When buying a gift you want to make sure that it's something the person will like and appreciate getting. Whether it's for a wedding or to celebrate someone finishing school to become an Ontario lawyer there are some unwritten guidelines for appropriate gifts that will keep you from getting into an awkward situation that leaves you and the recipient feeling uncomfortable or offended. Here are some simple tips to follow that will keep you on the right track no matter who you're buying for.

Let's start with gifts for people in the office, as these can be some of the hardest to buy. If you're buying for a Christmas gift exchange you want to make sure that you're staying within the budget. Even if you find some great hand garden tools that you know a gardening enthusiast will love, if they are too much than they may still cause more grief than happiness. Joke gifts are also not so great for an office party. If you are also friends with someone you work with you should save that sort of present for a time away from work. Not everyone can see the humor in giving them a gag gift with the others that they install window weights with or coworkers in a dental office.

When it comes to the boss etiquette experts suggest that you only give a gift if the whole office is contributing. If you work for someone really special who is great with those on the team than it's natural to want to show your appreciation at the end of the year. If the rest of your coworkers don't feel the same way that you do about them than you may want to settle for a card. This shows that you were thinking about them but does not look like you're "sucking up." If you're working in a medical or OAA office and everyone decided to go in together for a gift you should allow people to choose how much they contribute.

Getting a gift when you have nothing for the other person, or vice versa, can lead to a very awkward situation whether you're dealing with a friend, coworker, or someone you're dating. The rule is that gift giving doesn't have to be reciprocal. If you get the gift of a new Samuel strapping head for your tool collection from a new girlfriend and don't feel that you're at the level where you want to get her something in return than you're not obligated to do so.

For wedding gifts people usually wonder how much they should stick to the registry selections. The truth is that gift giving is always up to the giver. If you don't want to contribute to their honeymoon fund or get them some new towels than that's up to you. This is just a guideline to help you see the sort of things that they might need in their new life together.