Giving gifts during festivals has become a fundamental social etiquette among the Chinese. Many people think that giving gifts is just about spending money to make someone happy. However, in reality, giving gifts requires careful consideration. If they don’t meet the recipient’s needs, good intentions can be misunderstood, leaving a negative impression.
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The art of gift-giving is essential even for presidents. During diplomatic events, gift-giving is a crucial element that not only highlights the friendship between nations but also reveals the taste of national leaders.
While not extravagant, this gift highlighted President Heine’s identity as the Marshall Islands’ first female president and a significant educator in the local community. The metaphor of “planting trees” aptly symbolized education, cleverly surprising President Heine upon receiving it.
From this story, it’s clear that meaningful gift-giving requires thoughtful effort, but its impact can be profound.
Workplace Gifting: 5 Mistakes You Must Avoid Gift Principle
1. Emphasize “Thoughtfulness over Value” Gift Principle
New grads and young professionals often opt for expensive gifts for security, but in reality, most people don’t care much about the price of the gift.
What really matters is the meaning behind it. On the other hand, receiving overly expensive gifts can make the recipient feel pressured to reciprocate, creating unnecessary stress.
2. “Utility” is the Safest Bet Gift Principle
How should you choose the perfect gift? If you know the person well, you can pick something based on their preferences and lifestyle needs. But if you’re not that familiar, practical gifts are a safe bet to avoid the gift ending up unused.
To prevent such situations, food gifts are often a great choice. They come in a wide variety and are usually beautifully packaged.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider well-reviewed options or limited-edition items from reputable chain brands. This shows your thoughtfulness. However, remember to check if the food is easy to store and its expiry date to ensure it’s enjoyed fresh upon receipt.
3. Navigate Traditional Taboos Gift Principle
Gift-giving serves not only to express sentiments but also to add joy to special occasions.
When giving gifts to supervisors or seniors, it’s advisable to follow traditional customs to avoid unintentionally offending them.
4. Treat Everyone Equally Gift Principle
One of the most awkward situations in workplace gift-giving is when everyone is exchanging gifts, and someone ends up empty-handed. It’s best to consider everyone when giving gifts.
If you’re concerned about the cost of gifts, you can opt for sharing a large box of cookies, tea bags, or other snacks among everyone.
For those you want to build relationships with, consider preparing individual gifts, such as a promotion-worthy boss or a key colleague for important collaborations. This way, you can show appreciation without offending others.
5. Surprise Isn’t Everything Key Points for Gifts to Seniors, Managers, and Colleagues
Giving gifts in the workplace is different from organizing birthday parties for friends, especially when it comes to new business partners or clients.
The goal of gift-giving often aims to strengthen relationships or explore new collaboration opportunities. It’s best to give practical items that cater to their business needs, such as coffee packs, notebooks, or insulated cups.
If possible, it’s ideal to inquire beforehand about their preferences, the number of items needed, and the convenient time and method for receiving gifts.
Using gift-giving as an opportunity, you can also catch up with them, showing genuine interest and warmth.
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What are the key points when giving gifts to seniors, supervisors, and colleagues?
Scenario 1: Gifts for Family and Elders
During holidays, visiting family and elders often involves less daily interaction, making it challenging to choose gifts based on personal preferences or shared memories. In such cases, practicality is a great starting point.
For health-conscious elders, a gift of a “nut assortment” is ideal. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, most Taiwanese adults lack sufficient daily intake of nuts and seeds. When selecting nut gifts, consider three principles: “choose natural flavors,” “minimally processed,” and “low in calories,” promoting both health and peace of mind.
If budget allows, consider gifts like bird’s nest, ginseng drinks, chicken essence, probiotics, and other health supplements. Use the gift-giving moment to inquire about their well-being, showing thoughtfulness.
Scenario 2: Gifts for Managers, Partners, or Clients
For managers, partners, or clients, practical daily items like drip coffee packs, office supplies, or briefcases make thoughtful gifts. These items can remind them of you in their workplace routine.
When gifting to a supervisor, avoid overly expensive gifts to prevent unwanted attention or perceptions. It’s often safer to contribute to a group gift with colleagues to avoid any misunderstandings and build workplace connections.
Scenario 3: Gifts for Colleagues
With colleagues you interact with daily, you likely know their habits and preferences well, making it easier to choose suitable gifts.
For uncertain preferences, trendy “office gadgets” are a hit, such as quirky desk calendars, handwritten planners, cute sticky notes, or small potted plants—combining aesthetics with practicality. Opt for practicality with desktop mini vacuum cleaners, small fans, wireless phone chargers, and other useful gadgets.
Gift-giving may seem simple, but it’s an art full of details. Mastering etiquette and principles behind it can turn even a simple gift into a secret weapon for boosting your workplace rapport!
