Dog wrote a really interesting response about Office Christmas in response to my downsized gift giving post. She writes that she would use Christmas as a time to bribe people who could make her life easier. That she would give very generous gifts when she had her old job. But she says that you don’t want to be the stingy bitch at Christmas who didn’t buy loyalty and favors.
Honestly? She’s right. It is a great time of year to buy favors, I wouldn’t say loyalty, but definitely favors. And yet my DH and I both don’t do it. It’s not money I want to spend period. It sounds great that you are buying favors, and you don’t have to do much, maybe $20 gift cards to starbucks for everyone.
But I know doing nice gestures all year is also a good way to rack up favors. What sort of favors? I’ll help out a collegue who I know has kids and say “I’ll be in anyway this weekend or holiday at work and I’ll take care of your work..” Thus they don’t have to drive in on a holiday or weekend. I also graciously acknowledge work and help from the office secretary to the boss when he goes out of his way. Other people don’t bother.
So yep, I don’t give away monetary or tangible gifts. I make cookies and fudge and bring it in because I crave it and make tons. It’s not to buy favors but because I like to do it. Am I buying favors? No. I enjoy doing it.
But I just unfortunately am not going to spend a few hundred bucks and buy goodwill at Christmas, I don’t have the time or energy or money. And perhaps when I make a lot more and can afford it, I will. I reserve the right to change my mind. But honestly since I couldn’t care less about a $10 candle, I don’t see the point of gifting other people with more junk they don’t need.
Do you play the gifting game? Do you use Christmas as a time to buy goodwill? Does it work? I’m curious how Dog feels after this holiday and not being at a fancy company, but isntead giving out $10 candles instead of $150 gift cards. Do people really care if it’s a small gift versus a large extravagent gift?
5 responses so far ↓
1 R.May // Dec 16, 2009 at 10:03 am
I completely agree with you! If anyone I worked with gave me a pricey gift I would be extremely uncomfortable and highly suspicious of what exactly you were up to. Maybe it’s because I don’t work at a ‘fancy company’ but I look at extravagent gifts as bribery which feels icky.
But send me an email saying thanks after I have done something for you and you become one of my favorite people.
2 Stacey // Dec 16, 2009 at 10:32 am
I’ve found that a holiday card can be a great “gift” for supervisors. I’m a freelancer and most of my co-freelancers don’t think to send Christmas cards – it’s just a nice touch that says “I thought of you.”
I don’t think I’d be comfortable buying gifts, but homemade gifts always go over well!
3 LAL // Dec 16, 2009 at 10:56 am
R.May, I think a lot has to do with company culture. In more upper class work environments, you probably have to and it’s a game. In lesser work environments, if you did something like that it’s VERY suspicious.
Stacey, I like giving cards too!
4 dogatemyfinances // Dec 17, 2009 at 11:43 am
Yes, coming from a $150 gift card, piling up on candles seems like no big deal. I like giving candles because I love getting them, and they can always be regifted if my co-workers don’t like them.
If I can make someone feel good vibes for me, and I have to spend a lot of time with that person, that’s worth more than a $10 candle.
5 LAL // Dec 18, 2009 at 10:08 am
I can’t say I like candles, but it seems nice. Bake some cookies dog or fudge. See if that works. Everyone loves my white chocolate macademia nut cookies this year.
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