Office Gifts? That’s a Wrap!

“Do you know what I’d like for Christmas?” my coworker asked. “Money. Money or a gift certificate to Walmart.”

It’s not a glamorous request. But it is practical. (Then again, so are the socks I’m undoubtedly getting for Hanukkah, but that doesn’t mean I want them.) I guess it’s a strong sign of the times though: No longer are people asking for the latest high tech-shiny-iwhatever toy. With the current economy, the most valued gifts are the ones most needed.

And some people cannot even afford to give practical gifts.

In many offices, it used to be the case that you’d get your coworkers (or at least your friends in the office) a small gift for the holidays. And bosses would give tokens of appreciation to their employees.

They didn’t have to be big gifts. But they would express gratitude for a job well done during the year.

This year, it’s probably safe to assume that gifts won’t be exchanged. (Although one must never assume.) Is this a good thing? Do you think it’s even appropriate to exchange office gifts in the first place, and especially in light of the recession?

I’m actually in the camp that is kind of, sort of, well…glad that it might be taboo to give presents around the office this year. Not that I’m happy about the state of the economy. Far from it. It’s just that, well, the whole office-gift-exchange thing can be awkward. Who do you get gifts for? How much do you spend? What if someone gives you a gift, but you didn’t get for that person, and vice versa? Do you get something for your boss and risk being thought of as a suck up by your coworkers? But what if you don’t get your boss a gift and everyone else does? You’re the worker, shouldn’t your boss get something for you?

It’s all very confusing. It reminds me of the horrible Valentine’s Day card exchanges in high school where you’d stress over whom to give a card to, and “what it all means.” I hated high school.

During a previous job, I was still relatively new when the holidays came around. So I was thrilled when I got to my desk and saw a card from my manager on my desk. Thrilled, that is, until I looked around and saw that she had given her other employees a bottle of wine. It’s stupid. But I was hurt. Years later, I still haven’t forgotten.

So anyway, are you getting gifts for your coworkers this year? What about for your boss? And if you’re the boss, are you getting anything for your employees? What are some of your best/worst office holiday memories? Leave some holiday cheer below.

Jessica Livingston
Editor
jessica.livingston@e-bim.com