It was the first Monday of December and someone left a mug on a colleague's desk with a joke about Mondays. Half the team laughed, one person didn't get it, and the colleague who had just come back from a rough week spent the morning wondering if it was about them.
At the office, the audience is always bigger than the recipient. At the office, useful beats clever, edible beats personal and quiet beats loud.
A gift that helps their workday works better than a joke only part of the team gets.
Safe ideas for the office
Something that improves the desk
A good pen, a mouse pad, a cable organizer, a small plant. They're useful, they stay on the desk and nobody feels awkward opening them.
Something edible from a place they mentioned
If they've ever mentioned a bakery, a coffee or a product they like, buy it there. It shows you listened, and food can be shared.
A small, classic accessory
A card holder, a good umbrella, a neutral-colored scarf. Something classic and well made avoids the risk of misjudging their style.
A book tied to their work or a hobby they mentioned
If they've talked about running, gardening or a period of history, give them a book on it. Skip self-help: at the office it can look like advice nobody asked for.
What to avoid
Avoid alcohol unless you know the company's policy, perfume and personal care products, jokes only one person gets, and anything with the company logo.
Set up the office Secret Santa
Cuchumbo runs the draw privately and gives each participant their own page. The organizer doesn't see who got whom.
