Holiday gift-giving at work: 5 ways to get it right By Anne Fisher

You might find that standard practice at your company is for teams or departments to chip in on one gift for the boss, which Oliver says is a widespread tradition that costs each person some small amount of cash and keeps coworkers from one-upping each other. (It also precludes the appearance of, as you say, kissing up). But if that isn't how they do it at your company, Oliver offers five suggestions for blunder-free gift-giving -- whether to your boss or to anyone else. 1. Don't overspend. "The rule of thumb for office gifts is that they be inexpensive," says Oliver. "It's poor etiquette to spend, say, $50 on a silk scarf for a coworker, because chances are she'll have bought you a little box of candy and be embarrassed." Oliver recommends keeping each gift at a $20 limit: "Think about a gift card, a cookbook, a bottle of wine, a gourmet food item, a potted flower, or a two-drink voucher at a local watering hole." 2. Thoughtfulness counts. "Avoid giving the same gift to everyone in the office," Oliver advises. "It's okay for companies to do that -- send the same gift basket to every client, for example -- but for individuals, no." Instead, pick a gift based on what you know the recipient likes. "The point is to show you put some thought into it," she adds. "If you're aware that a coworker is trying to lose 10 pounds, don't give them a box of chocolates." 3. Keep a couple of "anybody gifts" handy. Just in case someone shows up in your cubicle bearing a gift you weren't expecting, says Oliver, it's a nice idea to have one or two already-wrapped goodies stashed in your desk -- for instance, a paperback bestseller, or a pair of designer-inspired sunglasses you picked up at a discount store. If you don't get around to buying (or wrapping) these, though, don't worry about it: "It's perfectly fine to reciprocate by taking the person out to lunch." 4. Don't try to be funny. What one person thinks is hilarious, a colleague might see as in dubious taste, or just silly (or both). So play it safe and don't go there. 5. Always give to helpers and service staffers. These include support staff such as receptionists and assistants in your immediate area, as well as "other support staff, including the mailroom person, perhaps a frequent messenger you know by name, the night or weekend cleaning person, and anyone else who makes your everyday life easier and more pleasant," says Oliver. http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/12/06/holiday-gifts-etiquette-work/