Comments on: I am in the Management, & since the festive season is approaching what can we give our employees as gifts?

By: duchessofb

duchessofb — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:31:59 +0000

A matching donation to the employee's charity of choice is a way to go. If you really feel the need to have them walk away with something in hand then a gift card or prepaid charge card is nice. That way it can be spent by the employee on a gift they choose.
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By: Jonny B

Jonny B — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:06:59 +0000

People come to work for MONEY. They all have bills and obligations. Give them CASH.
The last thing an employee needs is another sweatshirt, jacket, towel, with the company logo on it.

EDIT: One other thing. Over the years, I have noticed that in most companies the "gifts" are usually picked out by some assistant in HR. These type of people are usually young or in financially well off households. They tend to pick "gifts" which are totally impractical or useless to the average rank and file employee.
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By: proudpreemieparents

proudpreemieparents — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:16:59 +0000

My husband usually gets a box of imported chocolates (Italian choc is wonderful!), a ham or turkey, gift certificates for various restaurants, gift certificates for the cinema, and company jackets. He's been there 11 years now and these are some of things that we've received. Hope that I've helped.
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By: Genius Cook

Genius Cook — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:53:59 +0000

+one hundred bucks
+gift food baskets
+voucher for two at a local luxury hotel
+case of wine
+6 months free at the local gym
+5 extra days paid vacation
+cell phone
+membership at the local museum
+seasonal theater tickets
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By: dizzkat

dizzkat — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:20:59 +0000

Most employees appreciate cash in some form or another. Gift voucher or card or a bonus by check.

A voucher for a certain number of hours off, to be used at employee’s discretion with supervisor approval.

A gift basket with tinned cheeses, meats and crackers. (you run into dietary restrictions, cultural taboos and religious restrictions with this one if it is a big company)

It is difficult to answer without knowing your budget per person!

You can arrange a discount with a local spa for a dollar amount voucher to be used for a massage, facial, or manicure.

We have a company wide holiday party where the employees can bring their families. We provide raffle tickets when they arrive and they can win many items that are donated or from our company. We make sure there are a surplus of prizes so everyone goes home with something. We make gift bags for the kids and ask that they RSVP with ages and gender of the children attending.
We provide the main meal and beverages(which includes liquor tickets) and have a potluck dessert table.

It is a daunting task to plan any holiday or end of year festivity and I hope you get some good ideas here! Best of luck!
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By: nolainkansas

nolainkansas — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:37:59 +0000

As an employee I would prefer to receive a voucher for something like:.
Movie Theater
Grocery store
Local Zoo or other entertainment attraction
Book Store

OR
let each employee name the charity of their choice where the company will match up to a specified dollar amount donation.
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By: LEC

LEC — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:13:59 +0000

No longer being an employee it is easy to look back at recent years and remember what my former employers gave me. Every year everyone got the same thing which was a real drag some years….I mean what do I need with a camp chair? I always wished they would care enough about me to know what would be a special gift that wasn’t necessarily expensive but my frugality wouldn’t allow the purchase even though I would really like to have it. Of course if you have a very large number of employees that might be difficult. Probably the best gift you could give your employees (if you are not doing so already) is affordable health coverage that is comprehensive and reasonable about deductibles and co-pays…that is a gift that lasts all year long. Really good benefits go a long way for most employees; then they can just smile, enjoy a big ol Christmas party and a modest gift card.
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By: threesmyluv

threesmyluv — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:45:59 +0000

I would say that a nice monetary bonus is one of the best things to give! Most people really need the extra money, I think the majority of employees never feel like they get paid enough. You could also give an extra personnal day off or bonus vacation days, an electronic gadget would be nice, or appointment calendars they always come in handy.
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By: Open Book Advisors™

Open Book Advisors™ — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:39:59 +0000

$ is good
Gym membership
Spa Certificate
the option of practical gifts are nice for those that are very budget conscious………gas cards, grocery cards, target cards etc.
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By: xxjessmicaxx

xxjessmicaxx — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:49:59 +0000

last year we actually got gift certificates to local fast food joints and restaurants around work! it was a great gift that bought me lunch out 7 times!
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