TOTALLY OT: Longevity Gift From Employer

[kristenrice]

This is so silly, but I still would like to hear the thoughts of others.

I have been with my employer for just over 15 years. In April, I received a brochure that has several appreciation gifts for me to choose from. About half of it is stuff that I have no interest in (jewelry, watches, housewares, artwork, etc), but there are a few items that I would actually use and would probably never buy for myself. (This is where it is a little "budget" related).

The items that I am leaning towards (and I can only pick one) include a pair of Bose headphones, a Haier 22" LCD TV, a CharBroil portable propane grill, a pair of Maui Jim Stingray sunglasses and an off-brand 7" Android tablet with cover. These are the things that I think would be most practical as I would actually use any of them. Right now, I am seriously leaning towards the sunglasses. I read the great reviews on them and I am a person who is always wearing sunglasses. Unfortunately, I am also the person who is always *LOSING* sunglasses. On one hand, I would appreciate the quality of a nice pair of sunglasses, particularly since I recently took up running. On the other hand, these sunglasses retail for over $200. I know that I would be extra careful with them, but I'm afraid of really loving them and getting "hooked" on them. Then if they got lost or broken, it would be very hard for me to resist replacing them and that is just not in the budget.

We haven't camped in years, but we were thinking about doing a weekend or two in the tent this summer. The TV or the propane grill would be wonderful for that purpose and they are items that I would probably just go without instead of buying. The headphones would be a nice splurge, but I have several pairs already (most in the $50-$80 price range) but it would be my first pair of Bose. The tablet would just be added to our already vast electronics collection, but it would be the only tablet we own. We do not have an iPad, Kindle Fire or Nook so it would be a little unique. So, after considering all of this, I still fall back towards those sunglasses. They are something that I would never even think to buy for myself which makes them a good choice for a gift. Of all the items, they have by far the most retail value which also makes them very appealing.

I know, this is silly and I am truly not stressing over this decision...there are far more things in my life to worry about. I'm just wondering what others might do in this situation.

 

[mom2alix]

Get the sunglasses. You already know they are what you really want.

Give yourself permission to get a gift that's just for you and a nice little splurge. Enjoy!

 

[Nicsnick]

I have lost, broken, dropped, stepped on every pair of sunglasses that I have ever owned... until I bought the Ray Bans that I have now. I LOVE these glasses. I have had them for 6+ years. I say get the glasses and enjoy them!

 

[QVCshopper]

It's your gift, so get the sunglasses if they will make you happy. Plus, they have the highest worth, right?

My DH's employer does a similar reward program and he got a framed picture, watch, and luggage so far (one every 5 years). I got a $75 gift card from my company for being with them for 5 years, which I used to buy a really expensive Dyson with my employee discount and about $150 of my own cash. Love that vacuum!

 

[Bob NC]

Get them!!!!!

Until you get a really nice pair of sunglasses you never know what you've been missing.

I had always wanted some nice glasses but never wanted to spend the money for them.

About 7 years ago I had S & H Green stamps saved up from a local grocery store. I got a pair of expensive Oakley's with them. I LOVED these glasses.

After about 5 years I still didn't have any scratches on them, they were still like new. I began looking for my next pair, because after 5 years there surely couldn't be much life left in these glasses.

These are the glasses that just WON'T leave. They won't break, they won't scratch, they won't get lost.

Last November, on my birthday I went to Sunglass Hut and bought the glasses I've been looking at for two years, a pair of Maui Jim Island Time sunglasses.

Now I have 2 pair of great sunglasses.

You are getting them as a gift. You will LOVE these glasses. If you lose them next year you aren't out a dime.

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

Please get the sunglasses!!!

You will really like them, and it's a gift- not like you are spending the $ so don't feel bad. I think a gift should be truly enjoyed and it will remind you of the 15 years of hard work you've put into the company, every time you wear them. It's an awesome gift and sounds like you totally deserve them!

 

[CopperWife]

Get the sunglasses!

This is YOUR gift. Get something for YOU.

 

[disneyfreakk]

Get the Maui Jims! I have a pair that I have been wearing for the last 10 years! I am super careful with them, and I bet you will be too! They are just AWESOME!!!!

PS, if they are polarized, they will be even more awesome!!

 

[hsmamato2]

get the glasses.... my DH got one of these choices recently,and of all things he could have picked he chose binoculars...but he was happy!

