At work I just give cards, not presents. In a call center with 300+ employees, that’s just a slippery slope you don’t want to get on! (i.e. if you give that person a gift, you also have to give that other person one – and then you’ll have to give the whole team….and….)
i have only two others in my unit right now (a third is out on maternity leave) and so i am debating whether or not to give gift to my boss. i am giving my two coworkers each a tin with some christmas chocolates, some packets of hot chocolate mix, and some homemade cookies inside, all festively displayed and nestled in the tin. am wondering if i should do one for the boss. most people don’t usually give to the boss.
I’d say go for it! Like you said, people don’t often include the boss, so she/he might appreciate it all the more. I know I’ve been given presents from team’s I’ve managed and they’re possibly the ones I’ve appreciated the most from anyone at work.
I’m the boss, my employee better buy me something nice! :) Oh wait, I’m the employee. Nope, not buying the boss a thing!! :)
When I did work in a corporate office, I always bought my boss a gift – but he really was more of a mentor and helped me get started in the business that I am in. We are still friends and our families get together a couple times a year.
I was going to, but it would be a hand made gift for his daughter and I think I’m too late to start one now, so we’ll have to go for next year.
Edit: yes I did mean my direct supervisor, my manger, who is my boss. Not the boss of the company. Although it’d be funny to see Sam Palmisano being sent thousands and thousands of dinky Christmas gifts!
Etiquette does not require it (some might suggest it opposes it) so ultimately it depends on your relationship with the boss. If he/she were not your boss, would the two of you still befriends?