Gifts from your boss

[gracie1]

A Christmas bonus. OK ok, thats from the company at large, but he also will take us out for a holiday lunch which is always very appreciated. We forward the phone to one of us and walk to a restaurant within walking distance (downtown office). He covers drinks as well - my office has no policy other than "the work comes first" as far as that goes - we have kegs on every floor. It certainly strengthens the team bond when we get to do stuff like that together and makes us all jolly!

What kind of work do you do? The only companies I know of with kegs are construction and roofers!

 

[disneychrista]

Do you think guys like bottles of wine like the girls do?

Not all girls like wine. I know a lot of girls who don't and a lot who don't drink.

What kind of work do you do? The only companies I know of with kegs are construction and roofers!

And breweries

 

[pryncess527]

Or if you have the power, allow everyone a half day off, or a leave early on Friday afternoon, etc. Especially if this is something that the employees are not normally free to do.

Ditto. There is NOTHING I love more than free time off. Especially this time a year, when we are slow at work and busy in our real lives, every extra hour counts.

I'd order in lunch one afternoon and then send them all home early after their free lunch. Lunch could be cheap easy pizza/sandwiches, or an actual trip out of the office to a restaurant, depending on your budget.

 

[SEA333]

aarrgh!

I have to do this this week as our holiday party is this week.

I have almost 200 to do 'something' for.

I have 7 immediate supervisors under me.

Then I have 2 bosses over me.

It's not easy. It's not so much the cost as the time and energy.

In your situation, as an employee, I think what I would want the most is for you to acknowledge that I am as important as you are, as would be evident in the "something" you are obligated to do that takes the "time and energy".

As with any business, I am positive at least a few of the 200 have done something to save your behind at one point or another. Appreciation at the holidays is appreciated!

-Unless, of course, you are boss of the year and I have completely missed the tone of your post. In that case, my sincere apologies.

**Merry Christmas/Have a fun Kwanza/Happy Holidays/Have a great Hannukkah/insert your own greeting "here"**

 

[TnTWalter]

I like the lunch idea...

I also like the coffee machine idea...you could get everyone a different mug to go with it...

What about car wash certificate? Where I live Mike's Express/Crew is popular. $8 per wash. You could buy everyone a wash [probably a discount for multi-purchase too].

 

[solfan68]

Part of a group of seven. Many years the boss has taken us to lunch at a place like Applebees or Red Robin.

 

[aclov]

My boss gets us alcohol but not everyone drinks

 

[tennisfan]

We get nothing from our boss or the company we work for

 

[gracie1]

Do you think guys like bottles of wine like the girls do?

Being a female - I don't drink wine at all. If given alcohol if rather have a bottle of rum or beer

 

[AquaDame]

What kind of work do you do? The only companies I know of with kegs are construction and roofers!

Advertising - not quite like Mad Men but close enough

 

[Iowajes]

I've never received a gift from a boss. I've had a boss bring bagels in though. That's always nice (except when I'm on a diet, and spend all day trying not to go get a bagel.)

I would not do alcohol or lottery tickets as gifts for everyone in a large group. Drinking and gambling hold too many issues for some people; you would need to know specifically that these gifts are okay for who you are giving them to. (So if you have a small team you know well, then it could be appropriate.)

Being taken out to lunch would be nice too- but my boss works in a different state

I think a gift card to something like amazon is the best way to go. (Of course, if it has to be taxed, I kind of hate that. One of my companies gave us all a small bonus on gift cards, and then it was taxed. So I was forced to spend the money at a specific place, but had to pay for that money. If it had just been added to our paycheck that would have been way better!)

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I work a small family owned business.

We receive local commemorative ornaments, lunch and bonus equal to 2+ weeks of wages.

I am thrilled and very thankful.

 

[flea1267]

I am very blessed, I work for 4 attorneys and they generally each give me a $100 Disney gift card -- they know that's my additction

I think gift cards are great, if you can't afford a lot - just do like $5 to Starbucks, they can get a coffee drink or a pasty treat if they don't drink coffee.

 

[hops&dreams]

my husband's boss gives everyone a gift card to WalMart. We're not Wal Mart shoppers, but we do shop at Sam's, and use that gift card every year for a nice bottle of bourbon or another top-shelf liquor.

I've gotten gift cards to Subway, Restaurant.com (pain in the butt to use!), and a car wash. I liked the car wash - Perfect to get the salt off before everyone in their Christmas finery gets in and out of the car, you know?

My sister's boss gives a pair of movie tickets for each employees birthday. I think if you buy in bulk they are really affordable.

I've also gotten a coupon book (a local version of Entertainment books). It's nice because it helps out all year long.

 

[weeniecat2442]

the best gift I ever got from a boss was while I was working at a huge law firm in manhattan. one of the attorneys I worked for gave me a gift certificate to an amazing spa in Brooklyn. I got to spend a half day there relaxing and being pampered. I had just been sick for several months so it was very thoughtful and very much appreciated! I believe the other three attorneys gave me money or gift cards.

I now work at a much small firm, probably under 40 people total. they are wonderful to us. we will leave early xmas eve, we close at noon next week for our xmas party at a great bar downtown near us which will have an open bar and im also told they give out holiday bonuses to everyone. hopefully that part is still true!

I LOVED the suggestion someone made about the chair masseuse coming in. food and getting out early are always winners in my book. wine too

 

[frenzy70]

I know a few friends employers who buy a turkey or ham for gifts. They get a discount from the grocery store for buying in bulk

 

[nene0182]

Im at a new job this year and I've heard we normally close around 2 on Christmas Eve which is great after working until 6pm the last two years. At other jobs in the past I've received small giftcards, a $50 bill, catered lunches, and small boxes of chocolate from a local candy place. My husband works for a company that gives everyone a turkey and a $25 Target giftcard which I think is generous considering the number of employees they have. Since he is management, we don't receive a turkey but do get a sizable Target giftcard which always comes in handy and their yearly bonus is given the first week of December

 

[figment52]

Advertising - not quite like Mad Men but close enough

that was my guess....

 

[Pamlur]

On the 23rd, we will have a food truck park outside our warehouse area; everybody can order what they want (even seconds) and we "run a tab" and write a check. We'll have soft drinks and bottled water in coolers, and everybody gets a cash Christmas bonus.

I'm the boss, but I don't personally give gifts. I was thrown into this position, but the previous bosses did less than I do.

 

[Gabe's Mom]

I work for a medium size health system. This year I am in a clinic where I am the only provider (nurse practitioner). I did cash ($50 each) for the 5 staff members that work with me in our office. Easier than shopping, but it does add up!