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I work in close proximity with 7 people and some of them do office gifts at Christmas. Even if I only spend a few bucks each, it adds up. Would it be in poor taste to just do cards? We are all clerks, if it matters. I really am struggling financially.
There's no reason to think you should have to buy gifts. Just let them know so that you don't have an awkward situation if somebody buys something for you.
Open and honest communication is the key. If you don't have the money, you should not be buying gifts of any kind and you shouldn't expect any either. If they don't understand this simple fact, don't lose any sleep worrying about them. They are not worth the time or the effort.
To the OP - you shouldn't feel OBLIGATED to get anyone anything. I get for 6 people who I am close with - not for ALL coworkers. If someone gave me just a card, that would fine.
To anyone who thinks people give junk, keep in mind that not everthing is junk. I've had friends give me gloves, which I love and get a lot of use out of. I've gotten a small $5 giftcard to Dunkin Donuts for a friend and they were quite appreciative of it - hey, it was 2 free coffees for her.
I am not into giving knickknacks, or other dust collectors. I find things that are useful and that I know people will appreciate - and doing so CAN be done on a budget, if someone chooses to do so.
Oh, and OP - I know people suggested you bake and you said your weren't a baker. However, there is a VERY simple fudge recipe that is no fail. I make it for the guys in my office every year at this time - and because it gives me an opportunity to have some, but not kepp it around the house .
You can also go to any supermarket fresh bakery section and get a dozen of three or four kinds of cookies, brownies or whatever....get some cello bags....divvy up the cookies in the bags, tie a ribbon around the top of the bag ...and call it a day.
Supermarket bakery sections have containers fresh baked cookies for 2.99 a dozen. sometimes less.
The cello bags and ribbon you can get at the dollar store. Heck the ribbon you may already have from package you got that someone sent you. OR just use a bread tie -- or trash bag tie.
You can also go to any supermarket fresh bakery section and get a dozen of three or four kinds of cookies, brownies or whatever....get some cello bags....divvy up the cookies in the bags, tie a ribbon around the top of the bag ...and call it a day.
Supermarket bakery sections have containers fresh baked cookies for 2.99 a dozen. sometimes less.
The cello bags and ribbon you can get at the dollar store. Heck the ribbon you may already have from package you got that someone sent you. OR just use a bread tie -- or trash bag tie.
I was going to suggest this. You can do this with candy canes, too. Tie them up with a ribbon and a sweet note. Could do this with hot cocoa packets, cider packets, tea bags if they like tea, etc...
Every year we save the ribbon/string/yarn from previous years gifts. I have a huge tub of it. If you do this you'll never have to buy ribbon. For wrapping paper I've used construction paper, old maps, Sunday comics, receipts, paper towels, brown grocery bags turned inside-out, pictures from previous years calendars, coloring book pages, and one time (it was a gag gift) - toilet paper. There are easy tutorials online, too, which show you how to fold your own envelopes so you don't have to buy them. It's a great way to recycle/reuse junk mail!
This year to add a pretty little DIY something to our gift wrapping we made applesauce ornaments. They smell wonderful, are super easy to make (I'm not a really great baker, either... and even I can do these... or you can let them air dry...) and look cute attached to presents, on the tree, or attached to garlands... or make sweet gifts themselves.
Another idea, though, for gifts for your coworkers might be car washes, or movie tickets? An origami paper peace crane?
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