Budget Employee Gifts

[burberryplaid]

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 WISH I could get the office a Keurig..the coffee in the cafe is horrible but we can't have any electrics in the office cause someone blew something up in a microwave so they but a ban on it!

Breakfast sounds nice but we have a luncheon for the entire department and we'll probably have a team pot luck as well...way too much food gets thrown around on the holidays.

And just to clear the air I WILL NOT be doing the Disney thing. The last thing I need is someone to spit in my coffee. I wouldn't want to offend anyone and I don't want anyone to think they are not appreciated.

 

[Green Tea]

Write a personal note to each noting something you really value about their service to the company, along with the Dunkin Donuts card.

I agree with the others; I would rather have a small value gift card for food or treats than a gift of "something"

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I work in an office with about 25 employees and our boss always gives us each a bottle of wine at Christmas. It's nice because I can either drink it or bring it to a holiday dinner/party. We have a few staff members who do not drink alcohol but they are psyched about the wine anyway because it is very re-giftable. Ha.

 

[Evi]

I think its important to understand budget constraints and the current economy. If your not giving bonuses or a holiday staff party I think a great thing would be to do a breakfast set up of fresh fruit some yogurts and bagels with a few fixings and coffee/juice would go over well. I would also include a table with coffee and a few snacks for throughout the day it need not be super expensive just thoughtful and good quality. Small incentives that show staff you care go along way. I would also do a handwritten holiday card for each staff member. Perhaps you could coordinate an office holiday swap with a small dollar amount but make it fun. Having some down time during the holiday season will help your staff be more productive. It could be longer lunch hour one day or letting staff go home a little early etc lets your staff know you realize they have families and an outside life. I get that your a group within a group but you could pick up a togo box of joe just for your area.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I really like the breakfast idea with a nice assortment of "treat" and healthy foods. I think that is a better idea than individual gifts.

 

[SDSorority]

I think I'm doing this for my co-workers this year.

http://youtu.be/cWD3jlh-kws

I'm also going to tie an ornament on the bag, too.

 

[Julia M]

I work at a school site and give gifts to about 45 people. Last year I lucked into a sale at Target...90% off. The teachers/SLP's/Psych are getting homemade gift baskets with a set of nice cookie cutters, sprinkles, cake mix and frosting. The cookie cutters were $10 (and cost me $1). I figure they can use at home, or in their classroom (its a preschool program) with the kids.

I also found a bunch of holiday jewelry...the same thing...originally $7-$10. Those are going to the aides.

The guys are an exception...they are getting candy.

I am also giving out nice note cards to the others...I usually get at Marshall's, and spend about $4 per person....these are sets in cardboard boxes, nicely wrapped.

Last year I bought scone mix at Cost Plus. That seemed to be popular. If you are a member, there are lots of spend $30, get $10 off coupons around the holidays. so it was reasonable. As I recall, the mixes were on sale for $4, from $5.

Another year I did do Starbucks GC...$5 each, but interestingly, those were the least popular. I think because we have a Starbucks at our corner, and the staff goes frequently, so it wasn't a "treat"

I also make lunch for our training day in December for the whole staff. I make big pans of ziti pasta, salad and bread, plus dessert. This year the dessert is toffee (because I just learned how to make it!) and dipped oreos, along with dipped pretzels. I can make over Thanksgiving and they will last well until that Wednesday (when the luncheon is)

Julia

 

[Mom_Rides]

I have 5 ladies under me and 3 additional workers in our office. Last year I gave all the ladies in the office the mini hand santizers from Bath and Body with the little purse holders. I picked a different scent and holder for each of them. I put them in a little gift bag with some chocolates (Dove) and a lotto scratch off. For the 2 guys in the office, I gave them giant candy bars with the lotto ticket taped on it. I also gave each one a Christmas card and wrote a personal note in each one telling each of them how much I appreciate what they bring to the team.

This year, I plan to make everyone their own little box of homemade goodies: fudge, reindeer nose cookies, turtle cookies, etc. And I will do the cards and the lotto ticket on the boxes as well.

Last year we also had a potluck of snacks on Christmas Eve. This year I plan to make a pumpkin roll and bring breakfast pizza on Christmas Eve since just a few of us will be working that morning.

 

[missycj96]

Around the holidays, dunkin donuts has sold ground coffee bags 4 for 20. Everyone likes that. Also, the bags of individually wrapped ghiradelli chocolate is nice. And who doesnt like a starbucks gift card?

 

[CookieGVB]

Last year I bought my floater staff Totes umbrellas. They were on sale and were pretty decent sized umbrellas. (Only the floaters got these from me, since the assigned secretaries generally get gifts from the lawyers). They still carry them, and I hear they were very well-received. Trying to think of something this year...I saw a necklace-type thing that holds ID/cardkey. May get that for everyone, unless I come up with something else.

 

[Tara922c]

I would not get your employees a Disney souvie as their Christmas present. First, many people are particular about their tree and would never put a mickey ordiment on it. Second, not all of them may even like Disney. Third, I just think it is a tad bit tacky to bring back a souvie from vacation and call it a Christmas present. (just my opinion, I would love a disney ordiment, but I know many people who would think it is tacky)

How about Starbuck gift cards? DD has 3 teachers and last year I bought each of them a 10 dollar gift card to starbucks. You could even do a 5 dollar gift card to starbucks. Another idea is one large gift basket to keep in the office for the team to share.