Do I Have to Give My Co-Workers Christmas Gifts?

Although Christmas season is such a heart warming time to get closer with our families and loved ones, gift shopping while maintaining budget can be pain in the butt to deal with. If your company organizes “gift exchange” event or gift giving is a traditionl in your office, the total financial burden and the time consumption can become quite headache.

A Lot of people are wondering if they have to buy co-workers gifts, or should they just buy managers gifts and forget about the ones who are at the same level.

Ask Thelma has a pretty good article to answer the questions. She basically pointed out that relationship building in a work environment is a vital part of the culture of an organization. A lack of interests in sharing may hold you back professionally. But if you want to give selectively, give them discreetly or outside of the office.

If you are interested, here is the full article.

I also find that mailing the gifts or just cards is a nice way to connect selectively. But I agree with Thelma that if it is a public gift exchange event and you don’t want to participate or give, you will receive some negative points from your co-workers.