Christmas gift from work

[LajesticVantrashell]

So, I've been given the unenviable task of coming up with suggestions for work gifts.

There are around 100 of us, geographically spread out. Every year, my company throws a big bash, gives us the afternoon off, free food and drinks. Most people go. It's enjoyed by all.

We obviously can't do that this year so they want to give everyone a gift (budget £75-£100 each). The MD wanted to give everyone a bottle of whiskey from the distillery next to us, but I've pushed back on that as not everyone drinks, and not everyone drinks whisky!

They're not sold on vouchers or hampers, but I think this is the best option as it gives people choice. I keep reiterating that it's not a thank you if you're given something you don't want or can't use.

So with that budget, what would you appreciate most from your company??

I think this thread just illustrates some of the whinging you’ll be up against, OP!

Honestly, I’m easily pleased so would be delighted with a voucher or a hamper or a nice box of chocolates and wine.

However, from your POV, it’s going to be a nightmare. Not only will you need everyone’s home address (and I know where I work, lots of people aren’t currently living at their usual address as they’ve moved in with family temporarily due to lockdown, more space to WFH etc. so doing this would require asking everyone individually to confirm where they want their item shipped) but it’s a bit of a GDPR pain too- as soon as you ask people for addresses they’ll get cagey.

If I were you, I’d push for either-
A generic voucher (All4One or similar) what can be sent via email to work email addresses
The Friday off in lieu of the Christmas party.

John Lewis vouchers would be ideal - can also be used in Waitrose

Should add dp's decided to simply postpone the Christmas bash to the summer when (hopefully) the plan is for the best party ever!

@PersonaNonGarter

Just Eat vouchers.

That way people can have a ‘party’ with their families or in their bubble. Or if they are single can get a few take aways.

Nothing will suit everyone, but at least this is in the spirit of the Christmas party they are missing rather than a completely different gift.

And hell no to the whiskey.

Definitely not - plenty of people live in areas with no or few JustEat options nearby.

While I understand there are tax implications, a cash bonus will probably be best received by all.

Hampers are kind of crap at the best of times, and a bunch of people will be stiffed because they have dietary restrictions. They're also a large parcel; just because people are working from home doesn't mean they're at home 24/7.

Vouchers are somewhat "safe" but some people will have trouble spending in particular shops.

Tech gifts might be an idea, but not everyone will particularly want one.

A gift card that can be used in several places, or a choice of vouchers is probably the way to go. That should cover as many preferences as possible.

As well as tax implications, cash could cause problems for anyone on means tested benefits. When there was a well publicised one off bonus given out by Greggs, it was reported that some people would only see about a quarter of the money, due to tax and loss of UC etc.

Supermarket voucher, defo. My mum started giving us these a couple of years ago and it’s so useful for the weeks after Christmas when we’ve been paid earlier Han usual in December and the usual last working day in January.

John Lewis vouchers (including waitrose) and pay the tax liability for them. That it what my former company did. The amount varied by role- I got £300. This is a cheap option for postage which allows more cash to pay the tax.

They sent a Harrods hamper 1 year- most went to the food bank- wine eventual got pourers away after about 3 years of being un drunk

Also sent cheap NV champagne in a wooden box which was very fur cost and no knickers.

Lovely thing to be doing, particularly in these financially precarious times (for both businesses and individuals) A prepaid card / voucher (with plenty of spending options I.e supermarket or amazon) / cash bonus / day off would be my choices!

I already give to multiple charities and would resent someone effectively using my bonus to do this for me.

Clearly tax implications need to be considered and it does sound like a bit of a thankless task, best of luck with it.

Voucher, definitely. Hampers never have all the items in that people really like. Who wouldn't appreciate a £100 voucher to spend in the supermarket in the run up to Christmas?

Also, don't do alcohol gifts. We don't drink and although i appreciate the gesture there's nothing worse than receiving a bottle of something you don't drink. That often happens with colleagues despite me making it clear I don't do alcohol.

I was always grateful for whatever gift I got when in the private sector.

However, given you're thinking about it what about a Google form with a choice of:

1. Whisky as suggested
2. Christmas Hamper (vegan/not vegan or whatever)
3. Voucher for somewhere e.g. Amazon
4. Donation to charity

That way people could choose?

I also very much like the free duvet day idea.

For everyone suggesting John Lewis vouchers as you can use them in Waitrose, this only applies to parts of the U.K. huge swathes of the country do not have a Waitrose nearby and they do not deliver to big chunks of the country. I would love to be able to shop at Waitrose.

I like the idea of a catalogue of gifts people can choose from.

List 5 options and ask everyone to pick their preferred!

Another vote for supermarket voucher- easiest to use & will actually be useful/helpful. Hampers seem so wasteful & poor value for money in comparison to a heavily subsidised weekly shop!

Vouchers have the same tax implications as cash. I was looking at this and my friend who was an HR Director told me this. So a gift is fine but cash or voucher incurs tax.

@BrunoMars

How about suggesting you make a company donation to a charity instead this year?

What is a member of staff is really struggling. That may be food on the table or a coat for a DC etc.

I’d do John Lewis as they also do online gift cards do you don’t even need to send an actual gift card. Each manager could just send a nice Christmas card.

Just eat is no good for those who live in the sticks...we can't get a single thing delivered to us and we're in a rural village

Failing that I’d go for a hamper - surely everyone loves a hamper at Christmas?

Nope. I would hate to receive a hamper from
anyone, at any time of year.

Vouchers for a range of retailers are your best bet here I think.

Ask people if they prefer a Butchers Box or a Grocers Box and when they would prefer it - just before or just after the festive break.

My husband's work give vouchers sometimes (reward and recognition). You can't take cash but you can choose what shop to have a voucher from, in a given range. Most recently he chose Argos. Amazon were part of it in the past, his mates were complaining when that stopped. The next best thing to cash in my opinion (which frankly is the only gift - aside from time off- that anyone wants from work).

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Ask people if they prefer a Butchers Box or a Grocers Box and when they would prefer it - just before or just after the festive break.

And if they’re not a foodie?

That’s the exact same gift in two different variations; it’s not a choice and I would find it an awful gift.

If you’re going to give a choice then make the choices totally different from each other.

What is a member of staff is really struggling. That may be food on the table or a coat for a DC etc.

Fridgeandkitchen What if they are? This is a gift they wouldn’t normally receive as they usually have a big party, so it’s not as if they’re relying on it.

I agree a charity donation is a poor idea, but it’s not up to the company to directly provide food to their employees.

You don't have to be a foodie to eat meat or veg?