Naff idea?

[healstorturepeople]

I am struggling for ideas for my work colleagues. I work with 7 lovely ladies but not in the same office.

I am thinking of getting each one a Little Miss book to suit their personality and then also a little something else such as a Christmas decoration.

Is the book idea naff?

[SoupDragon]

Yes

[GoldenGreen]

If I got a decoration I would be delighted. A Little Miss book...honestly I would be bemused and possibly not pleased with whichever aspect of my personality you'd decided to highlight!

[PixieHot]

at SoupDragon.

It might be a little naff OP, and I imagine you'd have to be careful not to upset any if the women as well.

[healstorturepeople]

:(

[YDdraigGoch]

I worry that something you might think is funny will upset someone.
Also, sounds like a waste of money to me- what do you expect them to go with NYE books?
You can't go wrong with chocolate IMO

[healstorturepeople]

Chocolate is just so dull though. Plus people get too much of it at Christmas anyway.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I got a gloriously tacky Christmas decoration in a work secret santa years ago (we call it the Carmen Miranda fish).

I love it and it comes out every year.

Thumbs down for the Little Miss tho, too much room for offence I think...

[PixieHot]

Aw, don't be down OP. It's really nice if you to give them a gift .

What about:
Hotel Chocolat chocolates
Cosy bedsocks
Homemade liqueur
Paperchase stationary
Wine

I know that other people probably think that this is naff, but I love giving people X / Y / Z sets, e.g. a nice night in set (DVD, popcorn, beer) etc. It is naff. I do love it .

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Sorry, but I agree it's not a great idea. How much would you want to spend each? About a fiver?

For a fiver each you could get:

a mini bottle of wine and a bar of chocolate

a mini bottle of wine and a wineglass

moleskin notebooks and a pen

a plant

an Aveda handcream mini (about six pounds and a lovely little treat that lots of people wouldn't splash out on for themselves)

You can get tiny packs of chocs in Hotel Chocolate for 3 pounds each if you buy three

bracelets - M&S often have nice ones for about a fiver, or Warehouse

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Or really nice bookmarks - you can never have too many bookmarks!

[healstorturepeople]

I hate smellies, chocolate, food or wine for Christmas. People get so much of it.
I could do bracelets but not sure I'd get their tastes exactly right.

moleskin notebook? yuck! Sorry!

Sorry. I know I'm being fussy. I wanted something a little different that I can post. I won't get the books though as a few of you have said it is naff!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Why yuck to moleskin notebooks - they are not made of real moles for goodness sake!!!

I can't think of a single woman who would appreciate a Little Miss book tbh - I can think of many women who would appreciate the things I listed.

[healstorturepeople]

I think it's moleskine notebook not moleskin!

Maybe I'm just weird but hate getting smellies, chocs etc. I don't mean this to offend you Remus (as thousands of others do the same thing) but I think they are quite 'unthoughtful' presents really. It kind of means not even thinking of the person as an individual. Sorry that probably sounds harsh. I do appreciate all the comments and I won't get the books. I do wonder if people are just pleasant when they receive gifts like this so people think they actually like such gifts.

I know it's something I'd appreciate and it would make me laugh if someone got my personality spot on. I would also have a good giggle at what the other people's books were too. Maybe it's just me!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

All these years I've thought it was moleskin! :)

I'm not offended - but I did think you being a bit dismissive of suggestions. I'd far rather have nice chocolates or wine than something 'quirky' that might raise a smile for 30 seconds and then sit on a shelf gathering dust. But I think consumables are mostly the way to go with people such as colleagues etc: I don't want stuff to sit around in my house unless I absolutely love it, or it's useful. I'd rather have a nice cheese or something even if it isn't personal to me (though cheese with my name on would be fine too).

[Durab]

A friend from my antenatal class did this for all our babies' first Christmas. My son got Mr Greedy as an affectionate comment on his massive appetite. TBH I wasn't best pleased (PFB!!) but at least it was a suitable present for a small child.

You might not like the "usual" presents, but there's a reason why they're so popular. As a token present I'd much rather have something that will be used up than something "thoughtful" to keep, unless you got it exactly right and just for me, which you're not going to achieve if you want to get 7 women much the same thing.

Do you usually get all 7 presents? I'd think that was a bit OTT if someone did it in my office and frankly, wouldn't want someone to start it and make the rest of us feel obligated to reciprocate. That might make me sound like a miserable old bat, but everyone has enough demands on their time and pocket at this time of year - who are these presents really about? (apologies if I'm way off the mark?)

If you really want to do something, have some flowers delivered.

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

How on earth can you have been intending to buy Little Miss books & say you're fussy???

YOU might not like food/chocs but most people do. At least you can eat them/share them & they don't hang around forever more, what the hell do you do with a Little Miss book?

[healstorturepeople]

:)
Sorry if I was dismissive. Thanks for all the suggestions. What about homemade Christmas biscuits?
If not, chocolate it will probably be. Maybe bracelets if I can get ones to suit 20-65 years old (different ones obviously).

[healstorturepeople]

Probably not too late Smudging. I will suggest it. Thank you.

[3bunnies]

I must say that I am with you OP on the smellies (go to school fair) and chocolates (go to children). I don't think little Miss would work though, as the message is always to 'fix' whichever trait the character has. A christmas decoration tends to go down well as generally it only comes out once a year, if they don't like it they don't have to use it as you are unlikely to go and check their trees each year, and it doesn't make them fatter! I usually add some truffles/ biscuits to counter the last point. A bracelet might be nice, though I tend not to wear anything. Agree though if usually you all buy for each other you could suggest secret santa, if not for this year, for next year.

Book people often have v good bargains if you know anything about their interests - can get them on lots of topics for just 3 or 4 pounds- craft, baking, science, history, gardening etc. I would rather have a craft/ baking book than smellies or chocolate - it shows that you have thought of something relevant to them, but maybe not as personal as a Mr Men book character!

[Pancakeflipper]

Have a look on Folksy website -you might find something on there. I got some lovely stuff last year that was different and not bank breaking.

[spookysal]

Wine is your friend here (as is so often the case).

If there's a non drinker then chocolates.

Both these suggestions can easily be passed on if unwanted but the thought still counts.

These are your colleagues not close friends. Stop overthinking it and buy something they will probably like instead of something that only you will find amusing.

It's beyond naff tbh.

[Snazzyfeelingfestive]

I agree that secret santa is the way to go. Otherwise wine. Dull but almost always acceptable.

[chimchar]

I bought some little Yankee candle samplers (about £1.50 ish each) and a little glass holder from ikea (50p each) and wrapped them up with a little bottle of baileys in some nice tissue paper. friends seemed to be pleased. I think sometimes its the gesture of the gift which is the most important....

I love the decoration idea...maybe you could choose those for individuals, or even get personalised ones with names or the year on them?

how about a mug for the office? you could choose those for individuals....I saw some last year you could get printed with a name and the way that person took their drink..."sarahs cup! , tea, strong, white, one sugar" that's personal, but without the worry of causing offence like a little miss book would.

there is someone in my work who I want to buy this mug for, but it probably would cause offense!

[FlatCapAndAWhippet]

A lottery ticket each.