Gift for Dept Member

[HolidayHelpPlease]

Hi all
I’m a new HOD, and I’ve got 3 MOS working under me. I didn’t do cards/presents this year because I was planning on sending flowers and cards to their homes (I have their addresses, they have mine, etc etc) as it all goes a little bit mental in the last week of term and I didn’t want to add to the massive piles of ‘stuff’ they have to carry Home with them (London, public transport etc)
I mentioned it to a friend yesterday and she said she felt it was creepy - she wouldn’t want her boss sending flowers to her house.
Now I feel a little deflated - should I? Would you appreciate the gesture? Do you think it’s creepy? The vast ammounts of gin last night haven’t helped....

[millionsofpeaches]

I think it would be lovely, not creepy at all.

[kktpj]

I'm a teacher.....I'd love that

[Tipsntoes]

Do you have their addresses in a social context or would you have to look at HR records?

If they've given the addresses to you (rather than to the school iyswim) then I think it's lovely.

Does you friend work in another industry? IME school staff are much more "family" like than colleagues were when I worked in the commercial world.

[VolunteeringSucks]

I'd like it - because I'd feel like it was a gift to my whole family - who often get neglected in favour of work.

[noblegiraffe]

Are they going away in the holidays? If my boss sent flowers I either wouldn’t be there to receive them or wouldn’t be there to appreciate them.

Are you all female? I’d tell them all to expect a delivery before leaving school otherwise it would feel weird unexpectedly receiving them I think.

[HolidayHelpPlease]

Tipsntoes No HR involved - they all use my amazon account (and have the password) because I have Prime so I can see theirs and they can see mine.
We are very close and my friend has just started her first real job in marketing - I do wonder if I’m only so worried about upsetting anyone because we’re so close!

[BackforGood]

I'd think flowers arriving at my home from my HoD was a bit odd, tbh. A token little Single serving bottle of wine or box of chocs given when I saw them at work would be the right thing to do.
Even without allowing for those who will be away over Christmas.

[samlovesdilys]

My faculty all got some chocs and a card with a personal comment...but I have 11 and definitely couldn't afford flowers for each, even if they would want them. Agree could be a bit creepy tbh, v kind thought but a bit odd. Sorry.

[Cynderella]

I think it's unusual but not creepy, I wouldn't appreciate a 'single serving bottle of wine'!

If you are close, you will know that they will all be at home. If you are not sure, flowers are a risk.