I am only planning on giving a holiday gift to those I work closest with. If I get a gift from other coworkers (who are giving gifts to everyone at work), do I need to reciprocate? Thanks!
I do all or nothing at work (varied by year depending how organized I am). If you are only doing a handful of people because you are personally friends with those people, then you should exchange gifts outside of work, IMO.
No, you don't need to. If you do, it will be clear to them that you ran out to buy something out of guilt or that you had a stash of reserve just-in-case gifts in your drawer. There's no way for them to take that as a compliment.
IMO gift giving at work is out of control. It puts an unreasonable financial expectation and burden on people who are not friends but who happened to be hired by the same manager. If you buy something for them, it perpetuates the problem.
If you truly feel you need to do something, bring in a plate of cookies or make some cranberry mini-muffins to put in the break room.
Otherwise, hope that your lack of a gift helps to squelch this habit next year!
No. Just thank them.
It's fine to do that. They are not expecting everyone to reciprocate and you won't be the only one not reciprocating.
I've learned in recent years to not rush out and buy last minute gifts. Otherwise, you end up adding to your list of people you buy for each year. A thank you is appreciated.
Before I started telecommuting I use to give a little something to everyone on my team. Nothing big and nothing expected in return.
If you are only giving to a few people do it away from the work area like on break or lunch.
I don't think that it is necessary. People should not give someone a gift expecting something in return. I have a few friends I am close to at work but unfortunately we don't have the finances to get them something for Christmas. I have had a few that have given me small gifts. But I just make sure they know I am very appreciative and cherish their friendship. Part of me feels bad I am unable to get them anything but they know my situation.
I don't think you need to reciprocate gifts in the situation you describe.
No, you're not required to reciprocate but I do keep a box of mini stockings stuffed with chocolate and candy canes with me for just such times. It's just a little something to show appreciation (You can even stuff in a Lottery scratcher.)
I have a small difference in my answer from the other answers:
I think if you know for *certain* that the person is giving to *everyone*, as you write above, then you can shrug it off because you yourself are not giving to everyone, which is fine.
However, if you receive a gift from someone who is only giving gifts to a handful of people and you happen to be one of them - in that case, I do not think that you need to rush out and buy something right now this year, but you might want to make a "mental note" to think about including that person in your gifting next year, as sort of a mutual development of a "networking" connection.
No need to reciprocate.
No you do not need to give a gift to everyone. I just gave all 8 of my coworkers a chocolate yesterday with a happy holidays card and I don't expect anything back.
no, but you should also exchange gifts with your closest co-workers outside of the workplace.
the etiquette isn't a written-in-stone thing. i do give gifts but i work in a tiny shop with just five other people. i give cute little inexpensive things. some of my co-workers do the same, some just give a card.
reciprocal expectations are the debbil.
khairete
S.
