These are the Presents You Shouldn’t Give a Co-Worker

If you have to buy something for a co-worker this holiday season, make sure it's not any of these things.

This list comes from Wall Street Cheat Sheet.

1. Lingerie or an intimate coupon
   So, you draw Sue’s name from the hat and you know she’s a happily married women. Her husband would love for her to have sexy lingerie, wouldn’t he? What about Dave? He looks like he’s stressed; maybe you should give him a coupon for “one free massage?” Your significant other loves those cute little coupon books you make, so Dave will too, right?Wrong. Can you even imagine? Glaring at Dave as he opens your creepy present? You smile at him and crack your knuckles.
2. A self-help (or how to do your job better) book
   If you draw your bosses name, would you ever think about giving him a book entitled Management for Dummies or Manager to Leader: Skills and Insights for a Successful Transition?These books almost always send out the wrong message: You are not very good at life, here’s a book to help you.
3. Something used
   Some people wait until the last minute to buy a gift for the secret Santa pool, and instead of quickly buying a gift card (or even giving cash), they decide to re-gift an item they’ve already received. Now, in some cases, the re-gift works out — it’s still in the original packaging, and the other party actually likes the present better than they would have.
4. Toiletries or beauty products
   Perfume, deodorant, or any other hygiene product is never a good idea for an office gift. You should think twice before giving a colleague anything that could insinuate that he or she smells bad or looks bad in any way.
5. A Bible or religious gifts
   The holidays are a time of togetherness and celebrating one’s faith. Religion is something that a lot of people don’t talk about in the office (because, of course, religion talk in the office is a big no-no). So, you may not know your gift recipient’s faith.
6. Anything marijuana-related
   So, this is the first holiday season where people in some parts of the country can walk into a shop and buy marijuana. However, just because it’s legal in the state where you live, this does not mean that it’s a good idea to give a coworker marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, or marijuana decor — like a pot leaf ornament — for a holiday gift.
7. A 10% off coupon
   As the subject of many sitcoms, the old “here’s a coupon for 10% off at my store if you buy 20 items” gift makes fun of just how cheap people can really be. Gifts where the recipient has to shell out money to redeem the gift’s value are not really gifts, they’re deals. You don’t want to be the one who gave your colleague a deal for Christmas.