receiving (nice) gifts from co-workers....

[IcyPeas]

I just received a generous gift from one of the associates that I work for. I feel so awkward. I said thank you but was lost for what to say after that. I don't give gifts to anyone I work with.

what do you do? I feel like it's done out of a feeling of obligation around here (law firm) not because they really want to. and that's what I am thinking in the back of my mind when I say thank you.

it is, of course, a nice gesture - I would just rather they didn't do it. and it would feel different if it were a box of candy or cookies or some nice (inexpensive) gesture like that ....


:blush:

[tigereye]

1. one of the ladies who works with me- I do consulting

gave me a lovely shawl. (we have similar taste in clothing, jewelry and music.) I had given her some nice jewelry I had seen last year. I always make food gifts for folks I work for - I really appreciate that they have me working for them.


I think some folks just enjoy giving to others, I would simply say thanks like you did and enjoy. Think of it as a compliment on the work you do!

[NV Whino]

2. Say thank you

and then say in lieu of gifts you give to charities this time of year.

[pitohui]

3. that is awkward

in our case the only time we did this (and it was a large cash gift) was because hubby's co-worker lost her home, parents, and children, in a fire...someone had already set up a bank account where you could put donations, tho, so we knew it would be accepted in the spirit it was meant

otherwise, the rule for co-workers is gag gifts ONLY!!! it isn't really nice to put the obligation to spend more money/do more shopping on a co-worker

i think offices/workplaces should ban expensive gifts outside the exceptional circumstance i just mentioned

i like the other poster's idea of explaining that a gift would be made to charity...it stops future unrealistic gift exchanges even if you didn't head off this one

altho when it comes up that i get an expensive gift i don't expect i usu. just run out and get a good bottle in exchange, what else can you do?