Does your office exchange gifts?

[katieb4tom]

My office does. I hate it. I don't want to spend money for 16 people who I just work with--I don't hang out with them otherwise, or even go to lunch with them. I do feel pressure to participate though. I also don't feel that I have the money to spare. Even $10 pp is $160! Someone else already does baked goods, so I can't get in on that easy out. I am honestly debating not doing it this year. If they stop getting me stuff, I would be happy to be relieved of the pressure. Am I grinch? Honestly, even if I am, I don't really care, I just don't want it to hurt me professionally. Does your office exchange gifts? If so how big is your office/what type of gifts do you exchange?

[LoveTrains]

Can you suggest that your office do a yankee swap or secret santa instead?

My office does a yankee swap and its great.

[Deleted]

No my office does not. Thank God! That would make me Grinchy. I am not sure how you could get out of it though w/o looking like a Grinch. But I would have been searching for things high and low all year long that could keep me at around $5pp.

[crispnclean]

No, we don't. The bosses usually get something small for their assistants, but that's usually it. At one of my former jobs, all of the ladies did a Kris Kringle (where you get randomly paired up with someone). Perhaps you could suggest that your office do that instead of buying for everyone?

[Deleted]

Luckily it's against the rules here. It's in the handbook that we don't exchange gifts.

I think it's fine if more than one person does baked goods. I think you can get by with way less than $10/person. A couple of lottery tickets. A nice pen (buy a large pack at Office Max), make a salted hot chocolate mix. Other ideas:
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[aspentosh]

Holy crap. I thought you meant exchange gifts like secret santa or white elephant. Not all people.

No, thankfully we don't do that.

[katieb4tom]

Rural--thanks so much! I love the smores idea, so cute. The candy is easier and cheaper though and considering how much I like these people, much more likely for me to do.

One of my direct coworkers doesn't eat candy--is it rude to still give him some? (I REALLY don't like him--total ass, but he always gets me stuff )

Dec 7, 2012 9:02:02 GMT -5 @ruralrabbit1 said:

Luckily it's against the rules here. It's in the handbook that we don't exchange gifts.

I think it's fine if more than one person does baked goods. I think you can get by with way less than $10/person. A couple of lottery tickets. A nice pen (buy a large pack at Office Max), make a salted hot chocolate mix. Other ideas:
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[Deleted]

We do secret Santa and I usually get a $10 gift card for each of my 14 staff.

I also take anyone to lunch who is around on New Year's Eve.

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

Absolutely not. In years past I've been a part of a team that does a white elephant type exchange, but that's it.

This year the head of our department is hosting a fancy Christmas party at her house, and we all chipped in to buy her something as a thank you gift. I don't know if that really counts though.

I'd be pissed if we had to buy for everyone. Can you just say "I am cutting back on gift buying this year and would prefer not to participate, here is a box of donuts/bagels/cookies/whatever to celebrate Christmas from me!".

(I guess that may be better for NEXT year since it is kind of late this year already)

[ellipses84]

Not everyone here does it but in the past, I have bought gifts for 10 people. I usually look for a $10 item half off on Black Friday, but even now you can find some good sales. One year I bought reusable cold and hot drink cups (like Starbucks cups) and filled them with candy, but you could do baked goods as well. I have received candles, lotion/body wash sets, mugs, etc.

[curbsideprophet]

We are doing a secret santa this year. You do not have to participate.

[protozoa]

That sounds so annoying. I just give gifts to the people who report to me.

[Doggy Mommy]

No. We aren't even supposed to say the word "Christmas" for fear of offending people who don't celebrate Christmas. The word "Santa" has been deemed "religious" as well. We aren't allowed to put up anything that looks like a Christmas tree because they are "religious." Apparently there is someone on the staff who is extremely offended by anything Christmas-related and makes sure everyone follows the rules.

I will bring small gifts for my teammates, however, and my principal. I think it'll be a water tumbler filled with homemade almond toffee or caramel popcorn and I'm going to make peppermint chocolate cake pops for the staff.

[ladygrey]

Our office does "Recycled Santa" - basically a week-long white elephant exchange with stuff that you already have. Then on Friday, you give a $20 new gift and reveal yourself. It's completely voluntary.

[kadams767]

We do a white elephant exchange at our holiday party, and I buy something for my assistant and paralegals. But no, everyone doesn't exchange like that, thankfully.

And everyone seems to bring in baked goods and candy, lol.

[melmo1122]

My department (accounting) does gifts with each other. Last year i did body shop body butters ($10), year before yankee candles (buy 2 get 2 free). No idea what to do this year as we now have 12 people. For my boss a few of us who have been here for a couple years chip in to get pieces of her christmas china because she is awesome. She usually gets us $50 gifts.

We also do the secret santa with the entire office if you want to participate. it's always a good time. Lots of alcohol grabbing going on and of course there's always a funny gag one thrown in there.

[arch01]

no. i'd opt out. i don't buy gifts for my husband much less my CWs.

[dexteroni]

Everyone? Oh lord. I was expecting you to say you did a name draw or something. If it's for everyone I would make candy or spiced nuts and give everyone a tiny box or tin of them.

ETA: An even better idea would be chocolate drizzled popcorn. It's delicious, festive, and best of all popcorn is cheap. If you don't want to pop the corn yourself, buy a big bag of Skinny Pop at Costco. It's really good and just salty enough that it will be perfect with chocolate.

[Roc A Bee]

No. In the past we have done a name draw and last year we all bought in gifts to give to Toys for Tots. This year I think there is a ornament swap, but I'll be out of town.

[glynn2009]

We have draw names in the past but have not done that in a couple of years. I hated it. People do give gifts to everyone in the office but I do not and I still get them. I say thank you and move on. I am the only one here with kids still at home that I have to buy for.

[froggy76]

No, we don't do that. That sounds ridiculous. Could you suggest that you sponsor a family in need instead? That will get you out of spending so much without looking like a grinch, and it will help someone who needs it.

[Deleted]

My department is super close and even we don't do this. No gifts. Everyone usually brings in some sort of treat for the department over the course of the holidays, but if not, it's no big deal.

I also think you can do baked goods despite someone else doing them. Those would be my favorite gifts anyway.