Vikas Yadav

So you work on Wall Street now and your company is doing a grab bag gift exchange. Making the right gift choice for a co-worker or boss can be a daunting task. Here's what to expect: grab bag gifts are usually exchanged during the office holiday party.

There are two types of grab bag exchanges. One is anonymous so that the recipient chooses an unmarked gift from a bag of gifts. The other is more like a Secret Santa gift exchange, where the giver chooses the name of his/her gift recipient in advance but remains anonymous until the gift is opened.

If you are the host of a party that participates in a grab bag exchange, there should be two firm rules: a price limit, and a caveat not to give clothing. Buying the wrong size is embarrassing, and inevitable. If one recipient is given a gift that costs $10.00, and another is given a gift that costs $50.00 you have a Christmas faux pas. It is better to decide on a price, or a price range, to avoid having hurt feelings or lasting repercussions in the workplace.

Now that you understand the ground rules here are some tips on making the right gift choice: grab bag gifts for the Wall Street professional should be both fun and useful.

If you're like me, the challenge lies in finding an appropriate yet memorable gift for a female co-worker; something that is not too personal but produces the right message. It should be a gift that says, "I appreciate the work you do."

A fancy box of candy, though easy to obtain, is not a good idea. First of all you may not know her tastes in candy and she could end up with a box of chocolate she doesn't like. Secondly, health concerns may preclude her from having candy or at least too much of it. So, think outside the fancy candy box.

Quality is immensely important when choosing your grab bag gift. This doesn't require spending a lot of money, necessarily, but it does require being thoughtful before purchasing. You could consider buying online, which is convenient, but be sure the company is reputable with a generous return policy.

Jewelry is my personal favorite gift for a female co-worker. It says, "I appreciate all you do for the company," and "Here's something I've chosen just for you." A well-chosen jewelry piece will certainly be appreciated by the recipient and doesn't have to break the bank. Don't buy cheap costume jewelry. There are many options available within the price range of $20.00 to $35.00. Take a moment to notice if your gift recipient has pierced ears, since most women like to have a large selection of earrings.

Consider jewelry that is unique in origin and design. It's possible to find imaginative artisan designs from overseas that are of excellent quality. One of the most striking characteristics of South American jewelry, for instance, is the vibrant colors in the materials used to make the jewelry. Purple shells, red and black seeds, silver drop beads, and other native materials on silver chains will hold special allure for your gift recipient.

Buy your grab bag gift with care, choose thoughtfully, and then enjoy the party and the merriment of the Holidays