If you are a manager, do you buy/treat your team at Christmas?

[newtonupontheheath]

As the title really...
I have 3 separate teams totalling 11 people. We're pretty skint so I've really cut down on gifts for friends etc. But it seems harsh not to buy anything. Not sure what to do... What do you do? Any ideas that are cheap?

[candybar]

I'm planning to, but I only have 3 people to buy for. It's quite tricky working out what to get, I'm thinking of edible gifts :)

[Blankiefan]

Can you "pimp up" something you'd usually put on expenses - eg team meeting lunch you'd be getting anyway, get something a bit nicer / naughtier and chuck in a box of Christmas crackers [cheap boss emoticon!]

[Springcleanish]

What's the budget? Previously I've done £1 mugs from poundland, filled with hot chocolate stirrer and sweets, wrapped in cling film. Bottle of Buck's Fizz with personalised label, panettone 99p each in lidl with a mini wine bottle, £1 each. Mini christmas cakes hand made are also cheap to make.

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

My boss used to bring in mince pies, cake & wine to share during our last team meeting before we closed for Christmas.

[newtonupontheheath]

Blankie: We're public sector so unfortunately no lunches on expenses!

I don't have a budget.

I'm thinking a round of drinks at the Christmas meal but if each drink is £3 (local pub) that's at least £35 but even that is money I don't really have.

Perhaps I'll just buy a tin of roses for each team

[squiggleirl]

My manager gets us drinks on a night out, but he's the first manager I've ever had to do that. Cake and chocolates is always a good way to go. I think the Roses for each group, and some sort of cake/mince pies/brownies would go down a treat with us.

[ArthurChristmas]

Have you thought about making something, edible most likely? As someone who has both managed a large team and now sits in a team with a horrendous boss, I think there is a lot to say in it's the thought that counts. People do understand budget constraints, but they do like recognition. How about making some really nice cakes or puddings and doing a large team meeting?

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

Tins of sweets for all the teams - I run a call centre. Plus a bargain advent calendar per team .

[Jcee]

I have a large team and I usually make some cakes and then take them into the office for the December team meeting and make sure I make all the teas/coffees...it usually goes down well and is fairly cheap to do

[treaclesoda]

I want some of you as my boss! I've never worked somewhere that the boss gives you a present.

[Letthemtalk]

I only have 2 direct reports, so get them a bottle of fizz each.

[Shootthemoon]

Last year I bought my assistant a bottle of Prosecco, but she's my only direct report

How about a Christmas card for each of them with a nice note about their work this year, plus some homemade mince pies/truffles/cake? Maybe book 20 mins out of one day in Dec to have cake together?

[Sparkletastic]

Can you bake? Chocolate brownies with a bit of edible glitter.

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

My immediate team get a dirty takeaway lunch and we then do a secret Santa .

[Headspaceneeded]

I must be mad. I have 30 plus staff and spend a small fortunes small individual gifts such as chocolates, candles, toiletries.

[OneThenTwo]

I've always bought the team a lunch out and I found that on years I had less to spend (going part time, having work done on our house) and we switched to a nice sandwich shop with posh coffees instead of pub and drinks everyone still really appreciates it. It is the thought that counts and if there are loads of people then a tin of lovely chocs or cakes you have made are still a lovely gesture and will be appreciated I'm sure.

[erin99]

You really don't have to get anything. (I am a minion not a manager.)

If you absolutely must insist, make some cake, shortbread, gingerbread or truffles.

[erin99]

Headspace you sound lovely but, yes, utterly mad. Can I come and work for you?

[RJnomore]

Oh I'm so glad someone started this thread. I've been fretting - ite my first year as a manager and I have 12 staff plus 12 fixed term/ bank staff working at projects and basically I have no idea what to do.

I thoguht of a bottle of wine each but that's £60/£120. My last manager didn't get presents, he put a scratch card in our cards one year but the rest of the team weren't amused

We are public sector too do no expenses. I think I will do some tins of sweets, does that sound ok?

[MissBeehiving]

I have 10 in my team and buy them individual gifts - scarves, toiletries, chocs etc. Is that not normal then?

[WiseKneeHair]

Wine and chocolate.
I bought 18 bottles of prose co and cava last year and half of Thornton's!
Yes, it cost s bit but I appreciate the work they do and I am aware that they earn considerably less than I do.

[crapcrapcrapcrap]

How about individually decorated gingerbread and nice personal cards? Or is it the sort of workplace where you could take in a box or two of wine and some mince pies on the last day?

I'm not a manager but I always give the nurses at work small gifts because they are underappreciated and they work hard. Just a box of chocolates, nothing exciting, but I know they appreciate the thought.

[Blankiefan]

I've got a big team and could afford to do something but I don't think you need to. I'm sure you do plenty of things through your the year to show then your appreciation.

I think it'd be a bit odd if I went out and bought them all gifts. I'd also be a bit if they reciprocated - who needs to get into that?! Maybe it depends on your relationship.

Regular "thank yous" and good recognition goes a long way.

[GoogleyEyes]

Public sector here - middle / senior managers pay for Xmas lunch drinks (we all pay for our own food). Ime the most senior person usually there pays the lion's share, but occasionally it's just split equally between the senior people.