Xmas token for team

[FFSWhatToDoNow]

This is my second Xmas with my team, who are all incredibly hard working. There are 14 of them, spread all over the country. Last year I did them each a little gift box with shortbread and chocolates etc but it took a lot of time and effort and cost about £4 each in postage. (I’m paying.)

Looking to simplify this year and just send them each a £10 voucher and handwritten note saying thank you for all their hard work. Question is, which voucher. I’ve done M+S before, but have been boycotting them for years. Tesco doesn’t feel very special. There’s a possibility of redundancies next year and I don’t think John Lewis/Waitrose is very tactful
if they are trying to save money and not buy things.

So where best to get a voucher?

6 whole chocolates for £12 plus best part of a fiver postage?

we’ve rather strayed from the original question.

@FFSWhatToDoNow thats the point though , you pay someone else to make the effort , but it still looks like you’ve put some thought / care in which IMO a voucher for anywhere does not . I’d rather get £10 of scratch cards than a voucher .

Why are you boycotting M&S? I have to be honest that would be the best general retailer - their ranges would cover a lot of options for most types of families.

OP I'm doing similar for my team and am going for Amazon vouchers - printed and put in a Christmas card with a handwritten and personal message.

We are spread all over the UK so this is the best way to ensure people can use them.

Although there's bound to be someone who disapproves of Amazon 😬

Reasons well covered on the Feminism boards.

Apologies for straying earlier in the thread you said that sounded good. Hence the link. I'm not going to review price points or delivery for you!

Send an M&S voucher. You boycotting a perfectly normal shop which is easily accessible for people is a bit ott

DH has a lovely employer (or a very thoughtful HR person).

During lockdown we had quite a few Biscuiteer gifts/mini hampers/boxes of macaroons.

You need to google "Corporate thank you" gifts.

How about a cracker or minibox from Hotel Chocolat? It is something that is easily regiftable?

The price point was important. And I mentioned postage costs being a concern in the OP. I could find millions of things for more than I want to spend with additional postage on top.

If I have to engage in a festival I choose not to celebrate myself, in order to be thankful to a team who work really hard, deserting my morals shouldn’t have to be part of the deal.

14 isn’t enough for most corporate orders.

And I still have the issue of having to post boxes myself with those.

The challenge with all these types is that once you start adding postage it takes it right up over the £10.

Fine if employer is paying but starts to become unaffordable if personally paying.

They are lovely though.

I really need something easy this year. I’m on the edge of ADHD burnout and also trying to be mindful about sending very luxury items when people may lose their jobs in January.

Hence vouchers that can be used for treats or to supplement normal spending if they choose to.

I sent Waitrose shortbread and Malteser reindeer etc last year and they loved it. I don’t need to go Fortnum and Mason levels with them but I want to try and be a little thoughtful.

please don’t get a one4all card or similar multi store one. They are horrendous to use, I’ve had dozens run out etc.

how about boots?

Can you send everyone a Christmas email saying you are gifting everyone a £10 gift card so could they please say what retailer they would like.
I wouldn't be particularly interested in John Lewis/Waitrose/M+S.
I would prefer places like Argos/B+M/The Works.
Everyone is different - unless you go for Amazon you are never going to find a voucher that everyone likes.

Deliveroo voucher?

I do the admin for our workplace employee perk platform and it's our most popular perk.
That or a John Lewis voucher because it can also be spent at Waitrose.
Costa / Starbucks / Cafe Nero vouchers are also popular.

@FFSWhatToDoNow actually having just read your latest post I would just go for Amazon. I should imagine everyone can find something to treat themselves to from Amazon.

This seems like a great idea, they can each pick their own then. Everyone will be happy.

What about Boots?

there’s loads of different things you can get from Boots.

Great idea, or pay it direct into their account (ask payroll to do it) HMRC give the employer £150.00 per employee as a tax break for Christmas bonuses or party so they are not going to mind £10 surely.

It’s a charity. There is absolutely no way they are going to do this for 14 out of a couple of thousand employees, unfortunately.

Have a look at NotOnTheHighStreet - they seem to have lots of things badged as “letterbox gifts” for under £10, quite a few with free delivery, or where delivery wouldn’t take you much over the £10. I’d personally love something like this but obviously your team’s tastes may vary!

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/sistir/product/coffee-explorer-letterbox-gift-christmas-themed

Spoils the surprise and I may as well just send tenners (unsafe) if I’m going to do that.

You've rejected literally every suggestion made. 😂😂😂

You are coming across as rather difficult now, you've had lots of good ideas on this thread. Not sure what your after? It's hard to buy one voucher that all 14 people would be happy with unless you ask them which one they would like.

Yeah not sure why you asked really. Save yourself the trouble and don't bother.