of my favorites – sponsor a charity such as shopping for a family in need and all contribute to that.

A gift for the boss???

What is a good idea when it comes to gifting the boss?  Should you? Will you be seen as a suck up if you do?  It is best to not give an individual gift but opt to participate in a group gift – perhaps give a gift to charity in the name of your boss.  He has to be thrilled or appear a Scrooge. Bah humbug employees!! According to etiquette expert Emily Post, just don’t do it.

A gift for those that report directly to you???

This is your call but if you do, it should be done across the board. Consider something impersonal such as gift certificates, tickets to the theater or a sporting event, wine, or food baskets.

A gift for helpers and service staffers???giftanticipation_srslegal

You may want to remember those who support the company in positions that are not always seen yet assist everyone indirectly in accomplishing their jobs. People that clean, work in the mailroom or assist in low profile, minimum wage jobs might appreciate a group gift of money.

And finally, if you have a few coworkers who are special to you and you want to remember them at Christmas, be discreet in gifting them. Perhaps you could give your gift outside the office.  It is also a good idea to cover possible embarrassment and have a few wrapped, impersonal, non-gender specific gifts to give to someone who surprises you with a gift.

“What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.”  Phyllis Diller 

Happy Holidays to all and check yourself for the office Christmas party – be sure to check out this related post Holiday Office Party mishaps.

Filed Under: Human Resources, Work Culture Tagged With: Corporate Gifting Advice, Gift giving etiquette, Gifting at work, holiday party etiquette

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