Apparently I am a grinch. Work Christmas Q's

[steph96]

This will be my 3rd Christmas at my work. The upper management (like CFO level) has always given a card to all of the employees below them. The managers give cards to their staff. Some of these people might give one nice piece of chocolate wth it, but not everyone. No staff in my department has ever handed out cards. Today the newest girl in my department brought a card, a small gift, and some chocolate for everyone.

I had to work late and my manager stopped by and said something about how she needed to hand out cards on Monday and then asked if I was going to give out cards. I said that I didn't plan on it. She seemed appalled and asked if I planned to even give cards to the people that gave me cards. I said that the 4 other employees that previously worked in my department never did. Really, I haven't seen anyone at my level or lower give cards to their coworkers. Then my manager was like "you aren't even going to get a gift for [newest girl]?! She gave you a gift today". Someone walked up and our conversation ended.

Do I need to give cards out? Do I need to give a gift to the coworker that bought me one? Do I need to give gifts to everyone? I'm so freaking stressed out because my husband could very possibly be laid off and there is no way we can live on my salary alone. We already were forced into doing secret Santa (minimum $50 total) and I am still salty about that. I think cards are so wasteful and who really wants some random $5 trinket. That's at least another $50 total. I don't want to be a grinch but I also don't want to keep wasting money that we need to be saving.

[mbcdefg]

I wouldn't worry about it. It was weird that the manager said that.

Sorry you're dealing with this.

[steph96]

I feel like I am maybe being a little bit unreasonable. It's not that hard to buy a package of cards and just sign my name. But at the same time, who really cares about a generic card with my signature that they will just end up throwing away in a few days? It is a waste of paper and money.

[mcfelix]

Nope. I wouldn't do it.

[babsbunny]

If you're not sure, you could bring in candy or cookies. I prefer food over cards and stuff.

[jena]

If you really feel pressured to do something to prove that your heart is not two sizes too small, take in some cookies/treat for everyone to share. It's Christmas-y but doesn't set up expectations or force others to incur obligations.

[ECB]

Do NOT give the girl a gift. She needs to learn that you all don't do gifts. Cards? I'm with you, TBH. getting just a card from my boss? Meh. I don't need it or really care.

[cheezer]

People getting other people (whether acquaintances or CWs) gifts and then the reciprocation is what leads people to have a lot of junk and everyone spending a ton of money at Christmas that they don't want to. Just skip the card and the gift.

[FishChicks]

As a manager, I gave cards with personal messages to everyone on my team. I also gave gifts. As an employee, most years I gave cards to my peers, but not always. It's your call, don't feel bad about it.

[Balki.Bartokomous]

Team you. I think giving cards out to just give cards out is wasteful & meaningless. It's one thing to give cards to friends & it's another to give them to CWs. And $50 on a SS is ridiculous.

An easy & cheap way out of it is to make a few dozen cookies & then send a mass email to the department saying there are cookies at your desk.

FWIW, I gave my 2 direct reports gift cards because they bust their asses all year, my 2 temps & boss got some chocolate and that's it. If I gave out gifts or even cards to everyone I work with closely I'd be broke.

[Deleted]

Dec 20, 2014 1:52:49 GMT -5 cheezer said:

People getting other people (whether acquaintances or CWs) gifts and then the reciprocation is what leads people to have a lot of junk and everyone spending a ton of money at Christmas that they don't want to. Just skip the card and the gift.

I was going to like this, but I want to actually quote it and say YES!!!!!! because liking is too mild for how I feel about this topic

OP if I were you I'd do nothing or else maybe bake and bring in cookies or something. I hate, hate, hate this idea that everyone must give everyone stuff. I don't want cards and junk and I don't want to waste my money on it either. 

[spankswife]

This is when I bring in Xmas Dunkin Donuts (2dzn for $12) and leave a note with them. Done.