Holidays, promotions, birthdays: sometimes it seems like there’s no end to gift-buying for colleagues and coworkers. Things take on a different tone in the professional world, and it’s important to choose the right gift for the right situation.

Learning how to choose the right gift is a good way to increase your professional standing at work. If you’re feeling a little lost, you’ve come to the right place. 

Consider the Event 

The type of gift you buy should take the event into consideration. A birthday demands a different kind of present than a work anniversary or retirement party. Here’s a quick rundown of some common gift-giving situations and how to handle them: 

Professional Achievements: If one of your colleagues has earned recognition or reward for good work, it’s customary to congratulate them. If you know your colleague well, you should consider doing so with a card or flowers or even luxury apple watch bands. The gesture will not go unnoticed and will improve your work relations. 

Birthdays: In a small office environment, you should get birthday gifts for close colleagues and anyone you work with on a daily basis. Consider something personal that is still appropriate to the workplace such as gift cards for a favorite restaurant, a nice watch, or even a business-card holder.

You should get your boss a birthday present as well unless they tend to avoid celebrating the event. Go for something simple and personal, such as an engraved set of pens or a print featuring work from their favorite artist. 

Christmas and Holidays: Don’t make the mistake of spending too little on a holiday gift. You also need to make sure that you don’t give one person a nicer gift than another—unless that person is your boss! A very good idea is to create a personalized gift basket for each of your coworkers.

That way, everyone is getting the same gift with a little twist that makes it their own. For your boss, something more expensive yet simple is best. Decanter sets are an excellent option, and you can even throw in a fine whiskey. Who knows, maybe your boss will share a glass with you! 

Work Anniversaries: Is your coworker about to hit the 10-year mark at your company? Get them something nice to recognize their years of service. This can be something simple, such as a coffee mug commemorating the achievement. Fill it with goodies to add some extra flair. 

Remember the Primary Goal 

No matter what you buy, never forget that gift-giving is an essential component of networking in the workplace. While it may seem tempting to get something generic, spending a little extra time and money can really improve your work relations. 

Giving a thoughtful gift will not only improve your interoffice relationships, but it will also help you stand out in the workplace. When it comes time to hand out promotions, you want to stand out. If you can couple this increased recognition with a good reputation, then you’re well on your way to a better salary.