Small presents for colleagues

[Wheelskeepturning]

Ive recently started a new job so don't know the etiquette around presents for colleagues (I have asked but everyone seems to give a different answer!)

I don't want to be caught with nothing if I'm given a gift so I'm looking for something a bit different (ie not candles, chocolate or hand cream) for women aged between 20s-60s. Looking at about £5.

Anyone have any inspiration please?

I did do this a few years ago when I started a few job and had had such good support from the small team. I got a handmade decoration from Etsy, a small box of Lindt balls from the £1 shop and a travel size body shop toiletry all in a gift bag - total cost about £25 for 3 gifts. I wouldn’t do it on a normal year

I would get a multipack of cocktails in cans (or nice tea or mixers if you want to avoid alcohol), a multipack of Tony's chocolate (small bars) and some sheet masks (Boots often has a deal on Simple masks which are fine even for sensitive skin) and fill little paper gift bags. That gives each person a mini pre-party pamper session, but also leaves you with things you can happily use yourself if they don't exchange gifts

Cute ornaments
Nice stationery or desk pad calendars, something like that

It's honestly tricky, because candles and chocolates would be the default option in this setting.

I would want to find out for definite before buying presents for work colleagues. It’s uncomfortable when someone buys you something and you haven’t reciprocated.

This, take nice biscuits or chocolates & you’ll
be fine

You hardly know them so just try and make it fun: do a lucky dip so everyone has something wrapped, they can do swaps if they like or regift or put in a raffle. Show willing but don't stress about it.

A couple of years ago I bought gifts for my team because it was genuinely the best team I’d ever worked in, and the first time I had ever felt really accepted and included. I tried to personalise my gifts to the individual - I think I got bullshit bingo coasters for 2 people that liked to play that on calls, my manager I thought a book called HR approved ways how to tell people they’re stupid, an anti stress dice for another colleague, an office games did team building book for the other manager in our team, am “I’m here to help - only joking fuck off” coaster, that kind of thing! I can’t remember the other items.

In my 21 years working here though we’ve never done colleague gifts beyond managers buying for their team, or secret Santa between colleagues.

everyone on here will convince you that you are mad for even considering it OP but in EVERY workplace I have ever worked, little gifts have been swapped

Today for eg , a colleague has sent round cookies in little polythene packets
I have cards with malteser reindeers stuck on to give out- another colleague has given everyone a bulb in a pot all done in her garden

I don’t buy colleagues anything. A secret Santa maybe but that’s it

Are you going to go in with a bag of gifts and only give them out if people have got a gift for you? Are you going to take them home again if there aren’t any gifts?

I have only worked in one office where I went in on Christmas Eve and everyone had left a Christmas gift on my desk, nobody had said anything about it to me and I was so embarrassed I hadn’t got them anything BUT they never told me so how was I supposed to know? ! I spent double them following year to make up for it.

Can you not ask a few questions and try to find out?

You need to know if people drink alcohol & if there are workplace rules, whether people are vegan & if they have skin allergies.

Everywhere I’ve worked at we just do a secret Santa.

Another secondary school employee here, we usually swap small gifts in my department. Hand cream/prosecco /chocolate/Christmas socks/cocktail cans... That sort of thing. I've got a nice Christmas tree ornament for everyone this year, and some chocolate.

I have never heard of this. You could end up making other people uncomfortable if they've not got you anything.
What are the different answers being given-
Do you do christmas gifts for each other?

The answer is either yes or no

One company I worked at did secret santa for those that wanted to with a £10 limit. Every other job, at most we might swap cards. I'd be worried that you buy things, then it puts pressure on everyone else to do the same. Some ideas but really depends how close they are and their interests:

-Costa voucher
-Amaryllis bulb
-scarf
-Luxury hot chocolate
-Scratch card inside a Christmas card