How to find the right gifts for your coworkers

The holiday season finds people making shopping lists that include gifts for all of the special people in their lives Such lists also feature the people with whom individuals may spend the majority of their time each day coworkers Gifting coworkers can strengthen professional relationships build camaraderie and show appreciation while on the job A well-chosen gift can leave a lasting impression whether it s given for a birthday promotion or the holiday season According to a survey from Office Depot of employees announced their workplace had a holiday gift-giving tradition like Secret Santa or White Elephant It is significant to balance thoughtfulness with professional decorum when selecting gifts These guidelines can help anyone approach workplace giving Consider company way of life One of the first aspects of gift giving among coworkers is understanding the custom of the company In chosen businesses gift exchanges are commonplace and encouraged during association celebrations or the holiday season In others they may be rare or even frowned upon It is inevitably a good idea to check with human information before choosing a gift particularly for those who are new to the company Avoid personal gifts When selecting gifts consider thoughtful items that are not too personal These can include desk organizers coffee mugs plants notebooks photo frames or even gift cards to nearby restaurants Be mindful of food and beverages When choosing to give a gift of food be aware of any dietary restrictions and allergies the gift recipients may have Also while a gift of wine or another bottle of alcohol may seem fitting one never knows if a person is abstaining from drinking so it s best to avoid such gifts in the workplace Consider personalized gifts for close colleagues Giving personalized gifts to close coworkers can be a great way to show appreciation when one knows the recipient well enough For example if he or she can t survive without coffee each morning then a gift of an engraved insulated coffee tumbler can be perfect If the coworker mentions being part of a book club a specialized bookmark or gift card to a bookstore will be fitting Be careful with humor When gifting a funny present avoid anything that can be misinterpreted or considered offensive It s best to avoid any political humor For those unsure about whether a gift might be taken the wrong way skip that gift and choose another option Limit the cost Several coworkers may be friends but it is best to keep all gifts inexpensive and of the same value if the plan is to gift everyone in the department The general range of gift prices at the workplace is between and One of the best ideas for company gifting is to see who might want to participate in a gift exchange and then everyone brings a grab bag gift Then there isn t pressure on any one person and gifts are distributed randomly These guidelines can help anyone deal with workplace giving