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Original poster

If you have several people who work for you, what do you do about Christmas presents?

28 replies

LeanishMachine · 10/10/2020 17:17

And who pays?

I am overall manager for 20 staff. It seems to be the norm that managers buy all their staff "something" at Christmas. Even if I just get a bottle or a plant, that's getting towards £200 from my pocket for something, frankly I see as a work expense. And is that even enough, should I do better than that? If it makes a difference, I earn a good wage and most of the team are part timers on close to minimum wage.

Is that the norm? I realise I'm being a bit scrooge like but TBH I don't like buying "token" gifts for anyone. I love to buy a wonderful present for someone I know well, when I'm confident they'll enjoy it but something they'll likely never use seems such a waste both of money and resources.

OP posts:
rainkeepsfallingdown · 10/10/2020 17:44

I only buy presents for secretaries - not people I manage.

If we were in the workplace, I'd do some festive baking on a few different days, carefully timed around when I had approved their holidays so they wouldn't miss out.

ComicePear · 10/10/2020 17:49

I don't think that's the norm OP. My DH manages a team of around 12 and he doesn't do this. I don't manage anyone at the moment, but I used to in my previous role and I wouldn't have done it then, and I don't expect my manager to do it now.

Could you organise a Christmas night out and ask your boss if the company would subsidise it?

Original poster
LeanishMachine · 10/10/2020 17:50

@ComicePear

I don't think that's the norm OP. My DH manages a team of around 12 and he doesn't do this. I don't manage anyone at the moment, but I used to in my previous role and I wouldn't have done it then, and I don't expect my manager to do it now.

Could you organise a Christmas night out and ask your boss if the company would subsidise it?

I don't think that's an option this year and frankly, is a rare silver lining to the current situation Grin
OP posts:

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Christmas Employment advice Events & celebrations
HildegardVonBingen · 10/10/2020 17:52

H manages about 30 people (public sector, not at all senior). I think last year he did cards with a personal message thanking people for their hard work, and brought in three dozen Krispy Kremes.

Unicorners · 10/10/2020 17:53

I don't think it's that common. My current boss does usually get us something, but I've never had it before now. It's a small thing like a mini wine each.

It's a lovely gesture but in no way expected!

ComicePear · 10/10/2020 17:53

Oh yes I completely forgot about the restrictions when answering your post! 🤦‍♀️

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 10/10/2020 17:55

I manage 10 people and buy them all a gift to show appreciation.

I pay and try to stick to £10 each.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/10/2020 17:58

I send cards to everyone and buy chocs for the office and a small gift for my admin assistant.

Dp's company buys a gift rather than manager.

Stroller15 · 10/10/2020 17:59

I don't think it's the norm OP. My boss manages 10 people and don't get us anything. I manage 5 people and I'm planning on get some Christmas sweets delivered or something similar with a card. But only because I feel like it.

kissmysass · 10/10/2020 18:01

In your position I would do cards and have a day (that they're all in the office) where you buy/bake snacks or maybe order a couple of pizzas.

HollowTalk · 10/10/2020 18:02

Have they lost out financially due to lockdown?

unmarkedbythat · 10/10/2020 18:04

I have never expected line managers to get me a Christmas present. That would be odd.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 10/10/2020 18:06

Dh manages about 8 people and Spends about £10

He says he isnt sure about this year because he pretty much hasnt seen them since march

katy1213 · 10/10/2020 18:08

Perhaps if they work for you in the sense that they're your employees in your own company. If you're their manager - why would you? They're not working for you personally; if the company wants to oil relationships, let them pay.

user1496146479 · 10/10/2020 18:10

My old boss does this. Team of 6. She got everyone something small but thoughtful!

NickMarlow · 10/10/2020 18:12

I'm in a team of about 15. My boss gets us all a box of chocolates or similar, but also writes a Christmas card thanking us personally for what he has appreciated about us that year. I really value that card, and would never expect a bigger present!

ohidoliketobe · 10/10/2020 18:15

Me and DH get our direct reports (different teams, we don't work together) a chocolate advent calandar and put £X amount in for our respective christmas meals if they are are all going, or if not many are going on the offices nights out, we try to take our teams out for lunch in the weeks leading upto Xmas. I have 3 and DH has a team of 10, so his lunch works out expensive. It works for us, he couldn't think what to buy each individual person and a generic bottle of wine seems so impersonal.
The advent calandar go down a treat, in my office other colleagues have guilted their managers into buying them ones too. And the lunch is nice to take 2 hours out in the midst of all the mad rush. We have a lovely pub near our work with homemade good quality food and open fires.
Bit sad we won't be able to do it this year thinking about it as we're all wfh.

Ahwig · 10/10/2020 18:16

I have staff and always buy them something. It doesn’t have to be expensive. I bought the lads mini torches that go on a key ring and I think that cost me £20 for 5 and the girls I bought a cute little lantern with a tea light inside. They were delighted. I was happy to do this (not so keen on the additional wrapping though)

tentative3 · 10/10/2020 18:28

I don't get or expect anything in my current job, it would be pretty unthinkable actually. In a previous HOD used to take us out for lunch, which I think was covered by the company, and my manager bought us all a lottery ticket. If you feel the need to do it, I would make it consumable only and echo those who've said a card in which you take the time to outline what you've appreciated from each one individually would be really nice. I'd be happy with nothing, I'd be happy with a card, I'd be happy with a card and a scratch card or a malteaser reindeer. Anything much above that I might feel obliged to buy something in return.

tentative3 · 10/10/2020 18:29

*previous role that should say

daisypond · 10/10/2020 18:31

Not the norm anywhere I’ve worked.

AnneElliott · 10/10/2020 18:36

We don't buy presents but as the SMT we pay for the drinks at the Christmas meal.

funtimefrank · 10/10/2020 18:47

I manage about 7 and don't do this. My boss manages 15 and doesn't and my big boss who is the loveliest man alive doesn't.

Big boss does buy his pa a gift and he does shout us a tremendous amount of treats in terms of cakes/sweets/drinks on the team night out. But this is because he is lovely and a generous bloke - others of the same level are rarely as generous (we're talking generous 6 figure salaries as his level).

Never had a manager buy gifts from their own pocket and would be horrified if they had tbh.

SophieTurnersEyebrows · 10/10/2020 19:44

I'm a manager and always get my team something, although it's not a massive team (5).
In the past it has been things like:

  • mug and coaster for desk each
  • hotel chocolat chocs
  • bottle nice wine
  • costa voucher
  • fancy soap

I also chuck some money in the pot for drinks at Xmas meal, and my own boss usually chucks in double my contribution. I also give small Easter eggs at Easter.

I do this because I want to, not because it is expected or I feel obliged, and it's a usually a small token of appreciation for hard work.

EmmaStone · 10/10/2020 19:52

I'm lucky enough to report to 2 bosses - 1 tends to get us all a bottle of champagne each (she has 4 reports), the other buys a lovely candle, (she has approx 10-12 reports). Xmas meal is paid for by the company.