All opinions are mine and mine alone.
Starting a new job can be tough, but starting a new job near the holiday season? That’s beyond tough.
Never mind the new workload or the commute, all of a sudden you have multiple strangers that you have to buy gifts for. You could easily go down the simple way of “forgetting” or getting a box of chocolates for the office to share, but does that make it easier to label you the office Scrooge within your first few months at the company? I would say “no”, but there’s almost definitely people who would disagree with me. But what can you do if you’ve recently moved job and Christmas is right around the corner? I know what you’re thinking – “I’m not family, I don’t want to get too close to my colleagues, I’m just here to work!” – don’t worry, this article is not about getting close at all. It’s about how you can acknowledge the holiday season while still keeping your distance.
Food and Drink
Food and drink is also a great gift idea. Again, it’s thoughtful, and it’s easy to get. Think about it – when you go to a Christmas party, the host generally offers food and drink – even if they’re not catering it. And if they are, they’re probably doing some type of buffet style. So, instead of buying them a gift card, why not get them a bottle of wine, or a food hamper? It’s a great gift because it’s not too much, and it’s something the person can drink or eat whenever, wherever.
Food is a great gift – it’s often said to be the way to someone’s heart. If you’re not sure what they like, you can focus on food that they can share with the rest of the office. For example, maybe you get them a cake, or cookies, or something along those lines. This is also great for colleagues who you know outside of work, such as your immediate boss or your direct manager.
I know what you’re probably thinking – “That’s great, but what am I supposed to do if I don’t know what they like?” The best thing to do is to pick something that doesn’t require too much thought. For example, if you’re buying for your direct manager, you can probably figure out what they like based on what you know about them. If you’re not sure, you can always go with a gift card or unique chocolate Christmas gifts.
Remember, you don’t have to get too personal with your colleagues – at least not yet.
Gifting
We’ve all been there – you’ve been working for a company for a while, and you want to do something nice, but you don’t really know what to do. What do you get for the person who seems to have everything? Do you get them a gift? Do you get them a gift card? Or do you just not get them anything? The thing is, it’s okay to get a colleague a gift in a new job – just don’t go overboard. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to be at a distance in the office. When it comes to gift-giving, I advise that you stick to a gift card, or a gift that’s inexpensive, and doesn’t show too much thought.
For example, a gift card to a local coffee shop, or a gift card to a restaurant. This way, your gift-giver can pick something out that they like, and it doesn’t feel like you’ve missed the mark and got them a gift that they don’t like or won’t use. This is perfect if the office is doing Secret Santa. This gift card idea can also work for colleagues who you’re seeing outside of work, such as your immediate boss, or your direct manager. Generally speaking, gift cards are a great gift because they’re thoughtful, and they’re also easy to get.
Don’t Overdo It
When it comes to the holidays, you don’t want to overdo it. It’s okay to show that you care, but it’s also okay to say no to gifts, or to not go overboard. You don’t have to go out of your way to show that you care. For example, if your boss invites you to dinner, it’s okay to say no. You could say that you have plans that night, or that you have plans for the weekend, or something. Don’t forget you don’t have to go overboard, just because you’re not family. It’s okay to be distant, but it’s also okay to show that you care. After all, you’re a colleague, and you have to get along.
Closing Remarks
So, with all of this in mind, remember that you’re not family. You don’t need to overdo it and show that you care, but it’s okay to show that you want to get along with your colleagues. This is especially important if you’re new to a company, and you’re trying to build a good reputation. Either way, food or a gift card are good options to keep in mind.
Remember, the holidays are a great way to get to know your colleagues better, and to get to know your company more. Try to have a good time, and remember that it’s okay to enjoy yourself. You’re not family, but you can have a good time.
Also, never forget that the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach!
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