At this stage in the year, you're probably settled into your graduate job and starting to make a few friends around the office, lab or site within the company you're working for. With friends come responsibilities, such as Birthday-gifts, coming-back-from-holiday-gifts, I'm-going-on-holiday-gifts, I'm-moving-house-gifts, the list goes on and on. So here are 5 simple but useful tips that should be taken into consideration before you decide on gifts for people around the office.
1. Abide by the rules
Regardless of the size of the company, when you get comfortable it's easy to forget the guidelines written in your contract and within the company's policy. Some companies genuinely don’t allow staff members to exchange gifts in the work place, so be careful not to break the law of the firm in doing so.
2. Don't take the joke too far
Even if the recipient of the gift is one of your closest friends in the office, remember that they are going to receive this present in clear view of at least your line managers so keep this in mind. Essentially, get something that your grandmother would find funny but not offensive - finding the balance is crucial.
3. If you're going to feel awkward, so will everybody else
It's not uncommon to have an office crush, however, when everyone's crowded round to give gifts to the birthday boy/girl, it's not a good time to express how you feel. Avoid a Mariachi band at all costs, try to steer away from 14 dozen roses, and by all means if you can help it, this isn’t the time to get out your guitar and play them a song or poem you’ve written for them.
4. Non-Exclusivity
Take a note of what might exclude people if you’re buying an office present from abroad. Clearly no exotic liquors because for one, you can't seriously consider drinking alcohol at work;and two, there may be colleagues who are either recovering alcoholics or don't drink for personal reasons. Another thing if going for confectionary, if the budget allows, try and get small quantities of chocolate and sweets (covering the lactose intolerant and gluten sensitive amongst you).
5. Remember! No One Likes a Show-Off!
When you're the new kid on the block it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the need to impress, but don't! If you overspend or over-impress with the first present you give at work, people will expect more of you for there on in. Once again, don’t! Buy a present that's mediocre on a scale of 1 to 10 and only put the effort in every now and again so it's more of a big deal when you do. It's a lot less pressure to just say "I'm terrible at buying presents" or "I never know what to buy". Even better than this, deflect the subject by complimenting others gift ideas so they don't look at what you've bought in. Works a charm.
