Should you buy your boss a gift?
All of us would have been plagued with this dilemma at least once in our careers. With celebrations becoming a routine nowadays, buying gifts for co-workers is a regular phenomenon. However how do you go about it if it is your boss? Employees who go around gifting their superiors are most of the times considered apple-polishers, making it imperative to be careful about flaunting ones gifting side. And unless there is an occasion or a reason, frequently buying presents for your superiors can even jeopardise your job. So, although gifting can be the necessities of the season or occasion, when it's for someone you report to, make sure that you do it with a caution.

A gesture that can be misinterpreted as a bribe in certain scenarios, buying the appropriate gift is also something that you will have to look into if you do not want to annoy the recipient of the gift. Just imagine buying your boss a bottle of whiskey only to find out later that he is a teetotaler. So ask around and pick something that would be useful. And well the downside to this exercise - you might even be forced to pick up something quite over your budget, as Pranav had to, much to his chagrin. Working in the Corporate Communications department of a large Multi-national, Pranav's boss was a person who only sported Hip designer labels. Not one to want to fall back on the race to impress he had to pick up something quite over-the-top, for which he is still paying the EMI.

Though this was not necessary, when it comes to being compared with other's choices in gifts, a lot of times people do feel that they don't want to be left out or considered a scrooge, which makes them pick up gifts that is way beyond their means. However what we don't realise often is the fact that it is always the thought that matters and not the gift itself. Yes, you are bound to feel different when it comes to friends or family but if it is a superior that you're buying for make sure that you pick up something that will not make them feel obligated or uncomfortable. Because when you give something expensive, your boss will feel pressurised to reciprocate, which can only put them in a bad light amongst others subordinates. On the other hand if you happen to be a slacker lately or among the ones in the next lay-off list make sure you steer quite clear of the gifting brigade, because not only can your gift become a moral dilemma for your boss but it can also turn into a reason for suspicion of your real motives. And unless you're really thick you will know for a fact that you cannot shake-off that kind of suspicion once it arises!

Corporate Policies
So you've decided to buy your boss something but have you checked whether it is legal? A lot of companies today have strict policies against giving gifts. If you do manage to get hold of your company's HR policies manual, check to see whether you are allowed to buy people at work any presents. This would definitely not only save you the dilemma of finding the right gift but save you your job!

Expect nothing in return
When we buy something for someone we sometimes cannot help but hope to get something in return. But that's not the true spirit of giving. When you give someone a gift don't expect them to return the favour. After all they didn't ask you for it so why should they get you something in return? Yes, it can be a little bit disappointing but that should not stop you from gifting someone something (read - if the corporate policies allow it).

It's not a stipulation
Buying someone something is your prerogative, and not a necessity. Even if you are playing secret Santa during the holiday season make sure that you do not splurge. Whatever is within your means is what you should be going for. If you had unluckily drawn your boss' name just buy a present that you can afford and not what you cannot. People around you could be picking up an expensive trinket, but why should you, unless you want to and can afford to!

And in the end whatever it is that you decide to do make sure you proceed after careful thought. If a group of you decide to buy it together it would sure not be considered anything but a token of appreciation. So if that is possible, choose to do that. On the other hand if it's something that you want to do as a personal token of appreciation then it is not always necessary that you should give a gift, because even a greeting card or a hand-written note should do. But whatsoever you choose to do - let the 'sprit of giving' be the motive and nothing else!