Do you buy holiday gifts for co-workers?

[AnnaSue]

I was at work on Monday when a co-worker announced that she had bought all of our Christmas gifts over the weekend.:eek: I really had no intention of buying gifts for everyone I work with. I don't have that kind of time or energy (I have yet to buy a single gift for anyone that I DO intend to buy gifts for...) Also, I regularly work with at least 20 people (spending about an equal amount of time with each of them). DH thinks that by announcing that, that she was hoping people will buy stuff for her too. Should I feel like I have to buy her something now? I was planning on maybe baking a bunch of cookies to bring to work for everyone to share, but I wasn't really planning on anything beyond that.

[Canice]

No way, you absolutely should not go out and buy her a gift. It was thoughtful of her to think of her coworkers, but (sorry to sound like a broken record -I know I said this on a similar thread last week) I don't believe in giving to someone solely because they gave to you. To me that is not the spirit of giving -- to give only to "even things up" or to give with the expectation or hope that it will result in your receiving something. Just doesn't sit right with me at all. Or did you notice? ;)

[phantomcg]

Go ahead with your plan to make some cookies for the office to share. I don't think that you need to buy anything. A homemade (and heartfelt) group gift is much better than something bought because you feel obligated to buy.

I know that it's sometimes difficult to accept a gift from someone that you haven't bought something for, but to accept it gracefully is a gift in and of itself. Stay true to yourself and your original plans - don't buy out of guilty, that really won't benefit anyone.

Cheryl

[imloulou]

I agree...make cookies (if you even have time to do that) Usually offices talk in advance about a swap, gifts, etc.

Also, she actually may be giving things not expecting anything in return! She may have some extra $ this year and decided she would spend it on you guys. So be appreciative but do NOT feel guilty!!!!!

Never make gift buying a pressure. There is a sense of excitement..."gotta get it in the mail to my family half across the country" kinda feeling (that is in no way a burden) gift giving and then there are the gifts you wish you did not have (I had none of those this year:) )

Let us know what happens!!!!

[JanetJ]

I agree. Don't feel like you have to buy her something based on her announcement. Making cookies for the office is very thoughtful and personal and I'm sure it would be much appreciated.

To answer your question in the title of your thread, I give individual tins of homemade cookies to each of my employees with a card. We had an office Secret Santa exchange with a $10 limit also.

[vbak]

No, don't buy her anything. The annoucement that she bought gifts was a guilt move. Cookies to share are great.

I am a teacher and I do buy for quite a few people on the support staff who have been so helpful throughout the year. They are small gifts for the secretaries[2], the nurse[she has been monitoring my pressure] the custodian whe takes care of my room, my para, who is sometimes my right and left hand, my mind, too ,when I lose it, and a donation for our principal's gift. I don't spend much money on these gifts, except for my para because of the above reasons. I am rambling. Take the cookies.

Vicky