May 2012 Weddings
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Work presents - what would you do?

I work for a small firm. We have 6 partners, 2 associate lawyers, 2 paralegals (including myself), 1 legal assistant and a receptionist/administrative assistant. We had decided a few years ago to not buy individual Christmas gifts for everyone. Instead, we do a Pollyanna at our holiday party. We already had our party last week and we did the Pollyanna exchange.

Well today the other paralegal brought in 6 individual presents for the 6 partners. Do you think I should do the same? We're on the same level and I sort of feel like it makes me look bad if I don't do something for each of them as well. What would you do?

Lilypie Maternity tickers

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Re: Work presents - what would you do?

  • Sorry I can't really offer much advice.  But I would like to say I think it's pretty tacky that after agreeing to not doing individual gifts that person decides to do individual gifts.

    On the one hand you may look bad for not gifting anything, but on the other hand, if you gift now, it'll look like you were following up the other person.  Maybe you could bring in cookies/baked goods/treats/specialty hot cocoa/coffee/whatever for the whole firm instead just the partners?

  • I agree that it is tacky that even after already doing presents and everything they still brought something else. To me it looks more like sucking up. And I do feel if you did something now it would just look like you are coping. I would say no gifts!

    However I agree with baked goods or candies just a little something you could share with the whole staff and not just the 6 partners. You don't even have to do it yourself you could maybe pick up breakfast one morning just some donuts or something. Or honestly don't do anything at all. It's not going to make you look bad since it was agreed upon to not to anything other than the 1 gift which has already been done.

  • I agree with PP...I think maybe a thing you can out by the "water cooler" would be great...one of our students brought us in a huge popcorn tin...we all been eating it like crazy! Just an other idea! 
    "Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly"
  • No, her violating the general office agreed upon protocol does not reflect badly on you. Was she in the office back then? Has something happened in her life recently where the partners gave her a bit of slack or flexibility that she may feel that she needs to thank them?

    It doesn't make you look bad. You never  know there maybe circumstances/agreements that are arranged that make her feel personally like she needs to extend an extra thank you to the bosses. If she had also given things to the rest of the office I would feel like it was a general office thing not a to the bosses thing.

     So, you don't look bad. You don't owe anyone any extra "gift" since they are coworkers not friends. You (if you feel so holiday inclined) could do something general for the office but shouldn't feel any pressure to do so.

  • I agree that if you feel so inclined an edible gift for the office would be a nice gesture. If you're good at baking, cookies are always popular. Otherwise donuts, popcorn, etc. were all good suggestions. I know one of the consultants we work with bought us some fancy popcorn and I can't wait to dig into it at staff meeting this afternoon!

    Daisypath Anniversary tickers 

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  • Thanks for the responses ladies :) I'm sort of irritated by this. If she wanted to give them all gifts, fine. But why make a big presentation out of it? I may just bring in a cookie tray or something...

    imageSuburbsMrs:

    Was she in the office back then? 

     - Yes she's been here longer than I have. She's definitely aware of the Pollyanna arrangement. 

    Has something happened in her life recently where the partners gave her a bit of slack or flexibility that she may feel that she needs to thank them?

     - Nope. Her schedule is a little more flexible but only because she works directly for 2 partners, whereas I work directly for 4 so I'm in demand a little more just because my department as more lawyers in it. More lawyers = more work for the paralegal ;)

    Lilypie Maternity tickers

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
  • I wouldn't buy gifts for all of those people after you all agreed not to. 
    imageDaisypath Anniversary tickers
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