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Managers have some of the hardest jobs in the world. Every day, they go to work knowing they will have to make tough decisions and pray they will not have to disappoint anybody for the day. Ethical and moral dilemmas are bountiful in positions of leadership. I do not want to talk about every day, though. I want to specifically talk about Christmastime and other winter holidays, when the line between appropriate and not-so-much becomes more likely to be crossed. It is polite to give presents, but impolite to assume too much of a friendship, not to mention the horrible times to be had should a person felt forgotten or unimportant. This is a guide to giving polite and appropriate presents to your employees.

Make a list

The first step, as usual, is to make a list. List every employee you feel deserves special attention and needs to get a present. Now expand the list to their close friends and those who are emotionally needy. The first people get presents, while the latter shall receive cards.

Set a budget

To avoid going out of business or giving one employee favoritism over another, decide how much you are going to spend on each person. A $5 limit is usually sufficient and $10 would be the highest I would recommend. Obviously, adjust this depending on where you plan to shop and how the local economy is. If a bookmark costs $10, feel free to spend $20.

Get cards first

Cards are a cheap way of covering every close friend and acquaintence, or even every employee company-wide. They cost between four for one dollar and three dollars, depending on where you buy them and if you get them in bulk. Generally, I recommend buying bulk, generic holiday-themed cards to save time and sanity. You may splurge on personalized cards if you so desire, though.

Design cards, too

If you would like to save money but want to show some folks that you care, do it by creating your own Christmas cards for the special few in your life. They will appreciate the personalized touch, especially if it is well-executed. Cards are also wonderful because they can be personalized inside depending on what you choose to write (never send a blank card).

Be sneaky

Hand out cards during one-on-one or quiet time, with few or no surrounding people. I recommend you avoid making a scene about giving out cards, and would prefer all to be quiet and polite about it. When you hand over a card, say, “I got this for you. Thank you for being such a great employee this year.”

Try gift cards

Gift cards have a few advantages in this situation. While family members should never receive gift cards, cards provide a personalized yet impartial attitude. If you know one of your employees is a bibliophile, get them a card for Barnes and Noble. If you know somebody else is addicted to clothes shopping, try a Kohl’s gift card. Everybody else can get a Visa universal gift card or similar. This is how I show that I listen without showing favoritism – I simply buy many cards in the same denomination.

Since there is always the risk of forgetting somebody, on the day you hand out cards, take an extra few just in case. You can sneak quickly back to your office and fill them out at your own convenience to avoid embarrassing either yourself or another.

What are your tips for remaining impartial when giving gifts to employees? How do you avoid choosing favorites and spending extra on some subordinates? Share in the comments.