Christmas gifts for employees

[Immadismom]

In February of this year I was promoted to management and now lead a team of 6 employees. 5 are men ranging in ages from 30 - 60. One is a woman, late 40's. I am struggling with ideas of what to gift them for Christmas. Most managers do gifts in the $5 - 15 range. This is so hard! Any suggestions? One is a vegetarian and one is vegan, so even food gifts are tough.

 

[martikus]

I take everyone out to a holiday lunch. Something like longhorn or mellow mushroom since there are 10 of us. I also do a $5 Starbucks card with some xmas chocolate.

I've had no complaints and it has taken the stress off.

I also do $15 gift card for bday. Something generic like target or Starbucks unless I know for sure something they like. I tell them no gifts for me.

 

[klacey1]

In February of this year I was promoted to management and now lead a team of 6 employees. 5 are men ranging in ages from 30 - 60. One is a woman, late 40's. I am struggling with ideas of what to gift them for Christmas. Most managers do gifts in the $5 - 15 range. This is so hard! Any suggestions? One is a vegetarian and one is vegan, so even food gifts are tough.

What about a fancy bottle of olive oil and container Italian spices? That's vegan-friendly and works well as a treat that someone can enjoy himself or herself but wouldn't ordinarily buy or pull out as an emergency appetizer for unexpected guests.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

In February of this year I was promoted to management and now lead a team of 6 employees. 5 are men ranging in ages from 30 - 60. One is a woman, late 40's. I am struggling with ideas of what to gift them for Christmas. Most managers do gifts in the $5 - 15 range. This is so hard! Any suggestions? One is a vegetarian and one is vegan, so even food gifts are tough.

At my husband's old job they used to give cash bonuses at Christmas & Thanksgiving. Once it was determined that several of the bonuses weren't making it home, they switched to actual turkeys that had to be picked up at work and taken home. Then it was a certificate for a turkey. Then they went to gift cards from grocery stores.

I liked the gift cards best.

 

[VAfamily1998]

If alcohol is ok, what about a bottle of wine? Where I live (Virginia) there is a store called Total Wine, and they usually have a special around the holidays where you get a discount if you buy multiple bottles, maybe a store near you does similar specials? There are many nice wines that are only around $15/bottle.

If alcohol is not ok, I like the Martikus said about taking everyone out to lunch.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

At one point, I had a dept of 15 - to makes things easier and cheaper I sent a donation in their honor to a local charity that our company had worked with - it was a food pantry - it appeared to be appreciated- I also put the word out that I did not want them to do anything- there is no reason to "gift up"

 

[LYSE]

Starbucks gift cards are probably both the easiest and most welcome in that price range

 

[Skippy918]

Lunches out are always good. We always like when the boss takes the team out to lunch and pays.

 

[sam_gordon]

Starbucks gift cards are probably both the easiest and most welcome in that price range

I second the gift cards, but I wouldn't do Starbucks unless you know they like coffee. Same with the wine. I like the idea of dinner, but you're not going to keep that in the $5-15 range.

Gift cards from a local grocery store would be appreciated I think.

 

[kimblebee]

Please not wine or alcohol. As a non drinker, it would be a waste and I'd feel like my boss didn't know much about their employees.

 

[RedAngie]

I usually give a small candy gift (tiny box of Godiva chocolates, chocolate-covered pretzels, etc.) and a $50 gift card. It varies by year: supermarket, AMEX, Visa, etc.

These types can always be re-gifted if the recipient doesn't like like them.

 

[ashley0139]

Please not wine or alcohol. As a non drinker, it would be a waste and I'd feel like my boss didn't know much about their employees.

Unless the boss knows that everyone likes wine. You're talking about your specific situation.

 

[tvguy]

A $15 Visa or MasterCard gift card seems like the best solution.

 

[xjillianpaige]

I like to bake and make treats, so I usually do something along that line. One year I made "cookies in a jar" and provided all the dry ingredients for chocolate chip cookies in a mason jar + the recipe (what they needed to add for wet ingredients, cook time & temp). I gave that to my boss and co-workers. The next year I baked super thin, crispy chocolate chip cookies and packaged them up in a pretty wrapping. I don't think I did anything the third year, but last year I was in a supervisory position and I made "rudolph" noses with pretzels, hershey's kisses & hugs, and green & red m&ms and put them into a mason jar for my staff.

Starbucks or Dunkin' gift cards are always a safe bet around here (I get a lot of those from the families in my program).

 

[Skippy918]

Please not wine or alcohol. As a non drinker, it would be a waste and I'd feel like my boss didn't know much about their employees.

I agree with this.
One of my bosses likes to give us wine. I say thank you and give it to friends who will actually drink it. I only like the really sweet dessert wine.

 

[Marchand63]

I second the gift cards, but I wouldn't do Starbucks unless you know they like coffee. Same with the wine. I like the idea of dinner, but you're not going to keep that in the $5-15 range.

Gift cards from a local grocery store would be appreciated I think.

I bolded this because I go to Starbucks all the time, never get coffee. They sell great teas & smoothies too. Venti Green Iced tea with lemonade, unsweetened!!

I wouldn't do alcohol, lots don't drink. Those that do probably drink very specific wines or spirits.

GC for local small business or GC Visa so they can decide where to spend it.

 

[Immadismom]

Some great ideas here. Our company provides funds for me to take everyone to lunch, so we'll definitely be doing that. I just wanted to gift something additional from my own pocket. In the time I've worked at this company, I've had bosses gift me gift cards, Chick-Fil-A calendars, ornaments, mugs, candles, and even socks, to name a few. I'm just struggling with the odd mix of employees I have, since there is no one standard thing that will suit all.

 

[Micca]

Another fan of gift cards: Grocery store is a good idea, Amazon might be even better. It's not like they don't have almost everything you could think of. That's my favorite gift as there is always something I want from Amazon.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I always give gift cards to local restaurants. Also, because our warehouse is unheated, everyone gets a REALLY good pair of socks LOL

 

[ronandannette]

Well, here the ubiquitous choice would be a Tim Horton's card. A gift card of some sort (same for everybody) is most appropriate for your situation. At my workplace, management doesn't do gifts for their staff; our corporate over-lords decide on what, if any, holiday events and perks will be provided.