Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: My Baby Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > Working Moms

Sort:
12-21-2012 at 12:07 PM
Jenny952
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-18-2010
Minneapolis
3,747 Posts
13,901 Points
Jenny952 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 12:42 PMSilver

co-worker Christmas gifts

I've been in meetings all day for last 2 days, and I just got back to my desk today to find about 5 different gifts/cards from co-workers.  It was really sweet, but I didn't expect it and I didn't do anything in return.  Now I feel like an a$$.  What should I do?  Is it typical to do things for your co-workers for Christmas?
Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 12:14 PM
bethann318...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-28-2006
Philadelphia Area, PA
644 Posts
1,031 Points
bethann3181 is not online. Last active: 04-24-2013, 3:38 PMBronze
I am always this person at work.  Don't feel like an a*s - just go to each one and genuinely thank them and wish them a happy holiday. 
Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 12:50 PM
jf198400
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-29-2008
2,437 Posts
9,225 Points
jf198400 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 10:38 PMSilver

At my last job we did not exchange gifts.  I just started a new job begining on November.  On Wednesday my group had a little Christmas party- cookies, cupcakes, hot chocolate.  One of my coworkers gave out little gifts to everyone, even me.  So I then brought in cards and little $5 boxes of chocolate for everyone yesterday.  Today my boss's boss came around with boxes of chocolate for all of us, and another coworker gave out little gifts- lottery tickets.  I think it is fairly typical to do something with co-workers, but small nothing big.

If I were you, I might give out cards and something small (like candy) or bring in a box of donuts for the group on your next work day.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 12:53 PM
rubber_chi...
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-07-2004
1,024 Posts
6,183 Points
rubber_chicken is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 3:23 PMBronze
jf198400:

At my last job we did not exchange gifts.  I just started a new job begining on November.  On Wednesday my group had a little Christmas party- cookies, cupcakes, hot chocolate.  One of my coworkers gave out little gifts to everyone, even me.  So I then brought in cards and little $5 boxes of chocolate for everyone yesterday.  Today my boss's boss came around with boxes of chocolate for all of us, and another coworker gave out little gifts- lottery tickets.  I think it is fairly typical to do something with co-workers, but small nothing big.

If I were you, I might give out cards and something small (like candy) or bring in a box of donuts for the group on your next work day.

 

And this is why I hate exchanging gifts like this.  Basically everyone went out and bought $5 gifts -- that adds up a good amount of money -- for a bunch of crap no one needs.  I'd rather everyone just kept their money and shared a box of cupcakes or bottle of rum. 

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 1:15 PM
Netty_3
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-14-2011
1,834 Posts
17,467 Points
Netty_3 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 4:43 PMBronze

I don't think you are.

I bring in cookies for everyone on our floor...I just put them in the breakroom and people can eat them at their leisure...it's not personalized. Just say thank you to them.

AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers Anniversary 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 1:19 PM
MoreThanAB...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-24-2007
Colorado
1,317 Posts
8,213 Points
MoreThanABride is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 8:30 PMBronze
I don't think you need to do anything other than thank them.

BFP 11/09 - DD 7/10 - BFP 8/11 - M/C 9/11 - BFP 6/12 - DD - 2/13

 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 1:50 PM
lasposa425
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-20-2004
Detroit
4,170 Posts
26,224 Points
lasposa425 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 3:48 PMSilver
MoreThanABride:
I don't think you need to do anything other than thank them.
this. Don't worry about it.
Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 3:32 PM
TnArichmon...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-22-2012
1,058 Posts
21,110 Points
TnArichmond is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 10:52 AMBronze
My office does a cookie exchange, and also Secret Santa (not mandatory) so that you only buy and receive one gift, if you choose to participate.
Baby girl making her Vday decorations <3 BabyFruit Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 3:45 PM
Strunella
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-02-2007
New Jersey
6,978 Posts
13,388 Points
Strunella is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 9:02 PMGold

I never exchanged gifts or cards with co-workers, so I was rather surprised to see that at my new job, it's kind of the norm.  On Monday, I had lots of little gifts/cards on my desk and I was not prepared for that at all.  I went to the bakery and bought a Christmas cookie for everyone and wrapped it up in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon and a cute tag I made. 

Baby G in the grass photo 1a00e88c-4be2-49db-8abc-050122c3004e_zpsfdfd592a.jpg Lilypie Third Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 5:24 PM
katieh1017
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-20-2011
6,567 Posts
43,725 Points
katieh1017 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 7:50 PMGold

Don't feel bad. Just like PP's said, just thank them. And if it's really bothering you bring in bagels or donuts or something in the new year for everyone to share. 

Thinking back, every employer I have worked at we all did some sort of holiday exchange. It was always organized by someone. Whether it was picking names/secret Santa, white elephant etc. I like doing that.  
Lilypie Second Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-22-2012 at 9:42 AM
Pesky
Top 75 Contributor
Joined on 02-23-2007
Colorado
23,048 Posts
7,793 Points
Pesky is not online. Last active: 05-09-2013, 9:01 PMPlatinum
I don't!  the one thing I do is bake and give some goodies to select folks.  Trust me, I'm the same way.  I vastly prefer not to get gifts from CWs so I have less to buy for.  I also keep at home an emergency stash of bags of lindt truffles or little see's candy for just this reason.



DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-23-2012 at 9:35 AM
cindybaf
Not Ranked
Joined on 03-02-2005
chicago
5,944 Posts
5,759 Points
cindybaf is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 11:29 AMSilver
People that assist me directly always get a gift. My office manager always gets a gift. My one female boss gets a gift. I get gifts from these people too. If you don't want to spend much money then get them a chocolate bar or cute mug with hot chocolate packets. It's the thought that counts. If you are not interested in gift giving at all then just thank them and next year they may take the hint and not get you anything.
Left tube lost due to Ectopic Pregnancy 7/2007
Miscarriage at five wks 10/12/2009
Dx: LPD and PCOS
BFP 2/5/10 Our little baby baf born 9/29/10
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

most active posters
sunlavende...
981 posts
BayleighPa...
952 posts
linzeek44
632 posts
minicheezb...
417 posts
Nest Cayla
382 posts
sheacox
369 posts
NotElsie
237 posts
*Mrs*Rohrb...
232 posts
Love4Labs3...
203 posts
jertie
108 posts

connect with these online bumpies
mnbv9502! LTC09
CarolineEmma TLiggy
CnAmom TobeMrs.Shavers
missyishere macbee923
airsica katiewvb
SkylerBrooke11 Agent Cooper
MichelleLuvsSam Shandan24
jodegaard AprilRaine
ginabina11 Dana86
mmkoop breezalina82
BeaF12 robynloureed
daffy2k skooz
Justtee33 VeraBby
headgear03 NatKingBaby
ShellyR2010 eaogle
From The Nest Boards:
"Finding couple friends?"
marinomelissa on Relationships

"Favorite pumpkin recipes?"
laurasr1984 on What's Cooking?