Nija's Thoughts

I'm going to take a break from my college series to talk about holiday work gift exchanges. If you work in education as I now do you will most likely have the opportunity to participate in a "Secret Santa" game. Other professional settings may have that or something similar. Some do a "White Elephant" or "Dirty Santa". Some general rules of thumb are... Keep your setting in mind working in a school for example, while we're all adults we can't exchange alcohol or adult gifts  Keep your potential recipient in mind This gift might not go to your friend that you work with but possibly anyone you work with that may not have the same since of humor or enjoy the same things as you Stick to the price cap You may be tempted to go over but there's a cap for a reason. Other people may not be able to afford to get fancy gifts so not only will people frown upon it because now there gifts don't compare and you look like a jerk, but you ...

This time of year most people are wondering what to get people for christmas, here are some tips to aid in the gift giving 1. Don't wait until the last minute, if you find something you think someone will like in jan get it and save it until christmas 2. Be practical, dont get a gift for someone just to give them something because they typically won't use/ wear it. ex. fill up their gas tank, give them money to pay a bill, take them on a spa day 3. Personalize, no one wants some generic gift that you give to everyone ex. if you're artistic write them a song, or a poem, paint/ draw a picure. Remember their favorite colors & what they like. 4. Don't be so commercial & save a shopping trip by making gifts that people will cherish, they will appreciate that you spent the time ex. pot holders, afghans, quilts, doilies, table cloths, coasters 5. Instead of giving people presents give them your presence, they will find you more valuable than any gift you buy e...