Office Gifts

[RUDisney]

I've started Christmas shopping. I have a number of people taken care of who are on my list. BUT, I'm having trouble coming up with something for my coworkers, employees and boss. Any ideas? Last year, I gave everyone a crystal Lenox Holly Berry bowl. I got it in July for $6.95 per bowl, but since it was Lenox, they thought they made out pretty good from me.

I have done ornaments, Christmas figurines, and picture frames, Christmas towels, and candles.

I have 7 men and one woman who report to me, my boss, our secretary, the 2 receptionists who screen my calls, one coworker who is my peer and my former boss. I can buy everything the same, or different things for different people. I want to keep everything to under $10 each.

Have you any ideas for me?

 

[CEDmom]

You can never go wrong with food gifts. Even if it's not something the receiver ends up enjoying he/she can share with family/friends. If you have a Costco near you and are a member check out their holiday food gifts. Last year I got tins of excellent cookies and boxed chocolates at wonderful prices. The 7 men I think are harder than the women. For the women you could also get a Yankee candle or Bath&Body Works stuff. You could also try getting a decent bottle of champagne for NYE for each person.

 

[momsal]

A fairly inexpensive gift is a basket of chocolate dipped things.

You can do it yourself they are easy but look expensive!

Try dipping pretzel rods 3/4 of the way in melted chocolate ( you ca do white milk or dark or all 3) then roll them in crushed nut, sprinkles mini chips tie 3 together with ribbon add to basket

Take heavey plastic spoons and dip in chocolate about and inch up the handle tie some together add to basket

dip ruffled pototo chips 3/4 in chocolate put in basket

add a couple pieces of fruit and you have a basket ( or tin or whatever you choose) that would cost alot of money to buy in a shop

You could put in Lottery tickets an ornament or some other small gift if you want.

it is a really nice gift!!!

 

[Pam]

These are great ideas - love the chocolate ones, momsal!!

What about gift certificates to Pizza Hut or Wendy's??

 

[Lynn CC]

What about a bottle of wine. I got a case of Asti Spamanti, Martini and Rossi for $9.99 a bottle (they gave me a deal because I bought the case). Each bottle came in a gift box with fancy candies included.
We have Chatham Winery here on the Cape too that have nice bottles for gifts.
I like giving wine because if they don't drink it, they can always save it for company or give it to someone else!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Unfortunately I don't have anything to add to what's already been said but I am in a similar situation with buying gifts for work so keep those ideas coming!!

 

[Otto's Doll]

Calendars (with enough space to write on); desk calendars; lottery tickets (may not be allowed, so check on this one first); and chocolate/food baskets are all good ideas.



Jeanne

 

[RUDisney]

You guys have some great ideas.

Thinking about the wine, since I have some employees who drink wine and others who drink beer, I was thinking about buying a few cases of the holiday brews and making up beer baskets. That has a definite possibility... along with the wine for the others.

I wish I hit the liquor store right because one of my friends bought the last bottle of a French, Rothchild chardonnay. It originally sold for $20 a bottle but was on sale since so many people weren't buying French wines... for $6 per bottle. It was fabulous, too.

Lottery tickets aren't frowned upon at my work. My boss and other managers routinely give them as part of their gifts.... usually, as a "decoration" attached to the bow.

 

[cinmell]

Yankee candles and fast food gift certificates or even gift certificates to Border's Bookstore or Barnes and Noble were always a hit in my old office.

 

[RUDisney]

Ooh, I like the bookstore idea since they sell books, cd's and movies.

So, I started out this thread in desperation... now I may have a hard time deciding which idea to use. (I'll have to store the rest of them for next year, etc.)

 

[powellrj]

A nice engraved pen or maybe movie tickets, I know at AAA you can buy movie tickets at a discount and they can be used anytime.

 

[Jenn]

My boss pays for a catered lunch on/near Xmas Eve instead of buying everyone gifts - works out great. We usually have a quick vote on what type of food everyone wants and once we have a consensus, we order a few days prior and enjoy a nice meal before heading out for the holiday. We also do a gift swap amongst the staff and we save that for that day.

My husband oversees a small department and one year he had a massage therapist come in with a massage chair and she gave everyone 10 minute neck/shoulder massages. He paid about $100 for her to be in the office for a couple of hours.