Expert Office Advice

Gift giving in an office environment may be an enjoyable experience for the employees, but it isn’t as effortless as it seems. There are several gift giving etiquette points, as giving business gifts to your clients, partners and employees is completely different from choosing a gift for your partner or a relative. With Christmas virtually on our doorstep, it’s worth remembering a few rules.

Find out the Company Policy regarding business gifts. Some companies have strict policies on the acceptance of corporate gifts, so do a little bit of research before you purchase or accept a gift. The gift should not be perceived as a form of bribery. In some cases organisations and businesses have a limit on the value of the gift that can be accepted.

Do not give an inappropriate gift. By that we mean extremely personal gifts, items showing your affection for the colleague, very expensive or extravagant gifts, such as designer clothing, shoes or high-priced gadgets.

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With Christmas parties just around the corner, you will want to start deciding on your outfit. If your budget won’t stretch to a new dress, there are some things you can do to revamp your old one.

You could add a nice brooch, or perhaps a bright belt. A visit to the haberdashery may be in order, they sell all manner of sparkly items, ribbons, buttons, feathers etc… you name it.

If you’re handy with a needle and thread, you could make a few alterations, perhaps to the sleeves or hemline. If your dress has buttons, you could easily replace them with something interesting. If you don’t know one end of a needle from another, there are tailors (or perhaps your mum?) that can alter your dress for you at a reasonable cost. I recently took a trench coat in to get altered and was only charged 15 pounds, a bargain I feel as now I have a coat at just the right length for me without having to buy a new one.

So don’t despair that you don’t have a fairy godmother to sort your wardrobe, with a few simple changes you can still be the belle of the ball. Now where’s that Prince Charming from the marketing team…