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Holiday Etiquette - Tips for Gift-Giving at the Office
Choosing the right holiday gift for your colleagues, your boss or your clients can be one more overwhelming task to add to your plate during the holiday season. That's because gift-giving in the business environment has its own set of rules and guidelines. Jacqueline Whitmore, Office Depot's world-renowned Etiquette Expert, has put together the business gift-giving tips and advice you need to know before beginning your holiday shopping. Below are Whitmore's "Etiquette Essentials" that every businessperson should keep in mind this holiday season.
- Set a spending limit for gift-giving exchanges. Once a price limit is set among coworkers or for your office's Secret Santa exchange, make sure you stick to it. Limits help participants select an appropriate gift at an affordable price. Whenever you overspend, you run the risk of looking like a show-off. On the other hand, spending considerably below the norm might come off looking stingy.
- Give thoughtful and useful gifts. Whether it's for your boss, colleague, assistant or client, gifts that lend both organization and style to an office environment are always appreciated. To enhance a drab cubicle, give the colorful Mosaic Gift Set (includes photo frame, pencil cup, and business card holder - $24.99). Gift cards are a fantastic option because they allow your recipient to choose his or her own gift. Office Depot provides a little warmth to your gift card by accompanying it with the "Teddy B Caring" Gift Card Holder ($3.99); proceeds from the teddy bear purchase go to Toys for Tots.
- Tailor your gift to the taste and personality of the receiver. Keeping track of your clients' and colleagues' likes, dislikes, interests, and hobbies is always helpful at gift-giving time. For clients that constantly travel, gifts such as the Office Depot Lap Desk (suede-like cushion bottom and sturdy writing board, $34.99) or the Franklin Covey Nappa Leather Binder (business/credit card slots and zipper capabilities, $99.95) would show both your attention to detail and appreciation of high quality.
- Consider corporate culture. Before sending any gifts to clients or vendors, it is best to check the receiver's corporate policy guidelines on gift-giving. Otherwise, a well-intended gift may be returned to you.
- Bring coworkers together to get your boss a gift. Brainstorm gift ideas with your colleagues and have everyone chip in on one group gift for the boss. For the tech savvy boss, the Logitech mm22 Portable Speakers ($79.99) look great and travel well on business trips. Another option is to give your boss the gift of relaxation with the Leather Executive Shiatsu Chair ($110). If you work in a small office or know your boss well, it's acceptable to give a smaller but personal gift, like a gift card, book or CD.
- Personalize but don't get too personal. Personalizing your gift shows your creative side while letting your recipient know that you're an attentive listener. Just be careful to stay away from items that are too personal in nature, such as perfume, clothing, red roses, alcohol, or tobacco products. The Photo Organizer Gift Pack ($9.99) is a clever and inexpensive gift you can personalize by inserting group photos of the team.
- Beware of humorous or gag gifts. Avoid giving a humorous gift if you don't know a person well. What you might think is cute or funny may be offensive or insulting to someone else and could quickly damage or even sabotage a business relationship.
- Always remember a personal note. The hand-written note adds a nice touch to any gift. Those deserving a note of thanks include anyone who's given you advice, their time, or a helping hand this year. Office Depot has the perfect holiday card to say just the right thing ($9.99 and up for boxes of 15-30). Appropriate wrapping paper and presentation are also very important, and whenever possible, try to give the gift in person.
Whitmore has designed these tips to take the stress out of workplace gift-giving, and many of these tips can be applied in any gift-giving situation. All of the suggested gifts can be found at Office Depot stores nationwide or on the web at www.OfficeDepot.com.
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