Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of Tums! Isn’t that what Christmas shopping sometimes becomes? Crowds to avoid, internet sell outs, kids asking for more than you can afford…you know, welcome to our favorite season!
In the workplace, celebrating Christmas can become something like a Tim Burton bit for The Nightmare Before Christmas. That’s because many employers dread the thought of giving any obligatory gift or bonus. Second, it can be nightmarish in the way these items are presented. Thirdly, most employees expect more or better than what they receive. Aside from those things, employer Christmas gifting is a beautiful practice.
So here’s a little help. Let’s start with a list compiled just a decade ago featuring eight of the worst office Christmas gifts ever. Right off the bat, we learn that Consumer Reports found that around 30% of people agree that coworkers and bosses gift the worst holiday gifts. Not a good start.
Here are several of the not-recommended items for the workplace you should avoid:
- A self-help (or how to do your job better) book. I laughed out loud when the question was posed, “If you draw your boss’s name, would you ever think about giving him a book entitled Management for Dummies?” So, bosses—self improvement books are NOT a good gifting idea.
- Toiletries or beauty products. On the restricted list is “perfume, deodorant, or any other hygiene product…anything that could insinuate that he or she smells bad or looks bad in any way.” Duh. Gift cards to Bath & Body Works? Maybe.
- A Bible or religious gifts. Unless, of course, you work in a “religious” organization. A woman with a very religious boss handed out books that offered “answers to all the big questions in life” and one that explained “why other religions are wrong.” Religious trinkets or “kitsch” should be avoided. And no need to send a note saying, “I’ll be praying for you this Christmas and in 2026” as your “gift.”
- Anything marijuana-related. We all know that several states now have legalized selling marijuana—including Illinois. Doesn’t matter. Make sure it’s not YOUR business practice to hand it out.
- A 10% off coupon…or any other coupon. Even Kohl’s cash has expiration issues and looks cheap. You know why? It IS cheap!
Apart from this list comes a popular item considered a “no-no.” Lottery tickets! As a New York Times article explained,
“Lottery tickets are nice, boss, but I could really use my bonus instead.”
Ya think?
Let’s face the facts. Giving Lotto tickets may seem like a way to generously bless an employee IF they win. Trouble is, in most cases—they don’t. Give them the money and let them gamble away their future if they choose.
Speaking of bonuses, in March of 2018 United Airlines tried replacing a quarterly bonus program with a lottery. The plan fell apart after significant employee backlash. The original bonus gave employees up to $300 per quarter for meeting performance goals. With the lottery, winners would have been awarded large prizes. Could be $100,000 in cash. A car (Mercedes) or a vacation package.
Of course, most employees would win nothing. United kissed that idea goodbye!
One other caution: the practice of “Secret Santa.” These and other coworker gift exchanges should be given careful consideration. Some coworkers have given something completely inappropriate, something insinuating a very wrong message. If your business goes down this road, better advise what NOT to give.
Financial author Dave Ramsey has often created remarkable ways to “bless” employees at Christmas time. His company, Ramsey Solutions, holds banquets and passes out gifts to all of his employees. One year during COVID, he still held the in-person affair that drew criticism. But not from the employees!
No matter what gifts you receive or exchange this Christmas, the Christ child has surpassed any and all gifts by offering Himself as a sacrifice for your sins. Its value cannot be captured in words.
The apostle Paul concludes his second letter to the Corinthians with this short but powerful statement (2 Corinthians 9:15):
“Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (NLT)
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (NASB)
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (ESV)
Believe it. Receive it. Share it.