 

[ariel71]

This might just be my own issue, but I wouldn't pick the sunglasses unless I've had the opportunity to try on that particular style at a store first. I can try on 50 pairs before I find one that fits well, suits my face, and I like the style/color. If you've already done that or don't have that same issue, go for it. Otherwise I'd pick the tablet since you don't have one and you could very well end up using it more than you think. For all the hype that the Bose headphones get, for me they're kind of meh.

 

[SueInBoston]

This might just be my own issue, but I wouldn't pick the sunglasses unless I've had the opportunity to try on that particular style at a store first.

My opinion as well....

 

[molliewalks]

I have a pair of MJs. I was really scared about losing/breaking them, but i find with these, i don't worry about it. I take better care of them because of the value than i would a cheap pair from walmart. I love them, super light-weight, comfy, flexible and have excellent protection!! Go for the glasses, you won't regret it!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

My husband lost his Maui Jim's on It's a Small World as he was getting out of the boat. They fell from his neckline, dropped into the water under the boat and were gone forever. Get a strap if you get the Maui Jim's so they don't fall off if you aren't wearing them. He loved those glasses.

 

[TRICKY_TINK]

My Mom got me a pair of $200 glasses and they pull my hair. I don't like them. I wish I had tried them on first. So I do suggest you go do that.

 

[drinkme]

Get the sunglasses. We here on the dis give you permission to get something for yourself! Lol

I bet u won't lose them.

 

[kristenrice]

Oh, you guys...

Thanks for all the input. I am going to get the sunglasses! If I don't like them, I can always sell them on E-bay. I had a pair of MJ's a long time ago (also free from a different source) and I managed to hang on to them for almost a year before I left them in the ambulance at work. Sure enough, they were gone the next day when I came back to work. I knew better because it wasn't the first time is left a personal item on my truck only to have it disappear, but they were the most expensive.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[marthachick]

I had never paid more than $10 for sunglasses. I was the worst at scratching/breaking/dropping/kicking/losing them. This year I didn't need to use my vision insurance for contacts so I got a pair of Ray Bans and all I had to pay was the tax on a $110 pair. I LOVE them! I got a good case & I'm trying to be very careful with them.

 

[tvguy]

I'm floored by a company that still gives longevity gifts. It's great, but it seems that most companies these days don't employees to stay long enough to step up to more than the minimum vacation time, or until they are vested in the retirement plan, let alone 10,15, 20, 25 or 30 years. First guy let go at my place when the economy tanked had been with the company 44 years.

Funny thing is, I was going through my mom's stuff and her employer had an annual banquet where employees were honors for their service in 5 year steps. But she retired 28 years ago, and times have changed I guess.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm floored by a company that still gives longevity gifts. It's great, but it seems that most companies these days don't employees to stay long enough to step up to more than the minimum vacation time, or until they are vested in the retirement plan, let alone 10,15, 20, 25 or 30 years. First guy let go at my place when the economy tanked had been with the company 44 years.

Funny thing is, I was going through my mom's stuff and her employer had an annual banquet where employees were honors for their service in 5 year steps. But she retired 28 years ago, and times have changed I guess.

We still get that too in addition to the gift every 5 yrs. My 20 yr gift was a set of Swiss kitchen knives with a wooden storage block. My niece had just gotten her own apt. so I gave them to her. My 15 yr gift was a very small Coach purse. I would never buy myself that & still use it occasionally.
FWIW, I have many coworkers who have also been there as long as myself or longer. Many hospitals have/had hiring freezes so there's no point in looking elsewhere anymore. Even when techs have left, they have been replaced. We are always so hopping busy I can't see them letting anyone go. They haven't yet in our dept but never say never.

OP, I would definitely get those sunglasses. Dh & I were just looking at those when he didn't know what to get me for Christmas. If you're worried about losing them, get a string so they can hang around your neck when not on your face.
I keep my Ray Bans in the cup holder of my car and they never leave my car. I find cheap sunglasses annoying when I'm driving. If we go on vacay, I bring my $20 pair I bought in CVS. They have a string which is great when you're on the go. If I lose them or they break, it's no sweat to replace them.

 

[iheartdisney]

I would NOT get the tablet. Off brand Android tablets are never a good idea. Most of these have an outdated operating system that can't be upgraded. Some won't even allow you to access the Play store- making the apps you want virtually impossible to download. When getting electronics, ESPECIALLY one you aren't familiar with you should play with it in person before you commit to it. And be able to have a return option.