# New boss: Christmas gift expected?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 24, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572 "2008-12-24T17:35:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572/1 "2008-12-24T17:35:37Z")

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I’ve been working at my new job for about three weeks now. My boss is very kind and has allowed off of work with pay. She even got me a chocolate orange for Christmas.

My question is, I’m waiting for the first paycheck to come Dec. 26. I’ve not received a paycheck for four weeks now, and so my Christmas shopping has been severely limited to family and close friends. Was there an expectation that I should’ve gotten my boss at least a card, or am I new enough at the job that it doesn’t matter?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572/2 "2008-12-24T17:52:31Z")

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No gift. Does not matter. Merry Christmas!

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**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572/3 "2008-12-24T18:29:43Z")

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I’ve never in my life given my boss an xmas card, even my current boss who happens to be a good friend of fifteen years. Then again I’ve never in my life given anyone an xmas or “holiday” card so that’s probably not much help.

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**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572/4 "2008-12-24T18:43:48Z")

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Employees shouldn’t ever be expected to give their bosses holiday presents. A plate of homemade cookies would be lovely and very thoughtful, bu not necessary.

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**Author:** ![The\_Batman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@The\_Batman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Batman)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572/5 "2008-12-24T18:47:10Z")

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It might also be against company rules to give gifts to higher-ups. Some places don’t mind if a boss gives a gift to an employee but do mind otherwise.

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**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-boss-christmas-gift-expected/478572/6 "2008-12-24T19:03:10Z")

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Yes, it’s not expected or appropriate to give a gift to your boss. So take the money you were going to spend on it and buy something nice for yourself. 😃