taegan Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 I see that "Boss Gifts" have been talked about, but does anyone have any suggestions about what to get employees? My husband is a first-year manager at a pharmacy. He has about 15 employees - 3 shift leaders, 2 pharmacists, Head pharmacy tech and others. He doesn't know whether to buy for everyone or just the supervisors and pharmacists. He wants everyone to know that they are appreciated. What do you think? Individual gifts (something not too expensive, yet thoughtful :) ) or perhaps fix up the breakroom - new microwave, cart, coffee pot, etc. Any gift ideas? Of course, he's delegated this to me
babymains Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 We were mangers at a pizza place. We did free rental at blockbuster (bulk $2.50). Another year we did coffee cups with hot coco, pepermints, and cholcolate (about $1 a piece). Then we did a christmas party, we bought the trays (vegatable and sandwhich) and they bought the sides (chips and dip). Ran about twenty for 15-20 people. So some easy ideas.
pogiporkchop Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 I like the idea of fixing up the break room. Either that or gift cards for gas included in a card with a personally written note of appreciation.... I can't imagine anyone that would complain about getting that with the price of gas being what it is, but they may just value the handwritten note of appreciation more :)
freesia39 Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 last year i did small giftcards for my team along with hand written cards.. but that was only for 4 people.
citrixgirl Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 my only employee is my hubby does extra cuddle time count as a christmas bonus????
conj Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 my boss does small gifts - a favorite drink (soda or coffee) and a snack, just a token really... but she took the time to pick out the specific drinks, so it was personal. and equal. I don't know how company loyal his employees are... the break room update is a longer lasting gift, but less personal. As an employee, I feel most appreciated when I am recognized for something I do well. not a generic "your doing a good job" but a "wow, you really handled that situation well!" or "good work diffusing that" go way further than a agift... so I like the personalized cards. How much does he want to spend?
shopping mom Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 Why not mix the two, do a nice coffee pot for the break room, and then fix a mug with coffees, teas, hot chocolates whatever and a short note of appreciation.
Kandy Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 Depending on how much you want to spend. A GC to a local Grocery store or Gas card with a hand written card would be nice. A movie bucket - bag of microwave popcorn, movie candy, and movie rental. If he knows what kind of coffee the employee likes (not all employee's drink coffee) decaf, regular, flavored etc. A personalized coffee cup (doesn't have to have their name on it, but maybe something they like, ie a dog, cat, a muscle car etc) mini bag of coffee, or hot cocco if the person doesn't drink coffee. Fixing up the breakroom, if it needs to be done is great but as a christmas "gift" it would not be as personal to the individual. Maybe do light snacks - a tray of homemade christmas cookies/brownies/ drinks/.
BoulderChick Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 We are getting gifts for my husbands assistant(fun girlie stuff, MAC, Sephora) and Movie Theatre GC's for his student workers(they work maybe 10 hrs per week during school) still trying to decide on $15 or $20 GC for them. Maybe even a $15 Movie card and a $5 Starbucks card. I like the idea of getting a new coffee pot for the breakroom and then giving gifts of coffee mugs with cocoa, tea, coffee.
auntsister Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 I am a nurse and one year a doctor I worked for gave me a really nice gift basket with a candle, potpourri and an ornament. The basket and other items are gone but I still have the ornament and it is one of my favorites. I think a good gift would be to go to a place that sells Hallmark ornaments and buy each person one that reflects what they like.
samisma Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 normally when i was a manager at the holiday seasons it depended on how many employees i had. If it was less than 10 I gave more personal gifts - gift card to their fave store with a christmas ornament & homemade cookies/candies. More than 10... well it normally becomes a generic visa gift card in a tiny little christmas stocking with the employee's name on it. For the current situation though, what about this: Fix up the breakroom as previously mentioned -then put up little stockings with each employees name on it and a $5-10 gift card, in the stocking also throw in a tiny creamer, a plastic coffee stirrer, a sweetNlow (or splenda or whatever), and a mint/candy cane. -for his management/specialist type employees do all of the above and also a special coffee mug just for them - either personalized or something with a phrase/image they'd appreciate hth
jbdinos Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 I work at a small company and there is one other manager besides myself. Each year the other manager goes out and gets everyone a 20 dollar gift card to walmart (we have 10 employees). I, however, cannot afford that and I started it all with plates of homemade goodies tailored to how many are in their immediate families several years ago. I no longer have the time to make that much candy, etc now that my kids are older and more involved in activities. So I do something different each year. This year they are getting the organizers that Office Depot had on clearance during the summer for 99 cents each. Their favorite was two years ago. I bought little baskets on clearance for 25 cents at Dollar General. I put a gormet hot cocoa pack in each one (got these on sale at 1.50 for an 8 pack and used only one pack per basket), 1 pack of micro popcorn. and I added in 2 votive candles (.20 each), a cheapo Christmas ornament (on sale 2/1.00), and then tossed a handful of mixed Christmas candy into each one. I called them "relaxation" baskets and they didn't cost me more than 2.00 each. To this day they are excited about them and each year they ask if I have found any more of those "cute little baskets" and they say it with a smile to where you can tell they are hinting. Last year I did little Christmas tins from Big Lots filled with a variety of Christmas candies and small candy canes. I think they enjoy the fact they don't know what it's going to be but that they know how much thought I will put into the gifts. In fact, they seem to enjoy it more than the 20 dollars to walmart. I think they would be unhappy if I fixed up the breakroom even if it cost a lot more. I think they wouldn't find it personal and would feel left out. But if you do as some above say and do a coffee pot (or hot water maker for those that dont' like coffee) and then some cocoa/coffee/etc in a mug that would be nice too.
