Maybe this is your first winter in a supervisory position. In addition to worrying about meeting year-end goals, you might have the added stress of figuring out what—if anything—to give your employees for the holidays.
Some people will tell you that you don’t need to buy your employees gifts (or that you shouldn’t), and while I do think that’s your prerogative, I’m a big fan of gift-giving, so here’s some guidance should you decide to go that route:
- Consider the precedent you’re setting. If you spend $50 per employee this year, but then scale back to $20 next year, someone on your staff will notice. If you buy gifts this year but don’t in the future, lots of people will notice. Don’t become so swept up in the holiday spirit that you go overboard. Set a reasonable budget and stick to it.
- Avoid showing favoritism. When you find something that’s just perfect for one of your employees, it’s tempting to buy unique gifts for each person. Don’t do it. It’s too difficult to match each gift in monetary value and thoughtfulness. Someone will be offended. One exception: If you have a personal assistant, it’s appropriate to give him or her a special gift. (Also, if you’re in a holiday gift exchange where you’re expected to give something to an individual, you can check out our Office Gift Guide on Pinterest for some fun ideas.)
- Everyone likes consumables. While not everyone will be thrilled with receiving another trinket or knickknack, it’s a safe bet that everyone will be happy with something that can be eaten, spent or otherwise used up. Examples: Give employees gift cards to a local movie theater, with a note encouraging them to spend an evening out with their loved ones. Or give them a gift bag with a gourmet treat or two. (Is there a person alive who doesn’t enjoy Moose Munch?!)
- Charitable gifts are also safe. Both you and your employees will feel good if you make a donation in their names. Choose a nonprofit that serves your community or that speaks to you personally. There are a plethora of options, but I like Heifer International, which allows you to purchase things like a flock of chicks for $20 or a goat for $120 to help make families around the world more self-reliant. The site also allows you to print or email cards that explain the gifts.
- Gifts don’t have to be tangible. Treat your team to a nice lunch out of the office. Pick up the tab and engage in real conversation about anything besides work.
- Keep it secular. I am all for people addressing me with their personal holiday greeting, be it “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Hanukah!” or anything else. However, when you’re the boss, you risk ostracizing some employees by celebrating a religious holiday at work. Stick with non-religious gift wrap, cards and gifts (think snowflake motifs rather than Santas). Note: I know a lot of people consider Christmas to be a secular holiday, but many people don’t. And whatever you do, please don’t refer to it as “Xmas.”
One final suggestion: In her New Complete Guide to Executive Manners, etiquette expert Letitia Baldrige suggests delivering gifts outside the office, so no one will gossip about who got what. Send gifts to employees’ homes or present them after work or at a restaurant.
What advice do you have for bosses this holiday season?
Filed under: Dos and Don'ts, Resources & Tools Tagged: | employee gifts, gift-giving, holidays, new managers, new supervisor
One time I knew only a bit about my new team members when the holidays arrived. I wanted to recognize them in a special way but didn’t feel like I could make a great choice for each one.
Instead, I wrote a card thanking each person and explaining a donation I had made in that person’s honor through an “Angel tree.” For example, one tag on the tree was for a boy who needed a coat. I knew my employee Greg was a football fan, so I donated a jacket for the boy with a team logo on it.