Guest Insight: Dr. Paul White on Holiday Gifting
By Dr. Paul White
Click here for EEA sponsors; here to subscribe, and here for an RRN media kit.
It’s the time of year when many of us are starting to think: “I’d like to get my colleagues (or boss) a gift for the holidays, but what? I don’t want it to look like
I’m just trying to ‘look good.’ But I don’t want to give them some trinket that will come across as schmaltzy. What should I get them… if anything?”I’m going to give you some advice to consider, some of which may surprise you. Unfortunately, in most work settings, the way gifts are given (as well as what is given and when they are given) often reinforce our negative view of gifts in the workplace – they are either a meaningless trinket, something self-serving (a form of advertising through logoed items) or manipulative.
Here are some considerations, given that gifting can be a waste of time and money and at worse backfire, or, if authentically implementing, a meaningful form of connection.
First, consider not giving a gift now: wait and give them a meaningful gift later, after you have taken time to consider and explore. Thoughtless gifts—those gifts bought hastily in response to tradition or a feeling of obligation—with no real personal investment of time or reflection, not only miss the mark but also communicate a negative message. The gift seems to be a perfunctory act and not a real expression of appreciation. Such gifts do little to positively impact others.One of the key points I learned from my friend, John Ruhlin, author of Giftology, is that a gift has more impact when it is not expected — when it arrives as a surprise. Giving a gift now (during the holiday season) is not going to surprise anyone. So, consider waiting – maybe until the second half of January, is one option.
Secondly, as an alternative, write them a note: not just any “Happy Holidays!” card, but one where you take some time to think about:
1. What you want to say – what do you value about them (how they treat you and others, what they do that makes your daily work easier, character qualities they have that you admire.)
2. How you want to say it – think about the words you use, choose them carefully, maybe even utilize a thesaurus to find synonyms of words you usually use.
3. The way the message is conveyed – if you are like me (my handwriting is terrible), you may want to type it and print it on nice paper; for others, a nice handwritten note is special; or include a picture that conveys part of the message.
If you decide to give a gift. Consider the following tips. No matter what gift you choose (or when you give it), there are considerations to keep in mind when searching for the right fit.
- The best gift requires a little thoughtfulness. Thoughtless gifts, which are those bought hastily in response to tradition or a feeling of obligation, not only miss the mark but also communicate a negative message. These gifts are a perfunctory act and lack a real expression of appreciation.
- Don’t skimp on a personalized card. Pairing your gift with a thoughtful note can further personalize your appreciation and deepen its impact. A hand-written note shows that you took a moment to reflect upon what you value about that person, what unique contribution they make to your team, and that you care enough to communicate this to them.
- Remember, the gift may or may not be a “thing.” it could be an experience (tickets to an event or sporting event they would really like; a gift card to a nicer restaurant than they typically would choose). A truly impactful gift is one that shows you took some time and effort to get a gift that would be meaningful to them.
- If you choose to give gift cards, participants from research we conducted report a preference for gift cards specific to a store more favorably than just a generic gift card. But the caveats are that you must know the retailer that will carry the most meaning for the recipient and that there is still a large minority who enjoy the more generic gift card. In fact, gift cards from Visa, for example, allow people the freedom to purchase whatever they want.
- Various types of flex time or comp time are also highly desired by more and more employees (paid time off, flexible hours, working remotely). Since personal time is a valued resource for many of us, being able to take some time off to run errands, do our holiday shopping, exercise, go to doctor’s appointments, or even sleep in, is typically received gratefully.
Enterprise Engagement Alliance Services
Celebrating our 15th year, the Enterprise Engagement Alliance helps organizations enhance performance through:
1. Information and marketing opportunities on stakeholder management and total rewards:
ESM Weekly on stakeholder management since 2009; click here for a media kit.
RRN Weekly on total rewards since 1996; click here for a EEA YouTube channel on enterprise engagement, human capital, and total rewards insights and how-to information since 2020.
2. Learning: Purpose Leadership and Stakeholder
Management Academy to enhance future equity value and performance for your organization.3. Books on implementation: Enterprise Engagement for CEOs and Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap.
4. Advisory services and research: Strategic guidance, learning and certification on stakeholder management, measurement, metrics, and corporate sustainability reporting.
5. Permission-based targeted business development to identify and build relationships with the people most likely to buy.
6. Public speaking and meeting facilitation on stakeholder management. The world’s leading speakers on all aspects of stakeholder management across the enterprise.
