Work gifts etiquette

[Thirtyrock39]

I'm not a big fan of buying loads of presents generally and am quite skint this year. I work in a very small team as an assistant to 2 higher level colleagues . We don't have secret Santa or anything and I hadn't planned on buying either a gift. TodY on penultimate day of term I was given a gift by one of senior colleagues ...I'm not planning on buying one back as don't want to get into a habit of having to buy them gifts and in previous jobs I've bought gifts for assistants not expecting them to reciprocate.
On the other side of coin dh has so far 'had' to spend over £50 on gifts for colleagues including secret Santa (which surely should mean no other gifts are required????) gifts for his team and then asked to donate to staff hampers etc ....I'm really uncomfortable with it all and told him to just stick to secret Santa but he says that's just how they do it there
Thoughts???? Am I a total Scrooge or is this what people do now? Have I always just happened towork with people as tight as me perhaps up till now?!

[TwoGunslingers]

I buy for two secretary type PA type women who work for me (technically) they're basically clerical staff available for us to use. They're really hard workers and I like to give them something nice that they wouldn't but for themselves. I spend maybe £30 on each but they'd never buy me. I don't think they feel awkward as the card always kind of says something about appreciating their hard work.

I think in your situation you shouldn't buy, but your husbands work place sounds different. My OH has SS and then buys (usually mugs) for maybe 5/6 other colleagues

[Yoarchie]

You are OK not to buy I think. However it'd be easier for your dh to just fall into line with stuff at his workplace. You don't like the financial outlay/crappy presents but think of it as an investment in the goodwill of his colleagues. work is easier if you don't get into unnecessary difficulties wuth colleagues.

[pringlecat]

I've spent £50 on Secret Santa and my PA.

Secret Santa is a bit of opt-in fun and the gift for my PA is to thank her for supporting me throughout the year. I think it would definitely be regarded as Scrooge-like to ignore my PA at Christmas and weird for her to buy me a gift in return. What would she be thanking me for? My job involves making her job more complicated; her job involves making my job easier!

I think if you have a PA, you must earn enough to be able to afford a nice little thank you gift once a year.

[RitchyBestingFace]

I will buy something for each of my team (4 people - they are getting a bottle of spirits this year)
I did secret santa (£10)
The other managers & I also put a tenner in for the boss to have some naice wine.
So about £80.

[Sleeperandthespindle]

I join in with team secret santa and also give a thank you gift to my team members. I make it clear that it's a 'thank you', not a Christmas present, and the card reflects this. I sometimes receive a small gift from my managers. I really don't like getting other work presents - two people this year, who I barely see, gave me gifts on the last day, which was a bit awkward!

DH gives presents to his his PA, the team secretaries and his juniors.

[piddleypower]

Yeah its fine for a senior person to buy for a more junior assistant and them not buy back, its a thank you and the senior person can afford more.

We do secret santa to stop all the other random gift buying amongst same level colleagues. This year I have chipped in for our team secretaries, and a leaving gift and a bought a secret santa which totalled £30.