Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Presents for team. Is there really anything better than chocolate or booze?

82 replies

Nyedilemma · 07/12/2022 20:40

Or maybe biscuits or a plant?

I have about 10 people to buy for so £10 each is about the budget.

I can try and get thoughtful individual gifts, but I know some of them better than others and the ones I know best, I don't think I know on a choose something they'll love level. I know one runs, one plays golf, one is a foodie, I know how many kids they have and what their husband's names are, but I don't claim to be good friends with any of them. I do think think they'd want me to be.

So on that basis is it best to go for chocolate/wine/plant which shows little thought and which they may or may not like but is at least easy to pass on or put more effort into trying to do something thoughtful, which is also unlikely to be a huge hit?

OP posts:
Original poster
Nyedilemma · 07/12/2022 20:41

I don't think they'd want me to be

OP posts:
Oldjumper · 07/12/2022 20:43

Gift box of biscuits plus a costa voucher?
surely everyone could find a use for those?

GoodVibesHere · 07/12/2022 21:04

You can't beat a box of chocs in my opinion (I don't drink).

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General shopping
Squeezedsquash · 07/12/2022 21:07

I used to have a smaller budget. Did chocolates, Christmas tree decorations (themed on an office joke), spice kits from the spicery. I rarely drink and neither did folk in my team.

Findyourneutralspace · 07/12/2022 21:11

I would get booze as a blanket gift. Some people do t drink and some (lots) have secret struggles with it.
Chocolate, coffee, order takeaway on the last day before Christmas, that kind of thing. Or if you really want to be nice, let them all leave an hour early!

stuntbubbles · 07/12/2022 21:14

Definitely chocolates! £10 is a decent box. You don’t want to end up trying to do personalised gifts and showing how some people are better known than others. Not booze; not everyone drinks. OK, not everyone eats chocolates but it’s less likely to be an issue.

I’d do chocolates to the full £10 value rather than a skimpier box and a voucher, which seems bitty.

ouch321 · 07/12/2022 21:16

Please not alcohol

Wigeon · 07/12/2022 21:21

I’m always really touched if my boss gets me a Christmas present of any kind (in fact she just gave me one today, I’m sure it’ll be a token thing but nice), I don’t expect it and it’s definitely the thought that counts. I’d actually probably think it was a bit weird if it was personalised. Just chocolates is totally fine! And not even £10 worth necessarily, eg Hotel Chocolat do those nice sets of penguins/gingerbread men/trees which are good quality but not too pricey.

BarbaraVineFan · 07/12/2022 21:23

I have just bought everyone in my team a Christmas tree decoration themed on what we do- they were about £7 each I think

UnderPowered · 07/12/2022 21:24

£10 voucher for Costa / M&S / a book shop. Anywhere really. It's too difficult to pick a gift that everyone likes otherwise.

UsingChangeofName · 07/12/2022 21:30

Definitely don't try and personalise.
That could be weird, and will definitely start being uneven (as you say, you don't know some as well).
Biscuits, booze (if you are aware they all drink), chocolate, plants all would work (though depends how get into office - plants are quite difficult to get home on a crowded bus, or if you are going somewhere else before heading home).

OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside · 07/12/2022 21:30

My partners boss last year got him a lovely photo frame with a lottery ticket in it
Nobody in the team won but it was a lovely idea

ChristmasCakeAndStilton · 07/12/2022 21:36

Chocolate/booze/biscuits/plant would be my prefered generic presents.
A £10 voucher, unless you already use the shop - and i dont drink coffee - costs money to use up.

stuntbubbles · 07/12/2022 21:37

Don’t do a lottery ticket! Gambling can be as triggering as booze. Chocolates or a gift card is safe and most people will appreciate it, even if you get the rare trout who can only have vegan nut-free sugar-free chocolates – it’s an easy regift.

toomanypillows · 07/12/2022 21:43

Ohh I get so many generic gifts of chocolates at work but I'm diabetic and I can't eat them. Maybe not chocolates unless you definitely know they'll enjoy them. I end up just giving them away every year

Rainbowqueeen · 07/12/2022 21:46

I’d do a voucher for a coffee place or similar.

NormalNans · 07/12/2022 22:24

I’m going to get my team a nice candle or something, some of them don’t drink and a few don’t eat sugar.

Maybe a little plant as well.

thelionthewitchtheaudacityofTHISbitch · 07/12/2022 22:25

Definitely not alcohol these days. If you give me chocolates, sorry no matter how nice - straight to the food bank. We don't do those.

So a voucher - standard store - M&S , Boots, sainsbury, Amazon, etc - lovely - thank you really appreciated. Can you offer a choice?

You are buying for a lot of people, in a really tough year (few years) - for many that money will help towards Christmas.

Original poster
Nyedilemma · 07/12/2022 22:32

NormalNans · 07/12/2022 22:24

I’m going to get my team a nice candle or something, some of them don’t drink and a few don’t eat sugar.

Maybe a little plant as well.

I often seem to do candles, but I know every candle I've ever been given has been regifted often to my staff Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
Nyedilemma · 07/12/2022 22:33

toomanypillows · 07/12/2022 21:43

Ohh I get so many generic gifts of chocolates at work but I'm diabetic and I can't eat them. Maybe not chocolates unless you definitely know they'll enjoy them. I end up just giving them away every year

I think even people who like chocolate get too many at Christmas. Our staffroom is always full of things people were given but don't want to eat once we get to NY resolutions.

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 07/12/2022 22:47

NormalNans · 07/12/2022 22:24

I’m going to get my team a nice candle or something, some of them don’t drink and a few don’t eat sugar.

Maybe a little plant as well.

and a lot of people don't use candles.....

The key is, something that is easy to re-gift when it is a non-personal gift like this, which is where nice chocs, biscuits, food gifts, and bottles of wine can be handy.

Blanketpolicy · 07/12/2022 22:47

I hate coffee and have been to costa twice in my life. Never understood why people say you cant go wrong with a costa voucher.

Booze or chocolates are ideal and easily regifted or put in a charity raffle if not wanted. It is only a £10 token gift, don't over think it.

jellydaydream · 07/12/2022 22:49

Greggs voucher every time.

Original poster
Nyedilemma · 07/12/2022 22:50

Blanketpolicy · 07/12/2022 22:47

I hate coffee and have been to costa twice in my life. Never understood why people say you cant go wrong with a costa voucher.

Booze or chocolates are ideal and easily regifted or put in a charity raffle if not wanted. It is only a £10 token gift, don't over think it.

Yes, I'd guarantee most of those Costa vouchers never get spent. I do like coffee but if I have one out it will be a spur of the moment thing when I don't have the voucher with me.

OP posts:
Pinchelada · 07/12/2022 22:51

I don't drink and I have a colleague who nobody knows is a recovering alcoholic. I'd be wary of giving booze unless you know them very well.

Swipe left for the next trending thread