Gifting Etiquette At The Office

Before you run out and by a bank-breaking gift for your boss, it's important to know what message your gift may be sending. Expensive doesn't always mean better; in fact most of the time buying the boss a pricey present can make you look bad. So where do you begin when it comes to gifting your boss? We went to Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of etiquetteexpert.com, who went over some gifting guidelines.

Where should I begin when looking for a gift for my boss?
The old rule was that you never bought your boss a gift, but the office dynamics have changed over the years. First, you should know your company's gifting policies. Some offices don't celebrate the holidays at all. So make sure you know what the convention is at your place of work.

So if people do give gifts, how much should I spend?It's hard to put a spending limit on a gift for your boss, but buy something that is meaningful to him or to her. Let's face it, bosses have everything – they don't need another coffee mug or picture frame. So maybe you buy a gift for his or her family or his or her pet, something small that says "happy holidays." Otherwise it can look suspicious to both your boss and your coworkers. A really expensive gift from just you could look like you're trying to win favor. A $120 massage you purchase by yourself is unprofessional.

If you do want to get something more expensive, go in on it with a group of people.

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