I am going to be the first to admit that I am terrible at gift giving. I don’t have the natural knack of knowing exactly what a person would like to receive.

Now the countdown to Christmas has commenced, and the office Kris Kringle is in full swing, I have been forced to do some self reflection, pull my socks up and do something about my terrible gift giving.

Here are some great tips I have found to help pick that perfect Kris Kringle gift;

• Think about what the gift you are giving means. Make sure the gift is thoughtful and is given out of appreciation and respect. Be aware of cultural clashes as well – some people may not celebrate Christmas.
• Always note of the Kris Kringle’s spending limit. This gives you a benchmark that you can stick to.
• Choose an appropriate gift within your price range. Choosing a gift that is appropriate and thoughtful can help build rapport and relationships within the office. Don’t buy anything overly intimate (even though socks and jocks are useful they are inappropriate).
• Something that I rely on heavily is- ask for advice!!! If you are unsure about a specific present, ask a friend or colleague! Ask as many people as you can (who may know your Kris Kringle) or bounce ideas of friends and family members who will give you an honest opinion.

Stuck for ideas? Here are some ideas I think tick all the boxes;

• Charitable gifts are a great Christmas present idea. But make sure it is a charity you know is in line with your colleague’s beliefs. It doesn’t count if you are donating to a charity of your choice
• Gift cards for their favourite coffee place
• Gift cards in general – music gift cards, Coles/Myer gift cards
• Stationery related purchases – nice pens and paper
• New year calendars or diary planners

Hopefully some of these tips helped you as much as they helped me!Happy gift giving and Merry Christmas.

Written by Natassja Ford