Gifts For Boss

Employees had been increasingly troubled by Gingrich's Tiffany purchases

Employees of presidential candidate Newt Gingrich grew increasingly concerned in recent years about their boss’s purchases from luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co ., worried that if he followed through on plans to run for president it could become a political liability.

The purchases included jewelry items valued as much as $300,000 for his wife’s Christmas gifts, selected each year during a fall Potomac River cruise sponsored by the jeweler. On a smaller scale, Gingrich spent about $40,000 over four years buying Tiffany trinkets as Christmas gifts for up to 100 employees, according to three former employees who asked not to be named because of the issue’s sensitivity.

The former employees agreed to be interviewed by the The Washington Post to explain how staff concerns mounted about Gingrich’s spending and his relationship with Tiffany . All three said they admire Gingrich but question his judgment.

Politico reported a month ago that Gingrich and his wife maintained a $250,000 to $500,000 personal credit line at Tiffany in 2005 and 2006, which was acknowledged in financial disclosure forms filed by Callista Gingrich, a former congressional staffer.

The Gingrich campaign recently confirmed to The Post that Gingrich maintained a second Tiffany credit line for $1 million, which will be listed on his presidential candidate financial disclosure forms. But a spokesman said Gingrich has no debt with the company.

Gingrich’s Tiffany spending has been questioned by his Republican opponents. He has offered few details of his relationship with the jeweler or the purchases made.

Gingrich campaign communication director Joe DeSantis declined to address the details offered by the employees, and dismissed their accounts as trivial.

“Class warfare does not create jobs,” he said in a written statement. “Newt’s Jobs and Prosperity Plan will.”

The former employees said Gingrich’s gift-giving at first was regarded as a sign of his generosity. At annual Christmas dinners for employees, small Tiffany boxes wrapped in white ribbon were left at each place setting, each containing gifts costing roughly $100 or more.

The Gingriches were generous to staff in other ways, typically contributing up to 20 percent of each staffer’s salary to their pension funds and giving a minimum year-end bonus of 20 percent of base salary — often much more.

What gift is more appropriate for my boss (male employee female ...

Well I like the gift basket idea best but don’t think wine is appropriate for work place. Since they were fairly close maybe he knows her hobbies or favorite place, favorite food, favorite restaurant. Is there a local day spa, if so, how about a gift certificate for a long day of pampering….”To the best boss, who doesn’t take enough time for herself, you deserve more, thanks for all you’ve done, name”

Whatever he thinks is appropriate. If she isn’t a drinker no wine. If she is allergic to pollen, avoid the bouquet. If she is overweight avoid the chocolate. If your boyfriend has no information on her preferences, play it safe as the other poster said and go with Edible basket of goodies

I think it would depend more on the delivery than the actual gift, as to if it was deemed inappropriate or not.

Now, back I go to spam that tarded question I was on :

A gift certificate to a fine eating establishment. Flowers (she may be allergic to, can’t eat candy or is on a diet..have to be careful with those things. Also with the gift certificate she can purchase what she wants, or tickets to a concert he knows she might like…Congrats on the new employment, and he seems like a very thoughtful person, good for him…thank you…….

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