Gift-Giving Etiquette

The holidays are a time of goodwill and expressing appreciation for others, but there is always the chance of an awkward moment when you receive a gift but have nothing to give in return. There are rules of etiquette for gift giving, but everyone's interpretation of these unwritten rules is different. To avoid embarrassing moments, here's a brief guide to holiday giving.

Exchanging gifts is common during the holidays, but it is not always mandatory. In many cases, Many people give gifts without expecting anything in return. In many cases, a gift is simply a thoughtful gesture, for example, a guest might give a host of a holiday party a box of homemade cookies or a hand-knit scarf. However, if you would rather always exchange gifts, keep a small assortment of generic ready-to-go gifts on hand. These items could include holiday ornaments, chocolates or other sweets and scented candles.

Some feel compelled to give a gift equal in value to a gift received. However, the value is not easy to assess, and few people are concerned with the monetary value of a gift. The thought that goes along with the gift is typically more meaningful. When giving gifts, you should aim to spend an amount that you are comfortable with, not one that you assume another person is spending.

Spending excessive amounts on a gift may make the receiver feel uncomfortable. Depending upon your relationship with the recipient, you may feel inclined to explain that you got a good deal on their gift (perhaps you got a gift card at a discount) to ease their concern. Similarly, assessing the value of a gift you have received is relegating the act of gift giving to material gain, which is not what the holidays or gift giving represent.

Truthfully, if you have given some thought into what type of gift the recipient would like, the price tag is irrelevant.

Not all cultures celebrate the holiday season in the same way. Make sure you understand the traditions and norms of anyone who you plan to give a gift to so that you do not offend or embarrass them. For example, it is a cultural norm in North America to publicly unwrap a gift when it is received. However, in many cultures such as those of Asia or South America, the proper etiquette is for the receiver to wait until they are in private to open a gift.

Have you ever given a gift once and felt that the tradition had to continue indefinitely? You may wish to consider this before beginning a new gift-giving tradition. Some traditions, once begun, are hard to end.

Another common gift-giving conundrum is whether to give a gift to everyone within a particular group or segment of your life if you give a gift to one person within that group. For example, you may give someone you frequently have lunch with at work a gift and wonder whether you should do the same for the whole office. A general rule is that you should only give a gift to those you feel inclined to, but you should do so discretely so that you do not make others feel excluded. In the case of the lunch companion, give the gift when the two of you are alone rather than in front of other colleagues.

If you receive a gift, even if you don't give one in return, always show your appreciation and regardless of whether you like the gift or not. If you are presented with the gift in person, smile and thank the gift giver. If you receive a gift by mail, call the gift giver as soon as you can to alert them that the gift has arrived. You should also send hand-written thank-you notes whenever possible.

When invited to someone's home during the holidays, it is good etiquette to bring a token of appreciation in exchange for the invite. These gifts should not be extravagant or overly personalized. Often a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, flowers or another holiday-themed gift will suffice.

Giving gifts in the workplace can be awkward for many reasons, not just those noted above. When giving corporate gifts, be aware that sending out gifts with loud corporate logos can appear tacky.  Additionally, depending upon your workplace, you may receive tax benefits from gift giving. This can include gifts that come in the form of charitable donations. Many countries allow some tax write-offs from corporate gifts depending on your industry and the nature of your work.

What we give as gifts and how we receive them says a lot about us as individuals. It is inevitable that there will be an awkward moment during the holiday season, but most people understand the experience. Bear in mind that many people simply give gifts to show appreciation, and a simple thank-you in return is all that is required. You may be concerned because you are short of funds this holiday season and unable to buy as many gifts as you would like. If this is the case, explain to friends and family that you will not be able to buy extravagant of gifts this year. Those closest to you are bound to understand, and they might even feel relief because the expectations surrounding mutual gift giving are lowered.