Giving gifts to colleagues?

[Pitor]

I am considering to buy a (small) gift for each one of my colleagues for Christmas / New Year. Just as a fun thing to do. Wouldn't be very expensive gifts, more like 10 dollar each. However, I am wondering if this would not be seen as weird?

We are doing a secret Santa anyway; but I would buy another gift for each of my colleagues just to make it a bit more fun. It would set me back about 100 dollar (which isn't an issue), but I wonder how my colleagues would perceive this. Would they think it's just strange or think there is something up (perhaps think I have ulterior motives)?

What is your opinion, how would you react if you got a gift from a co-worker like this?

[Bitter_Sweet94]

Giving small gifts to coworkers isn’t weird, as long as the gesture feels light and not overly sentimental.

People usually take it as a friendly, festive move.

Where it can get awkward is if the gifts feel too personal, too expensive, or if it looks like you’re trying to impress someone specific.

But a simple, equal gift for everyone around $10? Most people just smile, say thank you, and move on.

If I got one, I’d think you’re just someone who enjoys making the atmosphere warm during the holidays.

Nothing more, nothing suspicious.

Just keep it casual and balanced, and it’ll land fine.

[Pitor]

The gifts would of course be a bit personal, I mean, I would give a gift specific for each person, I know what they like (and what not); but it wouldn't be too 'weird' as in really too personal.

[Bitter_Sweet94]

Personalized is still fine as long as it stays light.

Matching each gift to what they like actually makes it feel thoughtful, not romantic or over the top.

The line only gets blurry if the gifts start to feel intimate or uneven one person getting something “special,” while others get something basic.

If everything is equal in effort and price, people will just see you as considerate, not crossing boundaries.

So personal is okay.

Too intimate is not.

Just stay in the middle, and you’re good.

[Shehnaz]

That's a good idea of you want to satisfy your own heart and to feel you did a kind gesture, although it would be appreciated by all who receive them however you can expect them to either forget this act too soon or to not reciprocate the same way and above all when your time comes they won't remember it. If you still want to proceed, All the best.

[Pitor]

I absolutely do not expect anything in return. It would just be a kind gesture and to set the mood a bit more; to give them a small piece of joy.

[Shehnaz]

Absolutely, go ahead with the idea because you are the kind of person who finds happiness by giving happiness to others. Very few of your kind exist though.

[AngryCarl2]

Why in the f*** would you want to do a thing like that? Are you expecting them to reciprocate?

[Pitor]

No not at all! Just for fun.

[AngryCarl2]

You seem to be confusing fun with work. It's all a bit odd if you ask me.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Maybe if you included a card with it. I often like to get my coworkers valentine’s cards, the cheap ones that are sold by the dozens, and give them a bit of candy with it. A harmless gift that shows appreciation.

[Anonymous]

Hmm no. Don’t spend too much money on colleagues. You don’t know who secretly hates you. Personally, I only get an actual gift with whom I have a good rapport. Anyway, that’s me. Do whatever you want. 😊

[Pitor]

I hope nobody hates me, but I get your point lol. The money part, yeah, I understand that, I wouldn't spend too much money in general, but it's a small thing to do now.

[Abbycado]

I don’t see a problem with that given a simple holiday greeting card costs what it does.

[Pitor]

Yeah, it would not be a holiday greeting card, but really more like a real gift (based on what I know regarding what they like, eg for one of the colleagues I would give her a book I know she would like have).

[Abbycado]

I’m just comparing a $10 gift as not a big deal given how much even a greeting card costs. The two are almost comparable.

[Anonymous]

My secret santa last year at work gave me a very large vibrating dildo. I would have taken the matter to hr but I got drunk and used it.

[Pitor]

Yeah, but that's a rather weird thing to do and I have definitely no plans to do such a thing

[Anonymous]

It's ok if it's their birthday.

[Pitor]

No it's not.

[Pitor]

I mean: no, it's not their birthday.

[Opinion Owner]

Oh, I see, well, it's ok for New Years too, or Christmas if they celebrate it.