Gifts to the head for the New Year: tips for choosing

When did the tradition of giving a New Year's gift to the boss appear? At the same time as the secular holiday itself – the New Year. By the way, it was established by the very arbitrariness of the authorities! In 46 BC, Emperor Julius Caesar introduced a calendar that counted the new year from January 1. By his own order, the inauguration of consuls was postponed to that day. And what do the gifts have to do with it? Initially, these were not gifts at all.

The activities of the higher elected magistracy were opened by collecting mandatory fees and collecting debts. On this occasion, on the first day of the year, walkers with offerings from all over the empire went to high officials. To appease those in power, taxpayers added lucky coins, laurel branches and composed ornate wishes to the mandatory contributions.

It is noteworthy that congratulatory speeches were sometimes valued more than gold. History remembers a slave who said to the lord: "I wish you to live longer in the New Year than in the old one!". Ten words spoken in a timely manner and with moderate pathos ensured freedom and civil rights for the wise slave.

For more than two millennia, the tradition of New Year greetings from the powerful has hardly changed. Subordinates are still trying to demonstrate to their bosses the recognition of authority and readiness for further peaceful interaction. And centuries-old worldly wisdom and tips from experienced chefs come to the aid of personal zeal and imagination. Some of them are listed below.

How to get hold of the idea of a presentation to the head?

Take a long look around the familiar office, exchange a few words with the neighbors in the office and the gift muse will definitely descend. Each labor collective can boast of word–of-mouth work stories, incomprehensible slang for the uninitiated, a system of secret gestures and winks - all this is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. And under a sincere greeting, even the most banal souvenir will become warm, memorable and unsurpassably original.

Alone or in a fold?

It is better to decide what to give to the boss not by personal brainstorming, but together with colleagues. During the discussion, a lot of small chips are casually recalled behind jokes -jokes – an invaluable basis for congratulatory creativity. The moral and financial aspects in this case are also simplified. First of all, no one will accuse you of trying to curry favor with your superiors. Secondly, a collective gift can be as expensive as you like, but it is not comme il faut to buy a valuable private gift to the boss, and it is expensive.

Is it possible to violate the canons?

No matter how vast the creative flight of thought is, it is quite risky to abandon the generally accepted decencies completely. Before buying a gift to the management, it is not superfluous to thoroughly study business etiquette. However, this is not a panacea, each rule has its own exceptions. If you have managed to study the director's mores and hobbies, why not take a chance? There are plenty of successful examples of such adventures. Thus, business etiquette prohibits an employee of an enterprise from gifting the boss with clothes, and especially linen knitwear. But what an effect the flash mob had on the 89th anniversary of George H.W. Bush!!! Recall that the former president of the United States was publicly honored with his favorite socks in a bright stripe. A funny sock-congratulatory euphoria united ordinary Americans with the top officials of the country and everyone, including Bush himself, was satisfied.

Risk-free list

For those who prefer to do without risky experiments, in search of a gift to the boss, we suggest arming ourselves with a hot ten time-tested and never-out-of-fashion options:

• Interior decor for office spaces
• Office equipment
• Head's Desk Sets
• Branded stationery
• Gift book editions corresponding to the personal or public interests of the addressee
• Souvenirs with state, industrial or corporate symbols
• Talismans of good luck and success, which can be author's sculptures, money trees, indoor fountains, symbolic cups, etc.
• Flowers and indoor plants, both natural and artificial: spruce in all types is especially relevant!
• Luxury candies, chocolates, designer cakes
• Varietal tea, coffee and accessories for storage and preparation

And finally

There are three "not" that cannot be violated in any case. DO NOT exceed your own financial capabilities, DO NOT go beyond the established official relations, DO NOT portray feelings and emotions that do not really exist. Sincerity and naturalness are the unshakable rules of a successful gift for the boss, everything else varies according to the situation.

And do not forget about corporate gifts to customers! Read the article about corporate gifts for the New Year.