Giving xmas presents at work if you're not sure if it's going to be reciprocated?

[NicoAndTheNiners]

Firstly can I say I'm not giving presents with any expectation of receiving anything back.....I'm just worried about potential awkwardness.

Started work a couple of months ago in a small team, I'm the 3rd person. I like the other 2 women, we get on fine but guess we don't really know each other.

I'm seeing them today for the last time before Xmas and have bought small, token presents for them. I just have a slight fear that if they haven't got me anything (which they may well not have done) then they will be embarrassed.

Should I give them anyway and just reassure them that it's fine if they haven't got me anything? Presents are boxes of chocolates and we're meeting out of the office today so I can't even hide them in my desk or handbag and only give them if they have something for me. I'm perfectly fine if they don't have something for me. It's a bloody minefield.....wish we'd just sorted out a secret Santa like normal people! 😁

Eep I wouldn't
Any pleasure they will feel at receiving gifts will be outweighed by the mortifications of not having anything to reciprocate with.
Unless you're the boss, giving Christmas presents to colleagues isn't normal so they won't have anything for you.
Much better to leave a couple of boxes of chocolates open in the communal space for people to help themselves to, as a general Christmas treat.

Can you put them out for you all to share in the office? So not personal gifts but something for the team? I've only bought gifts for workmates if I've been their supervisor or if they are friends as well.

Well the issue is I'm not sure if we've verged into friend territory, we've had a few nights out!

I think I will leave them in my office for today and see what happens. On the off chance they have bought something for me I can always leave their presents at the office for them to get Weds/Thurs.

Could you present them as a 'thank you for helping me settle in' present?

Just give it to them! I’m sure they’ll appreciate it