Budget Employee Gifts

[burberryplaid]

I became a supervisor this year and want to get my team a little something.

There are 7 ladies total on my team. (Our boss will get a separate gift)

Ideas? What are you doing for your employees?

 

[clh2]

I realize that this is the Disboards, and this forum is related to the mouse.

That aside - I would not want a souvenier of my boss's trip as a Christmas present.

What about a GC to Starbucks?

 

[Kellydelly]

I think you should rethink your idea. A giftcard to a local restaurant would probably be much more appreciated. Only a select few would want Disney themed ornaments as a gift.

 

[Mickeyflower]

I've done several different things.

1) Mini stockings, glittered their name on it and stuffed it with mints, Hershey kisses, a pen and a mini bag of M&M's.

2) Baked cookies and put them in a Christmas treat bag with a small ornament on the outside (usually the smallish colored balls and again, glittered their name on it) tied with a ribbon.

3) Skipped the gifts, we all picked a day or evening and went out to dinner.

Those are all I can remember right now LOL! I think they will all be very appreciative that you thought to do anything at all. My boss used to bring us back a little key chain, or a coaster or some small token anytime she went anywhere and we loved it. We thought it was very thoughtful. You could do the mickey ornament and a candy cane. When I gave gifts to my girls, they LOVED IT. Nobody else did it (LARGE company) so they felt really special! I'm sure whatever you decide, will be appreciated for the thoughtfulness behind it.

 

[Tinknalli]

I got my girls some stationary/planner type sets at Michael's for less than $5 and will probably add some edible treats. I would also veto Disney items unless they are all as into Disney as you.

 

[englishteacha]

I got my coworkers the little boxes of Whitman's chocolates this year. We're on a very tight budget for Christmas, and it's just a token, but as middle school teachers, we all NEED chocolate sometimes!

 

[brekin67]

I did little survival kits one year, and they were very popular.

I bought a few packs of 4 very tiny red fabric bags. They were $1 for the pack of 4 at Dollar Tree. I put in a paperclip (to hold things together when they seem to be falling apart) a marble (in case you lose yours) a penny (so you will never be broke) a candle (so you will always shine brightly) a rubberband (to remind you to be flexible) a Hershey Chocolate hug and kiss ( so you will always have a hug and a kiss when you need it) then a very small slip of paper was rolled inside that said the significance of each item in the bag.

I think each bag probably cost less than $1 per person.

http://www.copdandsomuchmore.com/chriskit.html The every day kit might be good for you.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/crafts/msg102247356888.html more to choose from.

 

[gracie1]

I am actually going to bake treats for my staff. It's cheap and easy and they love my baking

 

[cuterlt]

I shop for 18 staff members, male and female. My tradition is to get a pair of socks for each, and fill them with stocking stuffers. You can get some nice packs from JCPenney of the fuzzy socks, and even slipper socks for cheap with coupons. I fill them with chapstick (avon is great!), lotions, antibacterial soap, nail files, microwave popcorn, cocoa mix, etc. Sometimes, a nice set of silverware they can use at work, and a big mug to heat soup in, or plastic plate they can use for lunch. I usually shop year round for sales.
I try to spend under $10 per person.

 

[rachel09985]

I second a $5 gift card to Starbucks maybe with someone else small. Chocolate or something. Thats what I would want.

 

[jedijill]

I have a team of 14 guys that work for me. I make a huge batch of different Christmas candy one weekend and it is much appreciated by them.

Jill in CO

 

[Gigi22]

Small boxes of Ferraro Rocher chocolates are a nice small present. I have also given a plain white coffee mug filled with Hershey kisses from the bulk store, wrapped up with saran briefly heated with a hair drier to snug up the saran, and tied with a bow. I have purchased a larger box of chocolates for a group of people at the office, and have sent each individual at a distant office a $5 gift certificate for a local coffee shop. Your mileage may vary. It really depends on your budget, the number of people, and appropriateness.

 

[Forevryoung]

I did little survival kits one year, and they were very popular.

