Need gift ideas for work-related function!

[clh2]

Every year, there is a week where I work where the employees are "honored" for their contributions. The company will pay for a gift for all employees in the department, but the people who need to "figure it out" are just out of ideas this year. The gift for each employee ideally would be in the $5 to $7 range.

In past years, they've done a Blockbuster's GC (along with microwave popcorn and candy), fleece blankets, logo'd coffee cups, the "fold-up chairs". I am forgetting 2 of the gifts, as this will be my 6th year at this company.

My boss doesn't want to do either gas GC's (because $7 doesn't buy much gas) or a movie GC (because it costs more than $7 to get into a movie.) And, we can't repeat any previous gift.

Does anyone have any great gift ideas for an inexpensive gift? The department has about 100 employees, and covers the purchasing staff,receiving staff, distribution techs, mailroom and patient transporters.

Thanks!

 

[Pungodingy]

my company did fleece jackets, gift cards to a local outlet mall, coffee mugs, a thermos, car emergency kits (w/flares/jumper cables, etc), gift certs to local resturants, pens, mini mag lights, pedometers, beach towels, hats...

 

[lovesmurfs]

Our company's done Panera gift cards, and Oberweis gift cards (local ice cream shop).

 

[Chickysmom]

what about something like a Starbucks gift card (dont' they have stuff other than just coffe?)....or a gift card to a smoothie/juice shop?

 

[soccerchick]

Can you hire a massuese (sp?) to come in and do 15 minute back rubs in one of those chairs you see at the malls sometimes? I'd love that. Not sure how many employees you have, but everyone could sign up for a time slot. If you have a massage school nearby, students usually have to practice in order to get their certificate/license.

Or, can you just have a nicer, catered lunch brought in with the $?

 

[clh2]

Can you hire a massuese (sp?) to come in and do 15 minute back rubs in one of those chairs you see at the malls sometimes? I'd love that. Not sure how many employees you have, but everyone could sign up for a time slot. If you have a massage school nearby, students usually have to practice in order to get their certificate/license.

Or, can you just have a nicer, catered lunch brought in with the $?

As part of this week, we have a virtual food fest. Many vendors bring in lunch, snacks etc in throughout the week. In addition, one day our department does a catered lunch - it'll be lasagna and other Italian goodies this year

There are approximately 100 employees in this department, so it would be too hard to coordinate back rubs.

 

[powellrj]

over the years we have gotten things like mag lites (I love those things), multi purpose almost like pocket knife kits, stress balls, really nice pen sets.

 

[p2oh]

I work for a company that has a promotions department so we have tons of catalogs around, some of the more popular items are stadium seats, watches, banks, pens, but by far the most popular is a lunch bag, it's not really a bag but a small cooler with hard sides, we get a lot of requests for those.

 

[OceanAnnie]

It would be neat if you could find a company that would match your GC price in exchange for advertising. Then you would have $10 GC. Or even a partial match would be good. You could negotiate with the manager the point that you have X dollars to spend on GC and are looking for a company to match that amount in exchange for advertising for a good cause. Then explain it's for appreciation of your local hospital employees. You could advertise on your goody bag (or you could include a pamphlet from them in the bag). Then you could do Home Depot or Lowe's GC, (I like them )restaurants, or something else on a little bit bigger scale.

It would be a win-win situation. (The stores/restaurants allot a certain amount for advertising.) They'd have a target group for advertising and you'd get double for your money! I've seen it done for groups in the past, mostly non-profit. Might be worth a shot.

It would be cool if it worked!

 

[jeepgirl30]

I'm an event planner for my company and order all ranges of gifts through out the year.

I have a great website I check for inspiration. PM me and I'll give you the link.

 

[barkley]

when i supervised the same staff for several years i ran into this issue. two of the more successful choices were chrystal items (mikasa outlets will let you order in bulk-and it's very inexpensive but nice stuff) and mugs from see's candy with a gift certificate for a pound of chocolate (they give you a discount rate when you buy a bunch-and they wrap the mugs in clear wrap with a ribbon on top). i also did see's mugs with truffles, a package of coffee or cocoa (theirs is great) or those suckers-EVERYONE seems to like those suckers.

 

[soccerchick]

As part of this week, we have a virtual food fest. Many vendors bring in lunch, snacks etc in throughout the week. In addition, one day our department does a catered lunch - it'll be lasagna and other Italian goodies this year

There are approximately 100 employees in this department, so it would be too hard to coordinate back rubs.

Actually, you just put a sign up sheet out where everyone has access to it and the employees sign up for a 15 min. slot. I worked at a high school w/ over 100 employees and this worked fine. They had 2, maybe three massage chairs going.

 

[dunningdisney]

tpgrewards.com offer all kinds of "cash" moviecash, pizzacash, bookcash--I have used moviecash before(I have received from store promotions) and they are great! I couldn't tell a price from the website though--sorry

 

[cinamin27]

As part of this week, we have a virtual food fest. Many vendors bring in lunch, snacks etc in throughout the week. In addition, one day our department does a catered lunch - it'll be lasagna and other Italian goodies this year

There are approximately 100 employees in this department, so it would be too hard to coordinate back rubs.

its not that hard if you have a massage school in your area. We celebrate Customer Service week every year. We have approx 100 people in our department as well. For the past 2 years we have hired the school to come over. They charged us $200 for 4 hours & each employee received a 10-15 neck & shoulder massage (some people arms, hands & feet if they asked) Since the class had 10-20 people in it, they were able to get everyone in the 4 hour block. Not every employee wanted a massage tho.

 

[clh2]

I have passed on all the ideas to the person who makes the decision. She would like me to thank everyone for their help!

Now...I don't get to find out until the first week in October what was picked as our gift. It is a super-secret thing until the first person gets theirs!

Again - thanks so much!!!