The holidays can be a sticky time of year, and not just from eating sugar cookies! Even stickier: holiday gift-giving around the office, where your graciousness can directly impact your professional reputation. Should you gift a nice gift—or any gift—to your boss? What about your staff? Does every one of your coworkers deserve a Starbucks gift card, even if it means blowing through your holiday bonus? And what about all those vendors?

• Should I give a gift to my boss? Pretty clearly, the answer is that no, you are not expected to give a gift to someone with power over your livelihood. Gifts in the workplace typically flow downward, not upward, so it’s neither expected nor especially appropriate to buy a gift for your boss. Worse, it can make you look like a brownnoser. A better idea for a beloved boss? Go in on a modest group gift with your coworkers.
• Should I give gifts to my staff? This one’s really up to you and the current state of your company. If you recently laid off workers or enrolled your staff in the Jelly of the Month Club instead of issuing traditional bonuses, it might not be appropriate to spend money on gifts. If you do give gifts to your staff, be consistent and give the same gift to everyone. Think gift certificates or cash—maybe skip that monogrammed company polo.
• Should I give gifts to my coworkers? This largely depends on your office culture. If your office does a Secret Santa or white elephant exchange, that’s all the gift-giving you need! You can also celebrate your coworkers by bringing in home-baked goods and holiday cards. That way everyone can share, without worry about offending anyone who wasn’t included. (It’s OK to give gifts to your personal friends at work, or to those you work with most closely—just be careful to do is discreetly.)
• Should I give gifts to my vendors? Many agencies have policies about receiving gifts, so first make sure there aren’t any restrictions. Try to choose a gift that says “thank you” without creating embarrassment or obligation. A great gift for any agency, restrictions or not? A contribution made in their name to a charitable organization.

We hope these tips will help you make informed decisions about your gift-giving this holiday season. At the end of the day, remember you don’t have to break the bank to show your appreciation—personalized holiday cards or a batch of sticky sugar cookies is always a winning choice. Kudos on your thoughtfulness this year!