AIBU?
Is this an inconvenient gift?
deneedenee · 11/06/2017 20:53
My boss is retiring soon and I'm organising the big(ger) farewell and gift.
So far there is about £120 in the gift envelope, and someone suggested I get him an overnight stay somewhere via Groupon or similar.
Had a look today and there's a deal for a 2 night stay in the Lake District, with breakfast, cream tea and a cruise on Lake Windermere for £169. I'm still expecting some contributions to the envelope, and also have money set aside just from those in our office, so plenty to cover the cost.
However ,we're in Scotland. I know he's been to the LD a few times, really likes it and is always telling me I need to go.
But is it an inconvenient gift if he has to drive there, buy dinner etc?
I'm not 100% about the hotel. It's only 3 star and he's quite an experienced traveller, so may not be up to his standard. But in theory, is this type of gift a nice idea or just a hassle for someone? I might see what I can find closer to home, but from the point of view of the extra expenses involved, what do you think?
deneedenee · 11/06/2017 20:58
Okay! I thought since he be retired, the restriction on dates/weekends would be okay, but this is pretty conclusive. I'll certainly not go so far afield. Any suggestions up this way for either a really fancy restaurant or a nice hotel chain who do gift vouchers?
AgentProvocateur · 11/06/2017 20:59
Anything through groupon can be a hassle, because it has an expiry date and many dates when the offer isn't available. Groupon guests often get the worst rooms too. Get him Hilton vouchers, or St Andres Bay where they can be exchanged at full face value.
, but I don't really like giving hard cash in this situation and he's not a flowery kind of guy.
elevenclips · 11/06/2017 21:09
Yes it's inconvenient and requires further spending which when you retire is exactly what you don't want.
Anyway. I thought the thing these days was to get the recipient a token gift and provide the rest as hard cash. Eg you collect £150 you buy a gift under £20 (depending on what recipient will like) and give £130 cash.
elevenclips · 11/06/2017 21:10
If get restaurant voucher better to get it for slightly under the amount and top up with cash. It's crap going to a restaurant the bill being forty five quid and you have to hand over your fifty quid voucher and they don't give change. Better to get forty quid voucher and top up with cash.
GU24Mum · 11/06/2017 21:13
If there's nothing he wants as a present (have you or someone else asked him.....?), I'd get a small token present like others have suggested then either the money or a voucher for something he can use on lots of different things rather than tie him down whether it's to a particular deal/hotel/small chain. So for me, book tokens/M&S voucher etc are all boring but safe : theatre tokens, specific offers are far more likely to look at him accusingly until their expiry date!!
jamrock · 11/06/2017 21:14
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