Among friends, a bad gift is a funny story. Among coworkers, you see it every day. These rules are for taking part in an office exchange without anyone feeling awkward afterwards.
Four rules for taking part
Stay within the budget
Stick to the limit even if you could spend more. A gift that costs far more than the rest embarrasses the recipient and anyone who stayed within budget. If the limit is a range, like “between a coffee and a lunch”, stay inside it.
Keep gifts neutral
For a coworker, neutral works best: something for the desk, good coffee or tea, a book related to something they've mentioned. Avoid clothing, perfume and anything that could read as personal. If they left hints, use them.
After gift day, be discreet
After gift day, what each person gave is their business. Don't comment around the office on who spent little or who got it right, and don't ask the organizer who gave to you: in Cuchumbo they don't know either.
On gift day
If someone asks “was it you?” on gift day, smile and don't answer until it's your turn. And match your thanks to the gift: in public for a gift meant to make people laugh, in private for something clearly chosen just for you.
Set up your team's exchange
Create the exchange, put the budget range in the notes and share the link. Each person sees their result privately, and nobody, not even the organizer, sees the full list.
