Inexpensive gift ideas for coworkers????

[SharonZ]

I would do a pizza lunch or cookie tray, when I returned.

 

[4forWDW]

I bought a pack of coasters (I think there were 6 in a pack) and gave each coworker one. All of us have a coffee mug or water bottle on our desk all the time, so I knew they would be useful. They all know I'm Disney obsessed, so they didn't think I was rubbing their nose in my vacation etc.

 

[Julylady]

I have purchased a food item and left it in the breakroom with a nice note, leaving both Mickey chocolate covered pretzels and Disney taffy. I have also purchased a tin of Disney mints for each person ($3?) and put a note on the top "Thanks a mint for helping out while I was gone." Last, I have seen people purchase theater style boxes of candy ($1 at Target) and then tape a Thank You note around the outside of it. The nice thing about the boxes of candy was that you could purchase and make them before you even left on vacation!

 

[Skywalker]

I bought a pack of coasters (I think there were 6 in a pack) and gave each coworker one. All of us have a coffee mug or water bottle on our desk all the time, so I knew they would be useful. They all know I'm Disney obsessed, so they didn't think I was rubbing their nose in my vacation etc.

Disney coasters? While the thought is nice and it is something useful, I still wouldn't personally want something like that. If I am going to have something "decorative" in my office I would want it to be something that reflects my interests and tastes, not someone else's. No different if someone was a fan of say, NASCAR, and gave everyone a coaster. I would appreciate the thought, but it wouldn't be anything I'd really "want" on my desk.

Reminds me of something that happened in the office I worked in a few years ago. There was a lady that brought back these mugs for everyone, they were souvenirs from some trip she took to New York (they all had big red apples on them lol). That was nice of her but one day she jokingly scolded a co-worker because he had a different mug on his desk and he snapped at her something like "I dropped it on purpose because I am sick of reading I love NY everyday. I hate New York! And I hate apples!" LOL. Granted, there may have been other issues at play there lol.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Disney coasters? While the thought is nice and it is something useful, I still wouldn't personally want something like that. If I am going to have something "decorative" in my office I would want it to be something that reflects my interests and tastes, not someone else's. No different if someone was a fan of say, NASCAR, and gave everyone a coaster. I would appreciate the thought, but it wouldn't be anything I'd really "want" on my desk.

Reminds me of something that happened in the office I worked in a few years ago. There was a lady that brought back these mugs for everyone, they were souvenirs from some trip she took to New York (they all had big red apples on them lol). That was nice of her but one day she jokingly scolded a co-worker because he had a different mug on his desk and he snapped at her something like "I dropped it on purpose because I am sick of reading I love NY everyday. I hate New York! And I hate apples!" LOL. Granted, there may have been other issues at play there lol.

At my work people often bring back treats from places they have visited whether it's Mickey shaped cookies, salt water taffy from the shore, cookies from Italy, etc. It's not a specific thank you for filling in while that person is gone. Our work is a team effort and most of us are interchangable (hospital). Our staffing level allows one person off per day so no one does anyone any specific favor because we are minus one person. Someone is off every day.

All workplaces are different but if you really wanted to say thank you for working extra, as in a manager position, at our place cookies or chocolates wouldn't cut it.
Jmho.

 

[hoffman1]

I have done the packs of pens and treats to be shared.
One year I bought packs of the Mickey Christmas ornaments and gave everyone one.

 

[4forWDW]

Disney coasters? While the thought is nice and it is something useful, I still wouldn't personally want something like that. If I am going to have something "decorative" in my office I would want it to be something that reflects my interests and tastes, not someone else's. No different if someone was a fan of say, NASCAR, and gave everyone a coaster. I would appreciate the thought, but it wouldn't be anything I'd really "want" on my desk.

Reminds me of something that happened in the office I worked in a few years ago. There was a lady that brought back these mugs for everyone, they were souvenirs from some trip she took to New York (they all had big red apples on them lol). That was nice of her but one day she jokingly scolded a co-worker because he had a different mug on his desk and he snapped at her something like "I dropped it on purpose because I am sick of reading I love NY everyday. I hate New York! And I hate apples!" LOL. Granted, there may have been other issues at play there lol.

wow just wow

 

[tarheel618]

Sandwich ring, chips and drink at lunch.

food is always appreciated

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Maybe do the pens or lollipops which you buy in a pack.That would probably be within your budget.

Have a great trip.

 

[Alesia]

There are really only 3 good ways to show your appreciation to your employees or coworkers: cash, food, or booze.

 

[pfalcioni]

I think the easiest way to figure out what works is 1. What do other supervisors do in this situation? and 2. What would you like to receive if the situation were reversed and you were one of your workers?

 

[Zoesmama03]

Only a few times have I done it. One of the times I got a fridge magnet(who doesn't have a fridge) for my boss. One boss had gone to vegas and brought back small gifts for myself and other coworkers. It was a mini pack of playing cards.

Oh and I would also only get something for your closer coworker/friends and maybe your direct supervisor/boss.

 

[Zoesmama03]

I'd skip the Disney themed stuff- and just bring in donuts to thank them for their effort while you were out. SOMEONE in a group that large is likely to think you are rubbing their noses in your "expensive Disney vacation," question how you can afford it (you must make a LOT more!) and just be a general spoilsport about the whole thing. If morale happens to be bad because of a bad week, it could backfire.

Or this for everyone and just closer work friends get special little something based on their interests. That part is key. Should be something you know they are interested in or themed towards their interests.

 

[mommycrawford]

In the shop near TOT across from Beauty & the Beast theater, they used to have really cute metal tokens at the counter that were like wishing coins...they were cheap, but had heartfelt things on them, and a Mickey head cut out. you could put cord thuough them and make key chains. chokers, or tie a candy bag maybe. There are also Mickey head lollipops in bunches of 5, or Krispie treats, or those frosted character cookies...I know they are at Goofy's, but maybe someplace else.

 

[sarah4770]

If someone from work brought me hotel soap, I would think I smelled.
I would stick with the coffee and donuts or lunch.
This is just my opinion.. I don't think Disney themed gifts are appropriate at work unless you work AT Disney.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Agree with the it is a horrible idea to bring back FREE Disney crap some people might not want. If you get extra soap or shampoo give to a shelter, buttons offer to a teacher for kids in school to celebrate something. Why would an office staff want Disney soap or 'celebration button' from their supervisor's trip. The way to show appreciation is food or something like that. It is tacky to bring back crappy soap and buttons expecting them to say thanks. Now if it were kids that would be a great gift (maybe teachers returning from a trip and getting buttons for some kids in class, etc but not working adults).

 

[SMD]

Agree with the it is a horrible idea to bring back FREE Disney crap some people might not want. If you get extra soap or shampoo give to a shelter, buttons offer to a teacher for kids in school to celebrate something. Why would an office staff want Disney soap or 'celebration button' from their supervisor's trip. The way to show appreciation is food or something like that. It is tacky to bring back crappy soap and buttons expecting them to say thanks. Now if it were kids that would be a great gift (maybe teachers returning from a trip and getting buttons for some kids in class, etc but not working adults).

I think the appropriate way to show appreciation is to cover for someone else on their vacation. I work locally, so I always let my co-workers know I'll cover on holidays so that they can go home. I think food is really only they way to go if you work in an office where people regularly bring in food or pass out baked goods or something. I've had plenty of jobs where it would have been awkward given how the office was run.