Giving gifts during the holidays can be a source of cheer and celebration, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Considering that most people have a long list of family and friends to buy gifts for, choosing gifts for co-workers, clients, or the boss can sometimes seem more like pain than pleasure. In fact, some reports show that gift buying is the leading cause of holiday stress.

Before holiday gift-giving in the workplace makes you say “bah humbug,” consider these simple rules:

Know your company’s gift-giving policies. What is your company’s stance on gift-giving during the holidays? Is there an unwritten rule you should be aware of? Ask a trusted mentor or co-worker what the rules are, especially if you have been with the company for less than a year. You may find that smaller, intimate environments, often ones with a more family-style atmosphere, participate in gift-giving activities like Secret Santa. Larger companies tend to shy away from such activities, so gift-giving may not be appropriate there.

If gift-giving is a company cultural norm, find out how it’s done. Is it a personal exchange between a small group, perhaps done off premises during lunchtime, or does the company get together as a whole to exchange gifts in an open setting? Are you expected to send gifts to important clients? Might there be any reason, ethical or otherwise, why a client would not be able to accept a gift?

You may also want to take this opportunity to learn more about your company’s gift-receiving policies as well. If you get a gift from a client, are you expected to notify management? Might you be expected to share the gift, if it is monetary or edible, with others? Breaking the rules because you are not aware of the rules is no excuse.

Spend the proper amount. Another very important consideration is the dollar amount to spend on a gift. Does the company suggest a price limit? If so, you should definitely abide by it. People who over-spend on a gift might look like they are brown-nosing. Under-spending may look cheap. You’ll want to avoid both perceptions. Typically, companies suggest that gifts cost no more than $20. Some companies even limit the price per gift to $10 or under. The price should be equitable and unlikely to cause financial burden, so find out what it is and stick to it.

Know who to get gifts for. You should not feel obligated to purchase gifts for anyone in the workplace, but it might be a nice gesture to express thanks to a special mentor during the holidays. If you have an office buddy or two, you might want to thank them for any help or support they have given you throughout the year, and if you are a supervisor, you may want to show your appreciation for a particularly valuable employee, such as an assistant.

Remember, there are some pitfalls in this area, as no one should feel obligated to give during the holidays, yet no one likes being overlooked. Try your best to make gift-giving equitable and, if necessary, discreet.

A special note on gifts for the boss. Buying for the boss can be a particularly slippery slope. Worries about the appearance of brown-nosing and other concerns may make buying for the boss especially stressful.

Consider this option if you are a supervisor in charge of holiday gift exchanges:

At one company, the HR manager decided to inform employees that a basket was being placed in her office. Employees who wished to contribute to the basket, which would ultimately be a gift basket for the boss, could do so discreetly. Employees voluntarily placed gift items in the basket if they so chose, and at the end of three weeks, the basket was filled with a variety of gifts, ranging from candles and books to a massaging back pillow. It worked so well that it became a company tradition.

If you decide to buy a gift for the boss on your own, check out the list of appropriate gifts below.

Choose appropriate gifts. Gifts given in the workplace should be tasteful, simple, and professional. Here’s a list of gift ideas that are appropriate for anyone in the workplace:

• Personal stationery and pen sets
• Calendars, organizers, or business card holders
• Books, CDs, or DVDs
• Food baskets, gourmet treats, cookies, cakes, and chocolates
• Coffee, tea, or wine
• Special interest gifts, like golf accessories or theatre tickets
• Relaxation items like squeeze balls or hand grippers
• Plants or flowers (not roses)
• Picture frames or albums with company photos
• Gift certificates or donations to a favorite charity

The gift should be tailored to the individual’s likes and interests, but it should not be overly elaborate. Whenever possible, include a gift receipt with the gift. You should also gift wrap the item, avoiding religious themes. It’s a nice touch to add a personal note, handwritten, that explains why you appreciate the person receiving the gift, and how the gift is particularly well-suited for the individual. Remember, no one likes re-gifting.

Also, what one person finds funny, another person may find offensive, so gag gifts are highly discouraged. If exchanging gag gifts is a company cultural norm, then use your best judgment to select a gag gift that is humorous but unlikely to offend. A few other gift ideas to avoid include items that are culturally taboo, sexual, or too personal. Homemade items, clothing, and perfume are also gifts you should avoid giving in the workplace.

Gift-giving during the holidays does not need to be stressful. If you turn on your gift sonar early, listening for any little gift clues, and you consider the advice given above, you should be able to glide through the gift-giving season stress-free.