Should you buy your boss a Christmas gift?
According to the National Retail Foundation, approximately 68.7 million people are expected to shop online on Cyber Monday. Perhaps, you have your list and are checking it twice to see what items you can score deals on. Depending on your situation, your boss may be on that list. Or, you may be dreading the cubicle card that gets passed around every year where employees sign their names and add money towards the boss’s Christmas gift. These two questions come up every year, “Should I buy (or contribute towards) my boss a Christmas gift?” and “How much should I spend?”
When trying to make a decision about holiday gift-giving to your boss, several factors should be considered.
1. Always check your organization’s HR policy first. Many organizations have gift-giving policies that outline what is and what is not appropriate in terms of the amount a subordinate can spend. While it may seem like a nuisance, those policies are written for a reason. For example, you may have already interviewed for and accepted a promotion. However, it may be perceived as a quid pro quo if you gift an expensive item to your boss and then your “new” position is announced. Those policies are there to protect you, your boss, and the organization.
2. Can you afford it? This may seem like a silly thing to mention but the truth is, people go into debt every year buying gifts that they simply cannot afford. Going over budget (assuming that you have one) during the holidays can certainly contribute to workplace stress throughout the calendar year. If you cannot afford it, I strongly encourage you to resist the urge to try to impress others by overextending yourself. At the same time, don’t go into a long explanation about how tight your money is this year. In the words of my grandmother, “no one likes to be around someone who pō mouths”.
3. Do you even like your boss? I am a firm believer in doing things from the heart and in the right spirit. With that being said, not liking someone may not be a strong enough reason not to contribute. However, if the contribution is done grudgingly then it’s probably better to just keep it. Oh, and if the issue with your boss is bad enough, the best gift to him/her and yourself may be “goodbye” as you announce your new job elsewhere.
4. Does your boss give gifts? Typically, the holiday season is about the organization showing appreciation for the contributions that employees make throughout the year. Let’s face it, no great leader can consistently exceed goals without a great team. However, if the boss gives out gifts then don’t be a Scrooge if the cubicle card comes around.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the value of a good old fashioned Christmas card. Personalized cards that have a picture of your family could be a great way to promote a “know, like, and trust” factor with your boss. However, if you are uncomfortable with that, you can always give a store brought card with a personalized message.