In some workplaces, the Christmas holiday season is a time when gifts are exchanged between co-workers in secret Santa events and other organized gift exchange occasions. This may be a way to integrate a team working on projects together, but it can also be a source of awkwardness for some people, who simply do not know what gifts would be appropriate for their colleagues at work. In addition, when male employees have to get a gift for a female colleague, or vice versa, there can be some consternation, because people don’t want to send the wrong signals or do anything that might be seen as inappropriate. This article is meant to serve as a guide for workers who are faced with choosing a Christmas gift for a colleague at work in a workplace gift exchange event, whether before or after Christmas itself. It also contains advice on what gifts to pick if you are a female employee choosing a Christmas gift for a male colleague and if you are a male colleague choosing a Christmas gift for a female colleague. Getting a Christmas present for a colleague doesn’t have to be awkward at all if you take advantage of the Christmas gift ideas in this article. In fact, you might even enjoy it, and who knows, maybe your mutual gifts will serve as an opportunity for friendship to bloom. You never know.
If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for a friend, check out the article “Best Friend Christmas Gift Ideas”. You will definitely find something suitable for your friend after reading it, so don’t miss it.
What is the Best Christmas Gift to Give to a Colleague and His or Her Family?
Sometimes, you may receive an invitation to eat dinner at your colleague’s home during the Christmas season. For some, it’s a great opportunity to socialize, while others may feel a bit awkward at first. There is nothing wrong with socializing with your colleagues outside of work, and if they are inviting you to their homes, that only means that you are well-liked in your workplace. Just be yourself and have a good time. Unfortunately, the issue of a Christmas gift remains. What do you get as a Christmas present for a colleague you may not know that well? Or for their family for that matter?
Say you get your colleague a bottle of wine, and then find, to your dismay, that they are a recovering alcoholic. Nothing could be more awkward, and a pall will be hanging over the table throughout the social engagement. A pall of awkwardness and unease that will probably be difficult to dispel. Of course, this can be avoided if you stay away from “Christmas Gift Land Mines”, which include any kind of alcohol (unless you know for a fact your alcoholic beverage will not offend your colleague or their family). The general rule of thumb is that, if your gift can offend someone, it’s a “land mine”.
When it comes to choosing a general Christmas gift for your colleague and their family, it’s best to keep it simple and not too expensive. A classic Christmas gift often exchanged between colleagues at work is the Christmas gift basket. A timeless staple of gift-giving during the holiday season, the Christmas gift basket is non-committal to give, and yet quite pleasant to receive. Some items therein may even be appreciated by your hosts for their practicality. You would be well advised to take advantage of this great product of civilization, which can contain everything from fruit (for the entire family), through sanitary products (which everyone needs), to chocolates and candies (for the children, if present).
Getting your colleague the right Christmas gift can be the difference between a pleasant meal in good company and a somber affair, with everyone’s eyes fixed firmly to their plates.
What Christmas Gift to Buy for a Male Colleague?
If you are a female buying a Christmas gift for a male colleague, you may be surprised at what gifts can yield a negative reaction to your good intentions. For example, many women might think that getting a male colleague shaving cream or other hygienic necessities (like deodorant, cologne, etc.) will be nice and won’t send any bad messages. The recipient, on the other hand, might think you are commenting on their personal hygiene. So, while practicality is a good foundation for your choice of Christmas present, you may want to pick something that couldn’t possibly carry a negative connotation, like a pocket knife or letter opener. To emphasize your working relationship, you may even opt for something that your colleague will find useful around the office, like a coffee mug or pencil case.
Remember not to get anything too expensive, and whatever you do, do not go over the budget set at your workplace, no matter how hard it is to find something decent below that level.
Getting a Christmas Gift for a Female Colleague
As a male employee, getting a Christmas gift for a female colleague is fraught with pitfalls. Again, going back to the “Christmas Gift Land Mines”, you do not want to get any gifts that could even remotely offend anyone. In fact, it’s better to keep your gift completely gender-neutral. So instead of buying a gift that implies the recipient’s femininity, you should keep your gift smart and business-like, preferably something that is useful around the office. Coffee mugs with non-descript markings and inscriptions are among the good Christmas gift ideas for a colleague, as are various organizers for office supplies.
Again, keep your gift within the budget prescribed by your manager. Your gift should be a token, not an extravagant display of affection, no matter how attractive your female colleague may be. In other words, no jewelry, no displays of male-to-female affection, and not a single nod to the recipient’s femininity. Save those kinds of gifts for non-workplace situations.
Christmas Gift Ideas for a Close Colleague at Work
The easiest person at the workplace to pick out a Christmas gift for is probably a close colleague. You have probably already established a good rapport with them and know what they like. So it shouldn’t be too difficult to pick out a Christmas present based on an inside joke between you two or a shared workplace experience, right? Well, yes, as long as you don’t cross the line between professionalism and unprofessionalism. Remember that, as you exchange gifts in the workplace, other people may be watching you do so and may take offense if they misunderstand the situation. So maybe don’t get your close colleague at work a sex toy, no matter how amusing it might be to you both. Somebody might take it the wrong way, and that could spell trouble for your career.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you are now better prepared to pick out a gift for your colleagues at work in a professional manner. The aim of exchanging gifts in and around the workplace environment is to bring you closer to the people you work with, if only in a symbolic way, so if you keep that in mind when choosing your Christmas gift, you should be perfectly fine. By all means, do be creative with your gift ideas for your colleagues, but if you have any doubts as to whether they might be taken the wrong way, opt for something else instead. At the end of the day, preserving a good atmosphere in your workplace is of paramount importance for both you and your management.
