Do You Give Holiday Gifts At Work?

Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Well, do you?

I work at an office with about 12 'inside' people. And in that mix there are 5 women. At Christmas (we are not politically correct, we have a Christmas tree and our company sends out Christmas cards - not holiday cards or winter wishes cards) we do a pretty traditional gift swap - the pull a name out of a hat with a $40 limit. But over the last few years, the girls have started buying gifts for one another - fairly small things but all the same, with a little variance. For instance, last year I got them each a different Starbucks travel mug w/ a $5 gift card inside. This year, they're all getting Jimmyjane Afterglow candles (thank God for EF gift cards!) - Might seem a little odd to some but we're a pretty tight group so I know it will go over well.

Does your office do this stuff? Do you have a small inner circle type group and do they do something separate?
11/15/2010
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Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
We do a secret santa and I usually get cards for the management staff and a little gift for the boss.
11/15/2010
Contributor: Envy Envy
We swap gifts. never used to before when I had my old boss there, but they do now. I didn't participate last year though, poor college student and all, and I'm not sure I will this year, I am saving for driving school/a car. My coworkers are understanding though, some aren't doing it, some are, etc.
11/15/2010
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Never worked in a place that did - retail and food service discourage such bonding by ensuring we don't make enough to enjoy the holidays.
11/15/2010
Contributor: TitsMcScandal TitsMcScandal
This is my first holiday season at this job, but since I am a manager I will definitely be buying gifts although they will definitely be on the small side. Maybe a giftcard with a mug or some candy. Haven't really thought about it yet. I really need to though.
11/15/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Jobthingy
We do a secret santa and I usually get cards for the management staff and a little gift for the boss.
We get together (inside and outside staff, totaling 21) and pool money and than buy 4 equal gifts for our 4 owners/partners. Usually cigars or bottles of good champagne because it ends up being about $100 per boss.

They lovingly reciprocate with envelopes of cash
11/15/2010
Contributor: Alicia Alicia
We used to have a Christmas party but never really gifts. We'd bake things for each other or something though. Now I work at home and my coworkers I only know through online so we don't send gifts.
11/15/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
I'm wondering if anyone else does Secret Santa swaps at work as well? I'm kind of stuck because I have one of my bosses to buy for. Luckily, this particular boss just moved into a new place and is also dating my best friend so I have a little insight, but it's still tough.
12/09/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Tori Rebel
I'm wondering if anyone else does Secret Santa swaps at work as well? I'm kind of stuck because I have one of my bosses to buy for. Luckily, this particular boss just moved into a new place and is also dating my best friend so I have a ... more
Ikea or Pier One maybe?

I've only had a couple adult "white collar" Christmases. The last one was REALLY awkward since I was the only one working there that had moved up from within the company and not hired in middle management/HR.

If there isn't anything formally established where you work, maybe just get a couple people you're closer to things...or maybe get donuts/cookies/coffees for your work place?

Food service jobs...eesh. Do they really expect people to stick around that long?
12/10/2010
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
My workplace is having a Secret Santa and the bosses usually get everyone something small.
12/10/2010
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
Never worked in a place that did - retail and food service discourage such bonding by ensuring we don't make enough to enjoy the holidays.
Ok, now that I am done laughing...I am SO there with you. I did take cookies to my managers (just 2 of them because we're friends...my girl's signed the cards because they LOVE these women).

J came home with like 10 gifts for our girls from the women in his office the other day...plus he had specific instructions (they are his bosses) NOT to get them anything. I am baking for them in appreciation of their gifts to our kids. One lady got them a freaking ice cream maker...I LOVE it!
12/10/2010
Contributor: Miss Morphine Miss Morphine
I've been exchanging gifts with the other curators and curatorial interns at the museum I work at. I also exchange gifts with the other Modernists in my art history program (can't do all of my grad student cohorts b/c that would be insane.)
12/13/2010
Contributor: darthkitt3n darthkitt3n
We don't do any sort of gift exchange. Last year management claimed they were giving everyone small gifts, though that never happened. The only people I have gifts for are my friends at work.
12/13/2010