Hi. I work at a financial consulting firm, and am having lunch with my manager tomorrow. We have a really really good relationship and are sort of close. I love Barnes and Noble, etc. and gift giving and here's what I got her:
1) a little Charlotte's Web ornament (we have a joke about Charlotte) - I'm not sure of the price but it's nominal I'm sure
2) a $25 gift card for Barnes and Noble
3) a bellydance package from Barnes and Noble that was about $15 (we have a running joke about my doing "snake arms")
NOTE: I had gone to Barnes and Noble today to get the gift card - then I bought a bunch of those Belly dance packages for various people - after I paid for the gift card and while the guy was putting my stuff in a bag is when I decided that my manager would love one of the bellydance packages I bought.
What should I do? The whole thing probably amounts to approx. $45. Should I leave out the gift card or just go for it? (I also already wrote my manager's name on the flap..)
2006-11-30 04:28:59 · 14 answers · asked by Mishy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Good point re: the gift card, Maggie. However, given our relationship, I don't think she'd be offended by the bellydance thing at all. I will just use the gift card myself...
2006-11-30 04:34:54 · update #1
It might make her a little uncomfortable, I would leave out the gift card, she will be thrilled with the other gifts because you put a lot of thought into picking them out.
2006-11-30 04:35:50 · answer #1 · answered by pepsiolic 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not only is it not a good idea to spend too much money on your manager because it might make her feel uncomfortable about whether or not she got you anything and how much she spent, but it could look bad for her when it comes to other employees. You don't want anyone to think there is something going on either romantically or that you are brown nosing for a promotion, pay raise, posh office space, bonus, coveted client, etc. In today's terms $45 isn't really considered big money spent by most people (most, but not me!).
That being said...
If their is an opportunity to give her the gift card in the office atmosphere, do so. No one will think anything of just a gift card. It's kind of an impersonal, but kind gesture. Appropriate for work.
If at all possible, give her the other two gifts away from the office as they are friendship gifts and might look out of place in the work environment.
2006-11-30 12:39:55 · answer #2 · answered by soccermomw3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The gift certificate is fairly pricey and may make your manager feel obligated to give you a $25 gift in return. As for the belly dancing package, you had better be really good friends with this manager or this may be considered wildly inappropriate.
2006-11-30 12:32:36 · answer #3 · answered by maggiepirsq 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have often been a Manager in a business office. I was always very uncomfortable when my employees gave me gifts. Although, I did not have a relationship with my employees which as as chummy as yours sounds.
A gift in a business relationship is usually employer to employee, to show thanks for the previous years effort, much the same way a bonus works.
2006-11-30 12:33:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
By all means sign that gift card! This shows what a kind and generous person you are, and that you respect her a friend. Don't hide your fabulous personality!
2006-11-30 12:36:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd go with the gifts you have the jokes about...
2006-11-30 13:12:26 · answer #6 · answered by Kabu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well its a lot to spend on one person but if youve wrote her name on the flap well give her that and then maybe something else but i might be wrong hey if you hav a laugh with her then y do you need to like buy her stuff anyway you properly cant retur the stuff bac to the shop so do wot u want wiv it you hav it you spent your money on it
2006-11-30 12:35:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would leave out the gift card.....the other goodies are meaningful and that's the whole point of gift giving!!....she should love it!
2006-11-30 14:14:16 · answer #8 · answered by SNAP! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have hundreds of dollars to spend on Christmas alone, go for it! Show your manager how much you care! If not, give some of it back, straight truth.
2006-11-30 12:31:32 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go for it - if you have a good relationship - then what does it matter?
you could always keep the gift card for yourself
2006-11-30 12:31:08 · answer #10 · answered by schmushe 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