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Original poster

Employer's gifts

188 replies

DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand · 03/11/2022 16:37

If you get Christmas gifts from your employer, what was the one you liked best? I've been asked to buy gifts (the same for everyone) for our staff. Currently it's all women (30 - 50 age range) and the budget is £100 per person. Apparently they've already done make up bags, passport covers, scarves, candles, vouchers, etc. Please do not suggest money as they also get Xmas bonuses already. Help please as I have no idea what to get! Thank you.

OP posts:
PearlclutchersInc · 04/11/2022 16:39

Personally I'd prefer a decent salary increase rather than that I'll never use or wear.

StuntNun · 04/11/2022 16:40

My DH got a gourmet cook at home hamper that you made while watching a video on how to prepare everything. It was a nice treat.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/11/2022 18:09

butmumineedit · 04/11/2022 15:57

A pom-pom bag pompomlondon.com/collections/bags

Really good value and am sure the majority of the recipients would be happy with it.

I think this illustrates perfectly how the OP has an impossible task. I really don't like, and wouldn't use those bags.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas General shopping
Over7billiongendersbut2sexes · 04/11/2022 19:06

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/11/2022 18:09

I think this illustrates perfectly how the OP has an impossible task. I really don't like, and wouldn't use those bags.

Show quote history

Me neither - too small to fit everything I need in.

Twentypast · 04/11/2022 20:11

FeelMyBicep · 03/11/2022 20:49

We each get a real 6ft Christmas tree at the end of November & a bottle of what we fancy in the run up to Christmas

What about non Christians? I wouldn't want a Christmas tree.

kitcat15 · 04/11/2022 20:17

tigger1001 · 04/11/2022 16:37

"can’t believe you haven’t heard of Betty’s 😱"

Until this thread, I hadn't heard of them either

Google ‘fat rascals’……yum yum😋

Ted27 · 04/11/2022 20:26

@FeelMyBicep

What if your house can't accommodate a 6ft tree?
I couldn't nor would I want the hassle of disposing of it.
We have a living tree - we are on year 3 of the current one, the previous one lasted 10 years

oceanbleu · 04/11/2022 20:33

I'd love a John Lewis voucher to be honest and buy myself diptyque candles Smile I wouldn't ever buy them myself so getting a voucher is a real treat.

OrangePomander · 04/11/2022 20:35

Cash, or a voucher that can be used in multiple places.

OrangePomander · 04/11/2022 20:37

Actually, I’d prefer an extra day paid holiday.

LittleLottle · 04/11/2022 21:27

Can't believe some of the things that cost £100 on this thread, like a small candle, a notebook, some mugs! I'd much prefer the cash over any of those.

edwinbear · 04/11/2022 21:36

I think pretty much most people would prefer cash or vouchers, but OP has specifically been instructed no cash or vouchers. The brief, as I understand, is a fairly generic, inoffensive, physical item, that can be posted abroad relatively easily. I don’t envy you OP!

NCFT0922 · 04/11/2022 21:38

We give our employees vouchers.

EspeciallyD · 04/11/2022 21:39

We can't fit a 6' Christmas tree in, they are too wide. We have a smaller one on a table and going to the farm to cut it ourselves is one of our favourite Christmas traditions so that would be a no thanks from me.

As would the pompom bags, they don't appral to me at all and no way would I want to turn up at work with the exact same bag as everyone else.

tigger1001 · 04/11/2022 21:47

edwinbear · 04/11/2022 21:36

I think pretty much most people would prefer cash or vouchers, but OP has specifically been instructed no cash or vouchers. The brief, as I understand, is a fairly generic, inoffensive, physical item, that can be posted abroad relatively easily. I don’t envy you OP!

I agree. It's a pretty shit brief.

It's really the employers wanting to appear to be great "look at the gifts we bought". Without actually thinking about their staff as individuals.

BobbyBobbyBobby · 04/11/2022 21:51

That bag is horrible.

tigger1001 · 04/11/2022 21:55

"Google ‘fat rascals’……yum yum😋"

Not for me.

Did have a look at the hampers though - Jesus you don't get a lot for £100 😳

Original poster
DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand · 04/11/2022 23:04

I did some 'undercover research' among the staff and decided to go with a Hotel Chocolat velvetiser . Most people said they either love chocolate or their kids do.

A Bluetooth speaker could also have worked. Thanks everyone for the ideas (even if many would not have worked).

OP posts:
edwinbear · 04/11/2022 23:12

Fab - I think that’s a great idea, I’d certainly be be very pleased with that! Glad you found something!

buckeejit · 05/11/2022 00:01

@spiderontheceiling the option of charity donation is a great one. If it was possible to coordinate that. I'd also go back & ask could you do £50 of vouchers & a gift maybe. You could get a blanket/hot water bottle & decent travel mug. Depends how many folk are abroad & where if it becomes a big pain to order them equivalent in their countries.

Facecream · 05/11/2022 00:12

I’d stay away from food altogether:
Thinking not just of non meat eaters but I generally hate Christmas type food.
I don’t drink tea.
There are allergy considerations too - so I’d avoid sending nuts/fish (not sure you’d be doing that) just because I once worked somewhere that we weren’t allowed to carry even a tuna sandwich to that floor because someone had such a severe allergy.

ive just ordered the Clarins advent calendar x 2 for my sisters (reduced at £60 I think) via top cash back and got three free samples and two gifts.

ok lots of people don’t or can’t use certain skincare but it would make a great re-gift at least!

So I would get that, collect up the samples/gifts and spread those around too/keep them, add a bottle of red and one of white… done

Facecream · 05/11/2022 00:14

Sorry OP- missed that you’ve made the decision!

buckeejit · 05/11/2022 00:19

Ah, the velvetiser is great & an easy regift if you don't like it. Try to get the mugs & hot choc selection & maybe a box of chocs for that price. May be worth contacting HC to ask if they'll do a discount for 100 odd.

IfOnlyOCould · 05/11/2022 01:13

I think that's as good a choice as you can do. It's a treat that most people wouldn't buy for themselves but could enjoy. They get good reviews.

Good choice!

ManefesationofConciousness · 05/11/2022 01:27

DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand · 04/11/2022 23:04

I did some 'undercover research' among the staff and decided to go with a Hotel Chocolat velvetiser . Most people said they either love chocolate or their kids do.

A Bluetooth speaker could also have worked. Thanks everyone for the ideas (even if many would not have worked).

Oh no
That is an awful gift- straight to the charity shop
Anyone who wants one will already have one- it was very much 2020 lockdown trend that many people have abandoned. Nasty cheap (but expensive) chocolate.

Just make sure you provide an individual receipt- do they take them back?

Same with a blue tooth speaker- that's 2012- if you want one then you have one.