Christmas gifts for employees

[powellrj]

What about something unisex like umbrellas, nice pens, gloves or flashlights?

 

[low-key]

The only thing I hate more at work then getting people a present , would be getting one

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I'd rather have a half day than a $15 GC. lol

 

[Chaoster]

How about movie tickets

 

[Immadismom]

I'd rather have a half day than a $15 GC. lol

We are salaried employees, so they get lots of comp time off, and I'm very flexible with their time.

 

[Immadismom]

What about something unisex like umbrellas, nice pens, gloves or flashlights?

These are all really good ideas. Thanks!

 

[pooh2001]

Gift cards are great.
I got an Amazon $15 gift card and bought the Pentatonix Christmas CD for $11 Still have $4 to spend on the Amazon gift card.

I also have been given Dunkin Donuts gift cards and gift cards to local restaurants.

Flowers are not always appreciated if you have a cat or dog who likes to eat them.
Plants are OK if the person has a green thumb, which I do not have.

 

[ronandannette]

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.

Just curious OP - is this something that you're required to do or just that you want to do? Also, what kind of gifts did you receive pre-promotion? Any good ideas there?

 

[Immadismom]

Just curious OP - is this something that you're required to do or just that you want to do? Also, what kind of gifts did you receive pre-promotion? Any good ideas there?

No requirement, since the company provides us a budget to take the team out to lunch. In the past I've gotten mugs, candles, calendars, socks & gift cards. Just small gifts from my prior bosses. But none of those, aside from the gift cards, seem appropriate for this group. I may just do the gift cards, and add an ornament or candy with it, to personalize a bit.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

I keep lists for practically everything including the one below, which I am constantly adding to as I see or think of new ideas. This comes with a HUGE disclaimer. No, not everyone would like all of these gifts. There are going to be people who hate cheeseboards or already own three. You know your group and what gift(s) might hopefully be more welcomed than others. These are simply suggestions.

Gift Ideas for People You Don't Know Very Well

• Stick with name brands such as Contigo tumblers.
• Blankets--A high quality, high end throw blanket for the home
• Cheeseboard (slate or higher end)
• Power banks--Everybody needs a power bank back up for their cell, but not the low end mAh ones. Give the good ones with lots of juice.
• Amazon gift cards
• Sports/picnic/outdoor blanket/packable down throw (some are waterproof on one side and others, like the packable down throw just provide warmth)
• Canvas totebag
• Unique playing cards or a modern board/card game like Hanabi or Sushi Go!
• Merino wool socks
• Earbuds
• Baking stone
• Local or specialty food items (tea, confections, gourmet salts or spices, hot sauce, olive oil, specialty vinegar, good vanilla, etc.)
• A good umbrella
• A journal or special notebook
• LCD Boogie Board
• New hand towels
• A movie ticket package
• Rume (or similar) tote bags (can be scrunched up in a pocket, but hold a lot)
• Matching dish towels
• Packing cubes or other travel items
• Pocket Leatherman
• Basil or other herb planted in a nice pot

Things to potentially avoid with someone you don't know well: alcohol (you can use sparkling cider in place of wine if you like), animal products, sometimes food or scented products like soaps or candles if there is the potential for allergies.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I only have 2 employees -- give them Amazon gift cards, along with a bag of homemade caramel corn.

 

[aprilgail]

My friend does a Caramel and chocolate covered apple from Kilwins and a scratch off lottery ticket for her staff.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I've done a lot of different things over the years. I got a great deal on Godiva gift baskets one year, but I've never seen a deal like that again. I've given a gift card for a movie in a popcorn container with traditional movie treats. I used to include an extra day off for the next year (or in January so I didn't have to track it all year), but that isn't an option anymore.

I've moved to a group meal the last few years. I've done breakfast, pizza, and a restaurant in different years. Last year, I bought myself a gift card on Black Friday to the restaurant to cut costs. I usually do a little happy to go with it - party favor size (personalized giant chocolate bar, for instance). One of our managers who has many more staff members than I do throws a hot chocolate party - she brings carafes of hot chocolate along with whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint, etc. to make it fancy. Right around Thanksgiving, I'm going to watch for Wendy's Frosty Key chains. I would like a year of free mini-Frostys!

 

[kirstenb1]

If you watch sales, you can find small Godiva treats on sale, starting before Thanksgiving. For casual friends/neighbors, I make candied pecans and put them in the Christmas bags with a bow.

 

[klacey1]

I keep lists for practically everything including the one below, which I am constantly adding to as I see or think of new ideas. This comes with a HUGE disclaimer. No, not everyone would like all of these gifts. There are going to be people who hate cheeseboards or already own three. You know your group and what gift(s) might hopefully be more welcomed than others. These are simply suggestions.

Gift Ideas for People You Don't Know Very Well

• Stick with name brands such as Contigo tumblers.
• Blankets--A high quality, high end throw blanket for the home
• Cheeseboard (slate or higher end)
• Power banks--Everybody needs a power bank back up for their cell, but not the low end mAh ones. Give the good ones with lots of juice.
• Amazon gift cards
• Sports/picnic/outdoor blanket/packable down throw (some are waterproof on one side and others, like the packable down throw just provide warmth)
• Canvas totebag
• Unique playing cards or a modern board/card game like Hanabi or Sushi Go!
• Merino wool socks
• Earbuds
• Baking stone
• Local or specialty food items (tea, confections, gourmet salts or spices, hot sauce, olive oil, specialty vinegar, good vanilla, etc.)
• A good umbrella
• A journal or special notebook
• LCD Boogie Board
• New hand towels
• A movie ticket package
• Rume (or similar) tote bags (can be scrunched up in a pocket, but hold a lot)
• Matching dish towels
• Packing cubes or other travel items
• Pocket Leatherman
• Basil or other herb planted in a nice pot

Things to potentially avoid with someone you don't know well: alcohol (you can use sparkling cider in place of wine if you like), animal products, sometimes food or scented products like soaps or candles if there is the potential for allergies.

These are some great ideas! I especially like the local/specialty food, totebag/reusable grocery bags, umbrella, and power bank suggestions!! Everyone can use a spare external battery charger, especially with how many devices most people have. I really like the Anchor brand on Amazon. And you can get them in different colors, which personalizes things a bit, especially if you know your employees' favorite colors.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I read an article once about gift giving that made what I thought were two good suggestions. You can give a gift that's personal to that individual OR you can give a gift that reflects your personality. Do you have a passion for plants? For all things musical? If your employees know that you have a certain passion, you can always share a small version of it at the holidays.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Our director gives us lottery tickets.

Our docs give us cash/checks.

 

[melanielll]

I vote lottery tickets or gas gift cards.

 

[McKelly]

I'd do a nice tin of nuts - vegan friendly. That would probably take up the whole budget there. If you can find a small container then you could add a 10.00 Starbucks or Amazon card.

Or, do you have a Costco membership? Soon, they will have these gift boxes of Popcornopolis popcorn that comes to less than 10.00 a gift, but you have to buy 10 I think. It's a popcorn container with five, different flavored popcorns in it.

 

[Kellydelly]

I would give $20 Darden mulit-brand restaurant gift card (the kind with Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, etc on the same card). That way they can use the card in the restaurant they like most. I think $10- $15 is kinda cheesy for a gift card. $20 shows you are actually trying to help them pay for a meal or lunch.