The DOs and DON’Ts of holiday gift giving at work

By Karen Leland

As we head into the holidays, would-be corporate Santas and entrepreneurial elves are making their lists and checking them twice to see which of their business associates have been naughty—or nice. While all gift givers hope that a thoughtful present will be warmly received by an appreciative client, thankful coworker or delighted boss, when it comes to presenting gifts at work, it’s more than just the thought that counts.

Eric Winegardner, director of product adoption at Monster.com, says one of the most important things to do is to separate marketing from gift giving. Promotional products (such as pens imprinted with a company logo) are often the (wrong) gift of choice at holiday time. “I am a big fan of branding the packaging,” Winegardner says, “but not the present.”

When you put your logo on the box, you get your branding message out—and avoid ruining an otherwise useful gift. As for the ubiquitous company baseball caps and T-shirts, Winegardner says forget about them. “The last thing anyone needs is more corporate logo clothing,” he says.

While the trend of giving holiday presents to clients may be going strong, the number of workers planning on surprising their bosses with a little something under the tree isn’t.

In 2006, Monster.com posted the question, “Are you planning to give your boss a holiday gift?”
Seventy-eight percent of respondents said no, up from 48 percent in 2005.

According to Marjorie Brody, author of Professional Impressions: Etiquette for Everyone, Every Day, one reason less employees are buying gifts for their superiors is simple economics. “Even if the stock market is going gangbusters,”

Brody says, “when you talk to individuals, money is tight. It’s being spent on gas and other necessities, not holiday gifts for the boss.”

Brody says that etiquette-wise, employees should never feel obligated to give their boss a gift. “Even if coworkers decide to get together and buy a group present, participation should still be strictly voluntary,” she says.

But what if your boss gives you a gift? “Reciprocation is still not necessary,” Brody says. “A thank you card will suffice.” To avoid putting workers on the spot, Brody says that some companies have even gone so far as to institute a company policy that discourages internal gift giving. Tory Johnson, CEO of Women For Hire, echoes the importance of checking company policy before making your list.

“Many Fortune 1000 companies forbid the exchange of gifts internally and among vendors and clients,” says Johnson.

For those companies that do allow gifts, Johnson says it’s prudent to stay within a reasonable dollar limit. “The challenge is to be clever and creative on a minimal budget,” she says.

One example is Sendaball. com. “For just $19.95, including shipping, they send a bouncy ball to your coworker or client,” says Johnson, who suggests personalizing the gift with a statement like, “I had a ball working with you this year.”

As for employees who really get into the holiday spirit and want to give their coworkers a token of appreciation, Peter Post, director of the Emily Post Institute and author of three etiquette books, says there are a few things to consider.

“Ask yourself if this is someone you want to exchange gifts with on a personal level as a friend,” he says. If so, Post suggests giving the gift outside of the office. But if the gift is being given as an acknowledgment of your colleague’s work, Post says it’s fine to deliver the gift in private, during office hours.

By taking the time to consider these gift giving guidelines, you can be sure your good intentions and carefully chosen gifts will impress, rather than stress, your clients and colleagues this holiday season. ■

badsanta, goodsanta

The votes are in and the experts agree—below are the business gifts to avoid and their best-bet alternatives.

avoid	alternative
ITEMS THAT ARE TOO PERSONAL Anything that touches the skin, such as body lotion, perfume or clothing, runs the risk of offending the recipient.	GENERAL GIFT CARDS National chains such as Starbucks, Borders and Cinemark Theatres all offer gift cards for amounts as small as $10.
LIQUOR Don’t put someone who does not drink in an awkward position. Even if the recipient is a wine enthusiast, you run the risk of giving a bottle they won’t enjoy.	FOOD Chocolate, cookies, cake or caviar. Anything that can be shared with coworkers is always appreciated and appropriate.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS CHARITIES Unless you know of a specific charity the recipient supports, don’t make a contribution in someone’s name they may find objectionable—for whatever reason.	NEUTRAL CHARITIES Donate to organizations that have no specific political agenda such as United Way, a local food bank, or a local Boys or Girls Club.