Before you begin creating your holiday office gift list, check your company’s gift-giving policies. Some organizations have specific policies that prohibit gift giving among employees or place limits on the value of any gift.

 

Once you are certain of any relevant policies and procedures, feel free to create a list of those people within your organization with whom you have established a relationship. Consider selecting moderately priced gifts that demonstrate your good taste. An attractive scarf or tie, a scented candle, a candy dish, or even a mounted baseball for a sports fan would all make office-appropriate gifts.

 

Most importantly, make sure that any gift you give will not make the recipient feel uncomfortable should they open it at the office. Lingerie is never an office-appropriate gift. Likewise, cologne and perfume should probably be avoided as they are simply too personal.  And gag gifts are likely to make the recipient do just that--gag. Avoid them.

 

While you are purchasing gifts, don’t forget the people in your office’s copy center, mail room, technology center, and library. A tray of cookies or a bin of popcorn helps communicate how much you appreciate the services these people provide in supporting you and your work.

 

If your office provides holiday cards for you to send to friends and contacts, take advantage of this opportunity to reconnect. In fact, start a holiday card list right now and commit to adding names to it throughout next year. Eventually, this list may become the basis for your own professional network.

 

As a very minimum, plan to hand sign each and every holiday card that you send. To the extent possible, personalize each card by adding a signed note. A simple sign-off, for example, “Wishing you the happiest of holiday seasons,” communicates that you are personally interested in the recipient.

 

Hold off on sending business acquaintances any paper or electronic newsletters that summarize your family’s key achievements throughout the year. Never assume that all of your business acquaintances will share in your delight that little Brad or Christina has finally graduated to eating solid foods.