abentley Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 I stress a little over this every year. My DH partners & employees vary so much. This year for the married ones I am doing popcorn/movie bowls(complete with milk duds, dvds popcorn/seasonings etc.) as well as bowls with bundt pans/bundt mixes and silicone spatulas. ( i bought 20 bowls from coldwatercreek back in Jan of last year.) The single ones are getting insulated travel mugs & coffee. This is on top of bonuses, just a personal touch from my DH.
taegan Posted November 16, 2007 Author Posted November 16, 2007 Thanks for all the ideas. I'll have to keep an eye out for clearance stuff after Christmas this year to put up for next year. We didn't realize he'd have his own store this time last year. I like the mug w/coffee, etc. ideas....I think the movie bucket idea would be good too, but we do not have a local Blockbuster or Movie Gallery (just a little "mom & pop" video store - no gift cards). Whatever I'm going to do, I need to start!
elena_398 Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 My old boss always gave up a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant and lottery tickets. One year I scratched off a $50 winner so that was great :)
heatherkw Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 We own and we give cash to all the employees! I know my mom really enjoyed getting a turkey or ham when they USED to do that at Walmart.
jarerice Posted November 16, 2007 Posted November 16, 2007 Last year I bought candy and the 20 Questions game. I like buying something that his family will enjoy, nothing personal.
tinkerszs Posted November 25, 2007 Posted November 25, 2007 Costco has $2.99 bottles of wine on sale right now and the red is really pretty good. They also have candy cane small liquor sets that are really cheap.
Guest ts40ounce Posted November 25, 2007 Posted November 25, 2007 How about something that person could enjoy with their family away from the office. Movie gift cards or dinner gift cards... just a thought
vsa3janes Posted November 25, 2007 Posted November 25, 2007 If he fixes up the breakroom can he write off the expenses? If so, I would do that and then something personal for each. I think most employees would think the company pays for hte breakroom needs. The stocking with a gas card & candy is nice. Gas here is high and we all drive about 25 miles to work. I have always done something personal for the staff (out of my pocket) and our GM gives gift cards (of course he can expense whatever he spends).
BoulderChick Posted November 26, 2007 Posted November 26, 2007 I stress a little over this every year. My DH partners & employees vary so much. This year for the married ones I am doing popcorn/movie bowls(complete with milk duds, dvds popcorn/seasonings etc.) as well as bowls with bundt pans/bundt mixes and silicone spatulas. ( i bought 20 bowls from coldwatercreek back in Jan of last year.) The single ones are getting insulated travel mugs & coffee. This is on top of bonuses, just a personal touch from my DH. I understand what you mean, I stress over this each year. He has college student workers, mostly male and they can be difficult to buy for. Great idea picking up the bowls from Coldwater Creek. Those gifts sound like fun.
HAnderson Posted November 26, 2007 Posted November 26, 2007 I have always recieved either a gift card or a small gift basket.
swetal Posted November 26, 2007 Posted November 26, 2007 This is Gift album program. This is awesome for emplyees!!!!!!!!!! You can just order in quantity and get discounts. Also, They have different price ranges, so you can choose whatever fits your comapny's price range. Also, Shipping is free. And the best part is emplyees will get to choose what they really want! I got done with 50% of my shopping here ($ 25 varity album is very useful)This is great for people you don't know too well because yu still get them something they really enjoy! spatel49.ordermygift.com shipping is free i believe
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