Comments on: The Best Office Holiday Gift Idea Ever!

By: Aphrodite

Aphrodite — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 00:11:05 +0000

My supervisor actually offered to do that once but I was so humiliated at having to explain why I wouldn’t be attending the office party it just made it much worse for me. I wish they had done nothing at all.

And I’m really not a Scrooge. I am madly in love with the holidays. I just feel they are personal and want nothing to do with them in the office.

By the way, Happy Thanksgiving!

By: Evil HR Lady

Evil HR Lady — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 08:55:29 +0000

In reply to Aphrodite.

You are free to be a Scrooge! No one should ever be forced to participate in a ” fun” activity.

Some people don’t have room in their budget, some people don’t like parties, and some people’s religion prohibits their participation in any holiday celebration.

I’m totally good with someone not participating. However, if an employee came to me and said, “I’d really love to participate but my budget is just too tight,” I’d probably hand her $20.

By: Aphrodite

Aphrodite — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 01:23:03 +0000

I am going to be in the minority here but I dislike the idea, and I also dislike choosing a family or charity. Here’s a fact for me: I do not buy gifts, nor do I want to have to buy them for any office event regardless of who the final recipient is. My budget is do-able but that is because I do not spend money unnecessarily. I love gifting my few best friends and a very few family members. I am not, however, giving to anyone else except a couple of rescue cat shelters. If that makes me a Scrooge then so be it. But if someone proposed either of these ideas, I wouldn’t think it good. I would firmly decline with no hesitation at all. No one gets to spend my money or say how it will be spent. And “deserving” doesn’t guilt me at all.

By: Elizabeth West

Elizabeth West — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 19:22:00 +0000

In reply to Maria Rose. I like this much better. People can participate or not, and there isn't any forced socialization around the holiday (not everyone celebrates Christmas; do we really have to have this conversation yet again?). As for giving your employees anything, a little extra money or paid time off is always good. I don't need a turkey or branded company junk.

By: Maria Rose

Maria Rose — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:42:59 +0000

Better version of this, put up a wish list from a local charity ( each wish hung separate) limit list by those who wish to participate and these individuals will get to play Secret Santa to a person in need who will appreciate gift. Plus those of us, Scrooges (sorry) don’t have to particiapte and be made to feel bad.
(Sorry Christmas time was spoiled for me by life circumstances, but giving to needy never goes out of season)

By: Evil HR Lady

Evil HR Lady — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:31:48 +0000

In reply to David. Sigh.

By: David

David — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:19:32 +0000

This is a great idea. I used to be part of a team that did a gift exchange every year, and it got to the point that nobody really enjoyed it, but it was a tradition so it wasn’t going to stop. Apparently a number of people voiced their opinion that it was time to change it up, with someone even suggesting that they make a collective donation to a charity instead of spending their money on what will ultimately be gifts that go unused. To show that no good deed goes unpunished, they honestly couldn’t agree on a charity, claiming every one of them that came up had a mission at least one person on the team wouldn’t be able to support. I would guess toys for poor kids at Christmas would be innocuous enough, but who know. Needless to say, I won’t be forwarding this to my friend/manager of that team as a suggestion.

By: Evil HR Lady

Evil HR Lady — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 14:48:41 +0000

In reply to Donae. I know, that's why I had to re post it. I posted it way too late in the holiday season last year. I didn't think of it, but it needs to get out there!

By: Donae

Donae — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 14:47:36 +0000

This is a WONDERFUL idea!!