Gag gift for a colleague that is moving on

momz · Jan 18, 2017

I have been invited to a dinner for a colleague that is moving to a new job. The organizer of the dinner is having it at the Cheesecake Factory and she wants us to bring a silly gift to see her off. But, the organizer has asked my opinion of us all wearing foam fingers (like at a sporting event) that say "team (coleague's name)".

I feel quite self conscious about doing that. Am I being a stick in the mud, or do you think this is a bit LOUD as well?

Do you have any suggestions as to what to do instead? We are all advanced practice nurses. So, professionals who may or may not run into our own patients when we are out and about on any given day.

sam_gordon · Jan 18, 2017

momz said:
I have been invited to a dinner for a colleague that is moving to a new job. The organizer of the dinner is having it at the Cheesecake Factory and she wants us to bring a silly gift to see her off. But, the organizer has asked my opinion of us all wearing foam fingers (like at a sporting event) that say "team (coleague's name)".

I feel quite self conscious about doing that. Am I being a stick in the mud, or do you think this is a bit LOUD as well?

Do you have any suggestions as to what to do instead? We are all advanced practice nurses. So, professionals who may or may not run into our own patients when we are out and about on any given day.

I don't get the phone finger thing, but don't really have a problem with it. I don't understand what running into patients has to do with anything.

Minnesota! · Jan 18, 2017

I don't see anything wrong with the finger thing, but I don't see how it ties in...

And, as a (frequent) patient, I would not think twice if I saw my nurse out having fun. You ARE human, right?

diznygirl · Jan 18, 2017

The Cheesecake Factory is not a sports bar. I would not want to see a large group waving foam fingers. I think you would IMMEDIATELY alienate surrounding diners and risk causing a scene.

I don't see the need for them at all.

Kellydelly · Jan 18, 2017

This doesn't seem like the type of occasion that calls for gag gifts. I think your friend should rethink that idea.

Wishing on a star · Jan 18, 2017

Not being a stick-in-the-mud... But with the occasion and the venue, the whole gag-gift and foam finger thing does just seem 'off' and a little much.
I think your coworker has good intentions, but is a little off track???
I wouldn't want to be the one to try to say that to them.

Pea-n-Me · Jan 18, 2017

Yeah, the foam fingers, idk about, lol. I think a nice framed picture of everyone together is always a welcome gift.

Christine · Jan 18, 2017

I'm sorry, it just sounds stupid. I like Pea-n-Me's suggestion of the group picture. I actually treasure those types of gifts over the other stuff. My boss just retired (we are a HUGE organization), and we did a memory book for her through Shutterfly. Just pictures taken over the years of her tenure of all the employees caught kind of randomly. It was really nice.

AppleDumpling · Jan 18, 2017

Not a big fan of gag gifts. I'm more practical and see them as kind of a waste. What would you/she do with all the foam fingers afterwards?

In this situation, I think treating the guest of honor to dinner is the gift. If you want to make her feel a bit more special, get some balloons and tie them to her chair. You can get one or two mylars with an appropriate message, i.e., "Goodbye", "Good luck" or "We'll miss you".

disykat · Jan 18, 2017

I have no problem with silly gifts, but huge foam fingers is way too showy for my taste. Does the guest of honor enjoy that kind of attention?

SMD · Jan 18, 2017

I think that when a restaurant accepts a reservation for a large group, or a party they know that there may be noise. If another patron sees all of the tables pushed together they can also surmise there may be noise, presents passed around, pictures being taken and general celebration. They can ask to be seated elsewhere if that will be an issue. I wouldn't worry about that aspect of it.

If you don't want to get a gag gift, bring a different gift. I think we've all been to parties where there isn't 100% compliance on gift directives. If you don't want to wear the foam finger, just respond to the request for feedback that you wouldn't be comfortable with that. If they decide to do it anyway, don't wear the finger if you don't want to.

momz · Jan 18, 2017

sam_gordon said:
I don't get the phone finger thing, but don't really have a problem with it. I don't understand what running into patients has to do with anything.

Minnesota! said:
I don't see anything wrong with the finger thing, but I don't see how it ties in...

