To buy managers Xmas gifts?

12 replies

Lazytakeawaymum · 18/12/2023 19:06

We’ve already done secret Santa in our larger team. Lead Manager brought our smaller team a gift each little chocolate and candles.

I have brought my line manager something as we work alongside each other everyday and she is my senior. I don’t know whether she has brought me something but I have got her a little something.

Do I buy both managers gifts? What is the etiquette around gifts🤣

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Vinoveritass · 18/12/2023 19:07

I think it is managers buy for their team, I don't and never would buy for a manager. In my experience they like to thank their staff and it would feel weird the other way round.

AllEars112232 · 18/12/2023 22:34

In an office gifts should only ever flow down. In other words, you shouldn't be buying any manager a gift.

KrisAkabusi · 18/12/2023 22:35

You don't buy them anything!

DontKaleMyVibe · 18/12/2023 22:37

Definitely weird to buy any managers gifts, unless it's a token gift from the whole team

ChiIIieP · 18/12/2023 23:02

We get a gift from the whole team to the manager every year, whole team though.

thorneyislanddoris · 18/12/2023 23:10

Gifts flow downwards. Managers buy you gifts. You don't buy them gifts.

AHFaemale · 18/12/2023 23:21

No! Never buy your manager a gift. So wrong and awkward.

margotrose · 18/12/2023 23:26

No! Unless it's a whole team gift it's inappropriate.

Mumof2teens79 · 18/12/2023 23:30

My team got me a gift last year, and for my birthday the year before. I was genuinely touched. It was only small but it was really thoughtful. Being a manager can be isolating from the people you work with every day.

The idea of managers buying their teams gifts I find very awkward. I can't really afford to buy all my team something half decent, as much as I would like to.
I can't claim it back from the company and I am certain not all managers do as some have 20 direct reports or more. It's certainly not company policy.
Some of our staff earn more than their managers once you add up overtime etc. And while I have lovely team who I would love to thank....occasionally you get one or more that you really don't want to, but can't single out.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 19/12/2023 00:21

No don’t buy your manager a gift. If you’re doing a little something for the whole team then it’s ok but still not expected.

It’s not awkward for a manager to buy their team a gift. If you’re a manager with a large team then you get them all something small but include a nice personal note.

OracleofAragorn · 19/12/2023 00:36

its upto you @Lazytakeawaymum ill admit it was unusually kind i had someone pay for my basket of shopping, it was very kind but at same time omg too.

Original poster

Lazytakeawaymum · 19/12/2023 10:29

Ok I won’t bring anything with me then! I’m dreading I’m going to turn up and everyone’s brought gifts 🤣

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