A Guide to Giving

Business etiquette experts say the key to finding the right gift, whether it be for a friend or a business colleague, is putting some thought into the purchase and making the recipient feel special.

“You always want to give something that exudes quality,” said Jacqueline Rogers, operator of The Etiquette Academy in Springfield. “It shouldn’t be cheaply made or something that looks like it was picked up in the checkout line at the last minute.”

A delicious choice

Food items, Rogers added, are usually a safe bet – if the giver is careful about the choice.

“If you give someone a gourmet salsa or chocolates, that works. Consumables usually work,” she said. “But you want to be careful about giving wine, if you don’t know whether that person drinks.”

Giving consumable gifts, however, also requires being aware of individual tastes and allergies, according to Kathy Caplinger, manager of Basket Case Gift Baskets in Springfield.

“Our general rule of thumb is that with a snack basket, you get a lot of variety, so whomever you give it to will have several things that they like,” said Caplinger, who noted that the most popular corporate gift basket she sells revolves around food.

“We also work with clients on food allergies and special needs – gluten-free, caffeine-free, diabetic-friendly items. That’s the nice thing about a custom basket – if someone doesn’t like something sweet, that doesn’t have to be in there,” she added.

Caplinger said the average basket costs between $35 and $45, but baskets can be as expensive as $200, depending on size and cost of included items.

“The nice thing about those items is that all of the foods are shelf-stable, so they can go to the front office, on a desk or in the break room,” she said.

A fragrant option

Another popular option for gift-giving is flowers, Rogers said.

She noted that while business owners and managers can buy flowers for each individual employee or for the office as a whole, flowers are also a good way to remember those who may be hosting holiday parties.

“If you’re going to someone’s house for a dinner party, it would be nice to send some flowers before you get there, so you can see them displayed,” she added.

Nikki Pettit, nursery manager for Wickman’s Garden Village, said that the traditional holiday flower, the poinsettia, continues to “reign supreme,” but there are numerous other options, including dish or container gardens.

“It could be something small enough to sit on the desk or large enough to go in the entrance to the building,” Pettit said, noting that container gardens start at about $25.

“We’ve also made up things to use outdoors – on a porch, in an entrance or in a drafty spot. It’s something out of the ordinary – not something you’d see often,” she added.

Rules to remember

No matter what gift is chosen, Rogers said there are a few tips to avoid giving a gift that is inappropriate.

For co-workers, never give a gift to a general co-worker that is meant to touch the skin.

“Items like lotion, jewelry or perfume are considered too personal,” she said.

Gifts from bosses to employees and from business to business may have tax implications.

Joy Ward, shareholder and certified public accountant with Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller CPAs PC, said that gifts between businesses are safe as long as the value doesn’t exceed $25.

“If the value is more than $25, the giver would have a nondeductible expense, and the (gift) would still be tax-free (for the recipient),” she said.

Gifts for employees have less tax liability – as long as they’re not cash or redeemable for cash.

“Nominal gifts to employees, like hams and turkeys at the holidays, would be deductible by the employer and tax-free to the employee,” she said. “If money is given, either in cash or in the form of gift certificates, that’s taxable and has to be claimed as supplemental income in the employee’s W-2 form.”

Even with rules, business gifts don’t have to be too formal. Experts suggest movie passes or DVDs.

“People always enjoy entertainment,” Rogers said.

“As close as we are to Branson, if you really wanted to make a statement, you could give day passes to Silver Dollar City or show tickets. It depends on the level of statement you want to make – it’s about whether it’s the boss or the person in the cubicle next to you.”

Gift-giving Tips

In general:

• Make sure the gift is appropriate. A general acquaintance, for example, should not receive anything that touches the skin, while a close friend could see a gift card or cash as too impersonal or cold.

• Food works well. A gift basket of various food items is usually sure to please – especially if there is variety.

• Don’t skimp on quality. If an item looks like it was rushed or purchased out of the bargain bin, the recipient will know.

• Thoughtfulness counts. A good gift doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as it’s well thought out with the recipient in mind.

• Be careful with the booze. Alcohol can be a wonderful gift – but only if the recipient drinks. Also, never give alcohol at the office – always send it to the home address.

• Be aware of company policies. Many businesses have rules in place prohibiting employees from receiving gifts to avoid the appearance of favoritism in business transactions.

• Don’t forget those who serve. The mail carrier, the trash collector, hair stylist and even your newspaper delivery person appreciate a small gift for the holidays.

For bosses:

• Be consistent. If you’re giving gifts to all your employees, try to be as equitable as possible to avoid resentment or the appearance of favoritism.

• Remember the financial implications. Gifts can usually be written off as business expenses – but be careful about the potential tax impact for the recipient. Monetary gifts must be claimed by the employee as supplemental income.

• Remember the businesses you work with. Company clients and business partners also appreciate a gift – but, again, remember the potential financial implications. The recipient will not be subject to tax, but the giver might.

Source: “New Complete Guide to Executive Manners” by Letitia Baldrige and SBJ research

Thanks for Your Service

While service providers – mail carriers, hair stylists, child-care providers or trash collectors – appreciate holiday gifts, customers should remember certain guidelines.

Dave Partenheimer, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, said mail carriers often receive gifts from the customers on their mail routes. While the post office doesn’t encourage or discourage customers from giving gifts, Partenheimer said the carriers do appreciate the sentiment – if the gift falls within the organization’s rules.

“The short answer is that the carriers can only accept noncash gifts worth $20 or less,” he said. “Gift cards worth $20 or less work well. Cookies and candy are popular, and books and DVDs worth $20 or less also work.”

Trash collectors also appreciate a little something extra during the holiday season.

Nick Karmann, owner of Karmann Refuse Service, said his employees receive everything from tins of cookies and popcorn to cash and lottery tickets.

“Often, they’ll come out and greet the person on the route with a card or a small token of thanks,” Karmann said. “The biggest tip I’ve seen here from one customer is about $180. It depends on how the driver treats that customer and how the customer feels, and how much the customer is able to give.”

And, Partenheimer added, there is one rule of thumb that always holds true for service providers, especially mail carriers and trash collectors.

“It goes without saying – no alcohol as gifts,” he said. [[In-content Ad]]