What is the new trend in gift-giving?
There are certain items that are trendier to give. For the last few years, there has been a lot of emphasis on giving items that help relieve stress. This brings a lot of ideas like personal trainers sessions gift certificates, various spa products, books, personal products that have relaxing properties. I certainly would not recommend giving beauty products to someone in the office. Massage kit, body refresheners, or even a foot cream – that is fine, but I would not recommend giving actual skincare and hair care products.

Which gifts are most popular this season?
Wine is a very popular gift, especially red wine. Traditional holiday treats are still very popular. Wine and chocolate are the ultimate gifts every Christmas.

Are there any rules that regulate gift giving in the office?
In offices there’s a popular trend of making donations to charities on behalf of co-workers. Small items are more appropriate, for example, a key chain or a box of chocolates. As a “secret Santa” your best bet would be giving something that a person can use in the office or something more personal, maybe something related to stress-relieving. You can buy them a little gadget in around $10, or maybe a little toy that they use on their desk, but not something too personal – a little spa item. If you have to give a corporate gift, sometimes a whole office comes together and buys one gift. This year people buy fully customizable remote control cars. Try to keep it a little different from wine and chocolate. Lot of people like lottery tickets as a gift!

Would you recommend giving books or music as a gift?
Giving books and DVDs might be tricky. If you work with someone you may know the taste of this person in music and reading. But if you are not sure, I would not recommend giving these items. Try to be a little more generic when choosing a gift to someone whom you don’t know well.

What do you think of re-gifting?
Re-gifting is a horrible practice. It’s totally inappropriate! If someone gives you a gift, it’s yours to keep, not to pass to someone else. But I know that a lot of people do that. If you don’t really like the gift, say it to a person politely and ask for a permission to exchange it.

What would you recommend giving as a hostess gift?
Hostess gifts are a pleasure to give! At this time of the year the perfect gift would be a set of tea towels, a wine accessories kit. Of course, wine and food items are nice too. If a person likes to cook a lot, another cookbook or an apron is always well accepted. Again, with hostess gifts you cannot be too personal, gifts should be more about entertainment, so they can use it for this or the next party. A good idea is fresh flowers or some other sort of table décor – anything that complement the home and the hostess.

What do you hope to get for Christmas this year?
This year I am looking towards a new basket for my dog Luke. I don’t need much for Christmas!

Julie Gabriel 

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