What To Give Your Office Mates at the Christmas Gift Exchange
by Angela
The smell of evergreen, dreaming of a white Christmas, getting ready for Santa, all are things that bring out the best of the season. You’re excited, the kids are ready and, for once, everything is done ahead of schedule. Merry Christmas to you! Then, your boss or some other equally well-meaning soul comes up with the idea to exchange gifts at work. Just when you have it all together a wrench gets thrown in the works. Never fear. With any luck, one of these ideas will turn out to be just what Santa ordered.
If the person you need to buy for is of the feminine persuasion, this may work for you. I don’t know of a woman who doesn’t enjoy receiving flowers. Especially if the lady is single or if her man isn’t Don Juan, she may appreciate a small arrangement. Florists do amazing things this time of year in coffee cups or small vases. Have it delivered on the day of the exchange or pick it up to present it personally. I don’t suggest this one for a male colleague; you don’t want angry phone calls from his wife.
If you happen to be a holiday baker, this could be your ticket. Find a pretty, seasonal tin or basket and fill it with an assortment of all the goodies you already have made. A thoughtful card to your co-worker and their family with a keepsake ornament would round out the gift nicely. On the upside, the cookie tin idea works for either sex. Men definitely enjoy an edible gift. Watch your husband the next time you take fresh cookies from the oven; see what I mean?
This suggestion is especially helpful if the ghost of Christmas future is on your side. Hopefully, the name drawing occurs with enough time to truly think about what you want to give. If that is the case, pay attention to the person you will be buying for. What do they talk about on break? Do they have children? Maybe they are a Nascar fan or into the theatre or symphony. Once you notice something they are interested in a whole new world of possibility opens up. Opera glasses for the theatre and symphony buff or a poster of their favorite driver with a book on nascar for the racing fan. Going along with the secret Santa idea, there is probably a list somewhere with gift ideas directly from the person.
It’s kind of a cop out, but gift cards are a great idea if you’re really lost. With the price of a movie now it can be an expensive treat. Get one for the amount decided on at work; that way your co-worker can use any extra at the concession stand. You can always choose to give a restaurant gift card as well. Every one needs a break during the busy holidays and an easy meal out may be just what your teammate needs.
Maybe your gift recipient has a need at work that you can help with; like a new mouse pad or her/his favorite kind of pen. Most workplaces provide those items, but it might be fun to have something more personal to get them through the day. Find an inexpensive wire in basket and fill it with a stress ball, granola bars, and small picture frames, or anything you think the person will enjoy to make life at work more pleasant.
I know in my area of the world college sports, especially basketball has a huge following. T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, or even tree ornaments have college logos. Try one of those for the sports fan. Just make sure you get the right team. People can be picky about their favorite team.
Above all else, remember it’s the season of giving and do your best to pick an appropriate gift. The recipient will appreciate the thought even if you miss the mark. Of course, it’s important to realize that whoever has your name is just as clueless. Talk about your interests and favorite things to do and maybe you can avoid the bath products and candles.
Lisa's Comments
While I personally am *not* that into getting flowers, I probably would enjoy them around Christmas-time. especially if they came in a nice, re-useable coffee cup or something.
One more thing you might want to consider is someone who is trying to lose weight or stay healthy - don't do the ultimate cop-out and get them chocolate or candy. It might go straight in the garbage.
The smell of evergreen, dreaming of a white Christmas, getting ready for Santa, all are things that bring out the best of the season. You’re excited, the kids are ready and, for once, everything is done ahead of schedule. Merry Christmas to you! Then, your boss or some other equally well-meaning soul comes up with the idea to exchange gifts at work. Just when you have it all together a wrench gets thrown in the works. Never fear. With any luck, one of these ideas will turn out to be just what Santa ordered.
If the person you need to buy for is of the feminine persuasion, this may work for you. I don’t know of a woman who doesn’t enjoy receiving flowers. Especially if the lady is single or if her man isn’t Don Juan, she may appreciate a small arrangement. Florists do amazing things this time of year in coffee cups or small vases. Have it delivered on the day of the exchange or pick it up to present it personally. I don’t suggest this one for a male colleague; you don’t want angry phone calls from his wife.
If you happen to be a holiday baker, this could be your ticket. Find a pretty, seasonal tin or basket and fill it with an assortment of all the goodies you already have made. A thoughtful card to your co-worker and their family with a keepsake ornament would round out the gift nicely. On the upside, the cookie tin idea works for either sex. Men definitely enjoy an edible gift. Watch your husband the next time you take fresh cookies from the oven; see what I mean?
This suggestion is especially helpful if the ghost of Christmas future is on your side. Hopefully, the name drawing occurs with enough time to truly think about what you want to give. If that is the case, pay attention to the person you will be buying for. What do they talk about on break? Do they have children? Maybe they are a Nascar fan or into the theatre or symphony. Once you notice something they are interested in a whole new world of possibility opens up. Opera glasses for the theatre and symphony buff or a poster of their favorite driver with a book on nascar for the racing fan. Going along with the secret Santa idea, there is probably a list somewhere with gift ideas directly from the person.
It’s kind of a cop out, but gift cards are a great idea if you’re really lost. With the price of a movie now it can be an expensive treat. Get one for the amount decided on at work; that way your co-worker can use any extra at the concession stand. You can always choose to give a restaurant gift card as well. Every one needs a break during the busy holidays and an easy meal out may be just what your teammate needs.
Maybe your gift recipient has a need at work that you can help with; like a new mouse pad or her/his favorite kind of pen. Most workplaces provide those items, but it might be fun to have something more personal to get them through the day. Find an inexpensive wire in basket and fill it with a stress ball, granola bars, and small picture frames, or anything you think the person will enjoy to make life at work more pleasant.
I know in my area of the world college sports, especially basketball has a huge following. T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, or even tree ornaments have college logos. Try one of those for the sports fan. Just make sure you get the right team. People can be picky about their favorite team.
Above all else, remember it’s the season of giving and do your best to pick an appropriate gift. The recipient will appreciate the thought even if you miss the mark. Of course, it’s important to realize that whoever has your name is just as clueless. Talk about your interests and favorite things to do and maybe you can avoid the bath products and candles.
Lisa's Comments
While I personally am *not* that into getting flowers, I probably would enjoy them around Christmas-time. especially if they came in a nice, re-useable coffee cup or something.
One more thing you might want to consider is someone who is trying to lose weight or stay healthy - don't do the ultimate cop-out and get them chocolate or candy. It might go straight in the garbage.
posted by Lisa at
2:42 PM
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