Buying a Gift for Your Boss or Your Staff? Read This First. Who are you really buying that gift for?

Hey, everyone in my imaginary office. Gather round. I have some new holiday rules for you all to follow.

Here we go: General cheer is OK. Merriment will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The occasional burst of mirth will be tolerated. Kyle can wear his candy-­cane pants. And here comes the really important one: Gifts -- material and monetary -- are banned unless you think really, really hard before giving one.

Related: Reduce Stress in Your Office This Holiday Season