Reposted from www.daillymuse.com
A baby shower gift for your
co-worker, lunch on you for an office buddy’s birthday, a great Christmas
present for your boss—when it comes to office gifting, it can easily seem like
you’re spending more money on your co-workers than you are on yourself.
Gift-giving is a part of many office cultures, but what if you’re on a
budget—or just plain gifted out?
I’m here to tell you that
gift-giving doesn’t have to break the bank—and it might even be good for your
career. Here are a few ideas to consider for your office celebrations.
What’s
In It for Me?
For starters, you’re probably
wondering how buying yet another baby onesie or set of his-and-hers bath towels
is really going to help your career. Simple—it shows that you understand the
office culture and you want to be part of the team. Think of it as a small
investment in your professional reputation. Participating in office parties and
celebrations is a great chance to show your boss and co-workers that you’re a
thoughtful, friendly person with great social skills—all factors that can work
in your favor the next time you ask for a promotion or a raise.
Consider
Group Gifting
Okay, so I promised that gifts for
your co-workers don’t have to put a serious dent in your wallet. But, what’s
girl to do when she’s invited to an office bridal shower, only to realize that
everything on the bride-to-be’s registry is $50 or more?
One option that lets you save money
and still give a great gift is group gifting. Round up a few other
budget-minded co-workers and ask them to contribute $15 or $20. Before you know
it, you’ll have funds for the perfect gift—without sacrificing a week’s worth
of grocery money.
If you’re organizing a group gift,
you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind. First, make sure everyone who
contributes gets a chance to sign the card. (You want to give credit where
credit is due.) Also, remember to collect the money before you buy the
gift. That way, you’re not left holding the tab for an expensive present if
other co-workers back out at the last minute.
Get
Creative
Group gift not an option? Time to
put your creative skills to work. A great way to create a memorable gift on the
cheap is to combine something you’re purchased with something that you’ve made.
For example, a baking pan packaged with a few cookie cutters and your best
chocolate-chip cookie recipe makes a great gift for any treat-loving birthday
girl. Need a going-away present for your co-worker’s last day? Combine her
favorite snacks and a few packets of instant coffee in a new mug (or, even
better, a mug customized with her favorite saying or a photo of the office
crew). Every time she reaches for a sip, she’ll fondly remember all the awesome
co-workers (a.k.a. you) at her old gig.
And one final tip for gifting on a
budget—don’t neglect the presentation. Spending a few bucks at the dollar store
on cute ribbons and wrapping paper can take a gift from so-so to Martha Stewart-worthy
before you know it.
(Kindly)
Opt Out
Of course, no matter what your
budget, there may still be times when you want to abstain. Maybe you don’t know
the person well, or, well, maybe you just can’t bring yourself to spend your
hard-earned dollars on one more pair of tiny baby shoes.
If you don’t want to contribute a
gift, you have a couple of options. If the party is taking place after work,
for example, you can decline (and thus, opt out of the gift-giving requirement
altogether) by claiming to have previous plans. (And yes, it’s totally okay if
those plans only involve watching episodes of Gossip Girl in your
pajamas).
But sometimes, attendance at office
celebrations is pretty much mandatory, especially if the party is held during
the workday. If this is the case, honesty is usually the best policy. Saying,
“My budget’s a little tight this month, but that doesn’t mean we can’t
celebrate!” then pulling out a thoughtful card and a plate of delicious cookies
can help smooth over any awkward moments.
When
Gifting Goes Too Far
All this said, if office gift-giving
gets totally out of control, it could be time to bring up the subject with your
boss. As with any work issue, you’ll want to stay positive and come prepared
with a few solutions. For example, you could say, “I love that we have such a
tight-knit office, but chipping in for multiple birthday presents every month
is really putting a strain on my finances, and I imagine that others might feel
the same. Instead of buying gifts, what if we threw a pot-luck or each
contributed just a few dollars for a birthday cake?”
The bottom line is that, with a
little creativity, office gift-giving can be affordable, and even fun. So
consider the benefits (not to mention the good karma) that comes from participating
in office events and traditions, and remember that there are plenty of ways to
celebrate without blowing your budget.
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