I bought a few packs of 4 very tiny red fabric bags. They were $1 for the pack of 4 at Dollar Tree. I put in a paperclip (to hold things together when they seem to be falling apart) a marble (in case you lose yours) a penny (so you will never be broke) a candle (so you will always shine brightly) a rubberband (to remind you to be flexible) a Hershey Chocolate hug and kiss ( so you will always have a hug and a kiss when you need it) then a very small slip of paper was rolled inside that said the significance of each item in the bag.

I think each bag probably cost less than $1 per person.

http://www.copdandsomuchmore.com/chriskit.html The every day kit might be good for you.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/crafts/msg102247356888.html more to choose from.

I LOVE IT!

I work at a highly stressful job where we are all truly under appreciated. This is perfect.

 

[englishteacha]

My first day as a teacher I received one of those "survival kits" on my desk. It made my day, and I've never forgotten it.

 

[VandVsmom]

Not to sound ungreatful, but if my boss gave me a bunch of random stuff, I'd smile, say thank you and consider spitting into her coffee.

I'd rather get a $5 card to Starbucks or a paid lunch than more tiny little junk.

I would most certainly NOT appreciate a "survival kit" or a single ornament that may not go with my Christmas decorating. I know DH would probably throw almost any of that stuff out in front of you as he left the office.

 

[burberryplaid]

Thanks for the ideas guys...maybe the Disney stuff would not go over so well..,

Maybe some $5 Dunkin Donuts cards and baked goods instead.... (Dunkies is more readily accessible here & they could probably get 2 cups of coffee there instead of one at Starbucks)

Thanks again for the ideas!

 

[rnorwo1]

I'm a supervisor also and love my team So wanted to do something special. I just opened a kohls credit card and bought a bunch of gifts and things we needed using a discount code (got some amazing deals) and I'm going to buy the small keurig for the whole office with the kohls cash I earned. With the 15% off coupon they gave me and the KC, I should only spend about $10 out of pocket and I think they're going to love it.

 

[Marionnette]

An affordable holiday gift for your staff does not have to be cheap. How about doing breakfast for them. Buy some festive napkins and a tablecloth at the dollar store. Add some plain plastic plates and matching cups. Buy a couple of different juices and put them in glass pitchers. Get some flavored coffee creamers and some good coffee. Then order a couple of platters of danish from BJ's.

If you want to personalize the gift, get small boxes of chocolates and write each employee a short note of appreciation to go with it.

And not to sound unappreciative, but I agree with VandVsmom. A little sack of whatnots might be nice for a coworker but it's not a good gift for a supervisor to give to their staff.

 

[Diegosmom]

I'm a supervisor also and love my team So wanted to do something special. I just opened a kohls credit card and bought a bunch of gifts and things we needed using a discount code (got some amazing deals) and I'm going to buy the small keurig for the whole office with the kohls cash I earned. With the 15% off coupon they gave me and the KC, I should only spend about $10 out of pocket and I think they're going to love it.

I would love this...my boss does not know how to make coffee and he always gets to work before me so I can either throw it out and start over (but he would question me), suffer thru the cup (and lately it has become even more horrible), or not drink coffee...

But keep in mind the k-cups are quite expensive...about .50 each. Will the office pay for that?

To OP I think the Disney chocolate is fine because well it is chocolate but I would pass on anything else disney...a $5 giftcard sounds great.

I dont have anyone under me at work but I always do something for my bosses and 1-3 coworkers. First year it was a bottle of booze and scratch tickets (they drink at the office starting around 3:30 so they loved this gift, especially since they buy cheap booze and I bought them something a little more expensive). The last year or 2 I have just bought some chocolate and made some baked goods and did up bags (1 year it was a coffee mug).

 

[crashbb]

Not to sound ungreatful, but if my boss gave me a bunch of random stuff, I'd smile, say thank you and consider spitting into her coffee.

I'd rather get a $5 card to Starbucks or a paid lunch than more tiny little junk.

I would most certainly NOT appreciate a "survival kit" or a single ornament that may not go with my Christmas decorating. I know DH would probably throw almost any of that stuff out in front of you as he left the office.

I have to admit that I have the exact same thought. Though, unlike your DH, I would not throw it out in sight of the person giving the gift.

I bring in baked goods during the lead up to Christmas. My boss gave me some chocolate and a Tim Hortons Gift Card (we're in Canada).