Sandygirl

Agree...food drives, Toys for Tots etc. I don’t “work” to add gift giving to co-workers to my list of things to do. Be the one who has the nerve to speak up. I recall some do-gooder Running around the office collecting $$$ for the bosses’ gift of Waterford crystal. I declined and mentioned that I did not own Waterford much less collect it. No, I was not fired over it either.

Sandygirl

She probably did not tip either. Do not go to a restaurant with that person either. Lol!

Nanny's dollface

Christmas and holiday time can be stressful without adding additional obligations of buying gifts for office staff especially if there are 20+ in various levels of the company. Rather than wait for someone to suggest a secret Santa or some other gift buying event, I suggested to do a “worst gift” yankee swap. Some call the yankee swap a white elephant . In any event, one can not buy a gift but bring in a wrapped RE- gift. The only restriction was that it could not be an “adult toy” or something that might cause harassment. . We all had a blast. There were nightcrackers that had seen better days, a 2 Foot martini glass, 5 year old fruit cake that had been kept in a freezer, a leopard scarf, etc.

luvstoquilt

I am with you Sandygirl! If you don’t tip the wait staff, stay home. I have stopped participating in gift exchanges And also gifts from friends who are far away. Since we haven’t seen each other in years those gifts became much harder to find, purchase and mail. Our family gives to favorite charities for Christmas though we still give gifts to the children. We enjoy our time together so much more than when we came with a car loaded with packages that likely ended up at The local thrift store. In the past we have adopted families and that was really a great experience.

sewbizgirl

At my age I have pretty much everything I need... which is why I don't do the Secret Santa swap. Most of it would end up donated.

Food tables can be a source of inequality and stress, too. The last time I worked for David's Bridal (alterations), we would be required to bring food for whatever "party" the boss deemed necessary (including her birthday.) A couple of greedy people would be filling up plates to take home, before everyone else had even gotten anything to eat. I guess it all depends on what kind of people you work with.

toverly

Hated those work gift exchanges. I love the idea of having a food or toy drive and everyone forming a collective gift. That's a great suggestion. My Bee does a gift exchange for those who want to participate. Limit is $20, doesn't need to be quilted or handmade. When it comes to exchanging, we do that story where everyone sits in a circle and the story tells you to pass left and pass right, so no one has any idea who will end up with who's gift. I think that is pretty fair.

HettyB

I don't like them because I think it puts extra pressure on people. If you don't participate for whatever reason, most likely you will be considered a kill-joy. And for some people even a £5 Secret Santa gift exchange is too much for their budget.

HettyB

klswift

I completely understand what you are saying. And, it is difficult to say anything without seeming like an ogre. I work with several organizations and donate to several causes, but, I do not like feeling like I am being 'forced' to contribute. One of the groups I belong to has solved this with putting out a donation box. They have put up a sign with what the cause is and a suggestion of items to put in. Then anyone can donate. We actually have 2 boxes - one is for small toys for children and the other is for the shelter so it requests toiletries, socks, gloves, scarves, etc. Then no one feels that others are 'judging' them.

osewme

The gals in the office exchanged gifts at my former place of work & it got to be to expensive for me. Even though we limited our gifts to $10 per person by the time I bought the 7 gifts & gave a little something to President & Vice President & made goodies for the kitchen, I found myself spending more on them at work than on my own family. I'm not there anymore but hope that tradition has changed since I've left.

HettyB

Staff shouldn't really give gifts to C Suite execs. Just "Ask a Manager".