What to Gift Your Office Manager

The weather is getting colder by the day, which means that the holiday season is descending upon us quickly. Whether you picked your manager for the gift exchange, or you simply want to thank her for the year of hard work, selecting an office-appropriate present can be challenging. Here are our tips for choosing that perfect office gift.

Why should we give gifts at work in the first place?

According to Entrepreneur, “the end of the year is a great time to show people their value to you and the company.” While your gift doesn’t need to cost a fortune, it should be thoughtful. Giving a gift should demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to think about whoever the recipient is. It can be a simple way to show your appreciation for a year of work well done.

What is an office-appropriate gift?

If you aren’t sure what constitutes as a suitable gift, we recommend asking around to gauge the situation. Try seeking out a colleague who has been around the office for more than one holiday season. From there, you can determine a price range and gather ideas. Don’t be afraid to explicitly ask what is considered appropriate. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.

How do I know how much to spend on an office gift?

Make sure to avoid overspending on whatever it is you choose. It might seem obvious but stay far away from the three-figure range. Any sort of excessive spending may make your manager uncomfortable, so be sure to keep the price affordable for you and appropriate for them.

What are some affordable office gift ideas?

While it’s not easy to figure out what gifts meet all of these specifications, here are a few suggestions to get started. Remember, whatever you do, the key is to tailor it to your specific company’s gift-giving culture and the recipient themselves as much as possible.

• Handmade gifts. Whether you’re trying to minimize spending or want to add a personal touch, homemade treats are always thoughtful and appreciated.
• Work-related items. Does your office manager have a favorite type of pen? Did he recently misplace his favorite stapler? Anything to make your office manager’s work life easier will be happily accepted.
• A desk plant or flowers. Though slightly less personalized, you can’t go wrong with a plant to spruce up a desk or office. And as an added bonus, try to find a succulent or another low maintenance plant so that your gift can last longer with minimal upkeep from the recipient.