Registry Guidance: Secret Santa

The $50 limit was respected. Nothing else was.

Workplace gift exchanges are a recognized filing channel. The certificate is personalized, which means Steve has to explain it at the next all-hands. HR has been copied.

$49.99 framed, personalized, free U.S. shippingor the print on its own, $19.99

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Official Ruling, Docket 12-25

Kevin from Accounting filed. Steve from Accounting is the subject.

The Registry recognizes the office gift exchange as a filing window that opens the Monday after Thanksgiving and closes when the last reply-all goes out. The giver, the boss, or the whole department goes on the Authorized Rights Holder line. The recipient is the Subject of Authorized Operations, dated to the party. Exclusive. Perpetual. Framed. Opened in front of everyone.

Steve opened it at the conference table. Kevin did not change his expression. The department has not stopped talking about it. The certificate hangs in Steve's cubicle, where he has been asked about it by two clients and one auditor.

Record Status: Active. HR has reviewed the filing and has no comment.

Who holds the rights to Steve

Three ways the office files.

All three print on the same certificate. All three stay under the limit.

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The Coworker

The Coworker

Authorized Rights Holder: Kevin from Accounting. Drew Steve's name, respected the limit, left the rest to the Registry. Hangs in Steve's cubicle, where clients have asked.

The Boss

The Boss

Authorized Rights Holder: the boss, in her official capacity. Presented in the corner office with a straight face. Received like a performance review. Technically, it is one.

The Department

The Department

Authorized Rights Holder: Accounting. All eleven of them chipped in. Presented at the all-hands. Steve stood for it. The applause was sincere.

Procedure

How the paperwork gets filed

01

Draw a name

Someone's name goes on the Subject of Authorized Operations line. The exchange decided it. The Registry does not interfere.

02

File before the party

Enter the holder and the subject. Pick a frame. The certificate fills in before you pay. Allow 1 to 2 weeks, so file by December 12.

03

Open it in front of everyone

Conference table, break room, holiday party. Respect the price limit. Respect nothing else.

Bylaws

Office gift exchange bylaws, as adopted by the Authority

  1. The price limit is respected. $49 is under $50. The Registry checked.
  2. The certificate is opened in front of the group. Private openings are not recognized and are, frankly, a waste.
  3. It hangs at the subject's desk through the end of Q1. Clients may ask. The subject may not explain.
  4. HR is copied on every filing. HR has never replied. HR has never needed to.
  5. The subject draws a name next year. The Registry notes that memories are long and the certificate is reorderable.

Other filings

Fantasy FootballLast Place Gets CertifiedGet Certified →AnniversaryTwelve Years, Still ActiveGet Certified →Bachelor PartyThe Groomsmen Filed on Her BehalfGet Certified →BacheloretteShe Gets the Rights, He Gets the FrameGet Certified →Gag Gifts for Any OccasionThe Authority Does Not Require a ReasonGet Certified →

File before December 12.

One certificate, personalized with the giver and the recipient, framed and shipped ready for the exchange. Under the limit. Over the line.

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