This is a hot button issue for me. I'm a legal assistant at a firm with about 40 people. The tradition here is that "instead of buying gifts for our attorneys", the support staff splits the cost of a catered lunch for the attorneys. It ends up being about $50 per person. Plus we're expected to bring a dessert.

I think it's ridiculous. I don't think support staff should be buying gifts for their bosses. Even if I was inclined to give a gift to the two attorneys I support, I wouldn't have spent $50. I'd love to decline, but then I feel guilty because it will raise the cost for my coworkers.

The firm gives us an annual bonus and hosts a very nice holiday lunch. The attorneys usually give their assistant some type of gift.

I manage 5 people and I think they expect a gift.

A couple years ago I gave two of the admins $150 gift cards to a nice restaurant because my organization refused to allow promotions/lower raises that year and they worked really hard. The other three people are Director level and manage their own teams, but I still get them gifts usually a $50-$75 gift card. I also write them all a note, take them to a nice lunch during work hours, and give them an extra day off (not all at same time/asked HR and was allowed because we have a high performing team).

This year for a variety of reasons (medical expenses, other expenses, etc) my spouse recommended I cap it at $20-$25 for the Director level and $50 to the admins, but keep the other things. I just feel like there will be talk since there is history of my gift giving.

I make good money, but I am not in the private sector (not government either), so am not making private sector money. Any ideas?