Dos and Don’ts of Office Gift-Giving Events

When your office celebrates a birthday, holiday, or employee appreciation event, spending time with your coworkers is a fun way to spend an afternoon in the office. Everyone gets a moment to break away from their daily tasks to relax and socialize, creating an exciting atmosphere where everyone can participate.

However, all that can change if the work-related event involves a potential gift exchange. You may be dreading what to pick up or even whether to participate at all. Don’t panic; there are a few dos and don’ts to know for office gift-giving events that won’t leave you scrambling. So, let’s look and see what you can do to make the gift exchange just as positive as the event itself.

DO Remember To Participate

Before you run to the store, check if the gift exchange is mandatory or optional. One of the dos for office gift-giving events is participating if possible.

It’s easy to be seen as stingy if you don’t participate in a company-wide gift exchange. So, get an idea of who plans to give gifts so you can plan appropriately. You don’t want to be the only one who doesn’t join in on the activity.

DON’T Overdo It

When a gift-giving event occurs in the office, it’s easy to go overboard and gift your coworkers something they didn’t need. Showing off during a gift-giving exchange won’t necessarily be in your favor, so keep it simple. You can always stick with gift cards and vouchers instead of an over-the-top gift basket.

DO Stay in Your Budget

Although it can feel tempting to overdo it and fill an entire shopping cart with gifts for your coworkers, try to maintain a budget. You can find thoughtful gifts that are also inexpensive, such as moderately priced tech, gadgets, and desk decorations. It’s actually more beneficial to be thoughtful about gift-giving rather than buying the biggest or most expensive present.

DON’T Get Too Personal

While it’s normal to cater to someone’s interest, don’t dive too deep into their life and what they like. Instead, pay attention to their surface-level interests you’ve learned through conversation. If they mention a coffee shop or movie theater they regularly visit, consider getting them a gift card or a small gift related to those interests.

Don’t browse their social media or invade their personal life to find out what they might want. Keep it professional and considerate.

Gift-giving events at work don’t have to be a stressful experience. Keep it simple, stick with a budget, and remember to enjoy the event.