It’s that time of the year again when holiday shopping ranks highly on your list of to-dos. Choosing the perfect gift for your loved ones can occupy much of your time and thoughts, let alone for your manager and colleagues! As much as company gift exchanges (such as Secret Santa) may seem laborious, there is good reason for you to actively participate in them.

The primary purpose behind gift exchanges at the office is to boost employee morale and foster mutual collaboration. You can think of it as another team building activity to improve the quality of your work relationships. Company gift exchanges are also a great way to show your heartfelt appreciation for your teammates—take this opportunity to say thanks!

Yet amidst the lightheartedness and cheer of the festive season, there are some unspoken rules around company gift exchanges. Appropriate boundaries need to be drawn, lest your gifts inadvertently offend your colleagues and end up straining relationships. Follow these 4 guidelines for choosing gifts during your company gift exchange:

1. Stick to the conditions your HR department has dictated

Your HR department should have stipulated certain conditions with regards to the theme and budget for your company gift exchange. If a particular theme for the gift exchange has been articulated, make sure the gift you choose matches the theme.

Furthermore, take heed to the budget your HR department has set—that is your spending limit. If the budgeted amount is $30 for instance, your gift should not cost more than $30. Being overly extravagant may make your colleagues feel uncomfortable and even cause your motives to be questioned. On the other hand, the price of your gift should not be much lower than the stated budget. You don’t want to be seen as a stingy miser.

2. Avoid gifts which are inappropriate

First off, avoid alcohol. Even though you may be tempted to give a bottle of red wine, you do not know whether the recipient will appreciate the gift due to his or her personal convictions about alcohol. Hence, it is best to err on the side of caution in an office setting.

In the same manner, avoid gag gifts as they are mostly not appropriate for company gift exchanges. Reserve crude humour for your family and friends.

Also, avoid gifting articles of clothing as your colleague may be sensitive about others in the office knowing his or her size. Worse still, you may guess inaccurately—and end up gifting a shirt that is either too big or small.

3. Give gifts of utility

Then you may ask, what should you get? Generic gifts which may prove useful for the recipient are ideal: candles, picture frames, coasters, desk gadgets and so on. While giving cash as a gift is unacceptable, gift cards and certificates from popular retailers are usually well-received. Food items such as snacks and chocolate are also fine—however, you need to take into consideration your colleague’s dietary restrictions.

4. Consider the presentation of the gift

Wrap the gift you have bought with some decorative wrapping paper. Ensure that your gift looks presentable—complete with neat folds, crisp edges and a beautiful bow on top.

Moreover, do not forget to attach a beautifully designed greeting card to your gift. In this digital age, writing a short Season’s Greetings by hand lends a personal touch and shows your sincerity.

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Read more:
How to Take Care of Yourself during the Festive Season
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