Emily Post

 By Dawn Stanyon, AICI FLC, Professional Image Consultant

We're going to keep this short and sweet: here are the high points you need to remember on office gift giving during the holiday season.

1. Don't give a gift to your supervisor. It could be seen by others as trying to "get in with the boss" or garnering favor. If you want to give something, a card is enough. Or a gift from the entire department or group is appropriate.  

2. You can give gifts to your closest work colleagues, but please give the gifts discreetly - perhaps even outside of the office. The last thing you should want to do is hurt anyone's feelings.

3. A bottle of wine is a great and affordable hostess gift outside of the office, but when it comes to corporate gifting, consider food rather than alcoholic beverages.

4. Speaking of food - everyone jumps up and down over a basket of muffins, a gift certificate to a coffee shop or a box of locally-made chocolates --here at Emily Post, we love Lake Champlain Chocolates. Yummm.

5. If your office decides to host a Yankee swap or secret Santa-type exchange and there is a monetary limit (generally $20 or less), keep within that budget. People feel awkward when they receive a gift of greater value.

If you need more advice on celebrating the holidays in the office, go to our Workplace and the Holidays FAQ.

Dawn Stanyon

Dawn is a Certified Image and Professional Development Consultant. A graduate of The Emily Post Institute, the London Image Institute, 360Reach Brand Analyst training and WSET Level 1 wine certification, Dawn's focus is on empowering people to reach professional success. As Director of Sales at The Emily Post Institute, she has worked with the Post family for six years. Prior to Emily Post, she was a non-profit director of development and community relations, a PR and fundraising consultant, and a graduate of the University of Vermont. Follow Dawn's Professionality blog for tips on professional dress, personal development and workplace inspiration.