As you’re celebrating with co-workers during the office holiday event, should gift exchanges be part of the festivities?

Is it OK to get a co-worker a gift? Should you buy your boss one?

At work, it is often traditional to provide a gift down the ladder of responsibility, but not up the ladder, said Lizzie Post, the great-great granddaughter of etiquette maven Emily Post.

“We don’t gift as individuals up the ladder because we don’t desire to look like we are trying to buy favor or favoritism,” Post, an author, co-president, and spokesperson for The Emily Post Institute, told USA TODAY.

throng gifts can be a enjoyable alternative, giving people the selection to participate if they desire to or not, she said.

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There could be exceptions when you have a special one-on-one connection between a boss and an employee, where it might warrant a gift both ways, said Post. But always make sure you remain within a apportionment, she said.

Is it impolite to regift?Here’s the respond.

What is appropriate gift-giving at work?

Here are seven tips for office-gift giving from The Emily Post Institute:

1. It’s OK to provide gifts to your closest work colleagues, but provide the gifts discreetly – preferably outside of the office. Keep the gift straightforward and moderately priced. Don’t be surprised if they don’t have a gift to provide you in profitability.
2. Office accessories like desk games, fine pens, external data storage and office decor are excellent gift ideas. Shareable sweets and or food like nuts and challenging candies also work well. Gift cards to favorite spots near the workplace are also often well-received.
3. Don’t gift alcohol at the office. “A bottle of wine is a great and affordable hostess gift outside of theoffice, but when it comes to corporate gifting, consider food ratherthan alcoholic beverages.” Also, avoid gifts that are more personal, like perfume, cologne or pajamas.
4. If you desire to gift your boss or supervisor, it is best to do it as a department or throng. “Set a deadline and have an envelope at your desk for anonymous contributions. It’s okay to recommend an amount, but let it be known that the amount and even participation is entirely up to the person. Then, purchase a gift with the proceeds.”
5. If you draw the name of a co-worker whom you don’t really recognize from the Secret Santa hat, here are some ideas:
   1. Baked goods
   2. Gift certificates to a coffee or tea shop, movie theater, bookstore or online book seller
   3. Or inquire around and discover out his or her favorite charity and make a donation.
6. If you are giving a significant gift to a client, call the HR department to discover out if gifts are allowed or if there are any restrictions on the type of gift or its worth. “It would be awkward if you gave something meaningful or expensive and then your client, in turn, has the burden of either returning it or donating it.”
7. Instead of gift-giving, recommend your office donate a book on professionalism or your field of expertise to your local library. Or, recommend the entire throng volunteer during the holidays instead of exchanging gifts.

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Betty Lin-Fisher is a customer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or pursue her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include customer information on Fridays, here.