And, as a (frequent) patient, I would not think twice if I saw my nurse out having fun. You ARE human, right?

The issue I have with running into our patients is that waving around a foam finger at the Cheesecake Factory isn't exactly dignified.

I made the suggestion to get her a nice frame and take a group picture while we're there. I hope this suggestion is well received.

Kaytie · Jan 19, 2017

Amazon sells packs of five inch foam fingers that fit on one finger. They say We're #1 but you might be able to stick labels with her name over the word. Decent compromise. They also have this https://www.amazon.com/Dream-big-ke...4806546&sr=8-46&keywords=Going+away+gift&th=1 It's a key chain with an inspirational word or to, and a card with an appropriate quote. Use the dropdown menu - there are 36 choices.

xlxo · Jan 19, 2017

Check out this website for some gag gift poster ideas.....
https://despair.com/collections/posters

tvguy · Jan 19, 2017

diznygirl said:
The Cheesecake Factory is not a sports bar. I would not want to see a large group waving foam fingers. I think you would IMMEDIATELY alienate surrounding diners and risk causing a scene.

I don't see the need for them at all.

Every time I have been to our Cheesecake factory, there is a large and noisy group there celebrating. Never thought about it until you mentioned it, but Cheesecake factory is very much like a sports bar.

DisAuntie · Jan 19, 2017

tvguy said:
Every time I have been to our Cheesecake factory, there is a large and noisy group there celebrating. Never thought about it until you mentioned it, but Cheesecake factory is very much like a sports bar.

I don't know what kind of sports bars they have in California, but Cheesecake Factory is NOTHING like sports bars here. The comparison is laughable.

tvguy · Jan 19, 2017

DisAuntie said:
I don't know what kind of sports bars they have in California, but Cheesecake Factory is NOTHING like sports bars here. The comparison is laughable.

Wow, your Cheese Cake Factory must be different than ours. Like I posted, never thought of the sports bar comparison, but is sure fits. Lots of groups celebrating birthdays and engagements and retirements and graduations. Always loud in there with people celebrating. Sorry you feel that it is laughable. Their bar menu is enormous.

Christine · Jan 19, 2017

DisAuntie said:
I don't know what kind of sports bars they have in California, but Cheesecake Factory is NOTHING like sports bars here. The comparison is laughable.

Where I live, it's certainly not like sports bar, but it's also loud and kind of a relaxed, non-stuffy atmosphere, so it wouldn't shock me to see something like that.

ronandannette · Jan 19, 2017

momz said:
The issue I have with running into our patients is that waving around a foam finger at the Cheesecake Factory isn't exactly dignified.

I made the suggestion to get her a nice frame and take a group picture while we're there. I hope this suggestion is well received.

I'm just guessing, but maybe there is some "inside joke" relating to the foam fingers? These things can be cute and sweet and very meaningful to people who have journeyed together for a length of time. If so, I'd participate just to be a good sport even if it means having to "get over myself" a little. As for the issue of your dignity, a PP upthread put it well when she said that your patients assume you are a normal human being, if they think of you much at all. Not sure what other image you believe they would have, or why you feel it would diminish you.

Canooknic · Jan 19, 2017

Our Cheesecake Cafe is always hosting some sort of group gathering, which is why I only go there for brunch (not that I'm a huge fan of the place, but if I go I'll avoid the extra noise)
I'm assuming your colleague doesn't want the sentimental type gifts (I specifically requested no flowers when I left work and got 3 HUGE bouquets!) so was looking for a fun option.
I'm sure the group photo would be lovely, but I personally would stick it in a drawer and never look at it. Do you have some fun photos?? Like Christmas Party selfie type things?? I would have loved a collage of shots like that because it would make me smile when I looked at it!!

Gag gift for a colleague that is moving on

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Shoeless in Minnesota

I have a symmetry thing

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

This person totally gets me

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Question anything the facts don't support.

Mouseketeer

Question anything the facts don't support.

DIS Veteran

I gave myself this tag and I "Like" myself too!

DIS Veteran

Share this page