Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be having buyers remorse for gifts for office employees

220 replies

TowerRavenSeven · 17/12/2019 21:32

I work in a non profit charity office, was hired a little over two months ago. The company is progressive and really tries to cut down on waste, plastic, etc. There are 12 of us, ranging from 22 - 50 for context.

I got for each one of my co-workers a roll (cut to size) beeswax fabric that you use instead of plastic wrap on bowls, etc. I use it and haven’t used plastic wrap in a year, and it really does a good job and you just wipe it clean between uses. It has a decorative label explaining what it is and how to use it, the fabrics are solid red, green and navy. Each one was about £12.

I’m now rethinking this gift. Would you think this an odd gift? It’s either this or nice chocolates. I use mine all the time and would think maybe it’s something that would be handy but you wouldn’t buy yourself so would be a good gift (Or at least not an awful gift)

Yabu = You’d think this gift odd
Yanbu = You’d think this gift a bit unconventional but a nice idea

OP posts:
topcat2014 · 17/12/2019 21:45

Mind you I see you are in a charity, whereas I am in a factory.

Todaythiscouldbe · 17/12/2019 21:45

This would be a perfect gift for me, and everyone in my office. Much better than more wine or chocolates.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 17/12/2019 21:46

Lovely idea I think.

Could you link to them please? My best mate would love that as a gift.

Parkandride · 17/12/2019 21:46

I'd love that rather than the usual tat

Bodear · 17/12/2019 21:47

I’d love it and be really chuffed. It might depend on what age your colleagues are. I probably wouldn’t have loved it at 21.

victoriashleigh · 17/12/2019 21:47

Great idea! I actually wanted to ask for some for Christmas myself but thought people wouldn’t like to buy “kitchen stuff” as a gift. Definitely will be buying some in the new year. Grin

katy1213 · 17/12/2019 21:48

I'd be opting out of buying presents for an entire office, especially when I barely know them. I thought secret santa was pain enough.

londonrach · 17/12/2019 21:48

Yabu....giving a gift to people who know less than two months is strange and odd. Maybe box of biscuits for office.

MintyMabel · 17/12/2019 21:49

Odd. I’d probably just shove it in a cupboard.

FrankRattlesnake · 17/12/2019 21:50

Lovely gift idea, but I am highly allergic to pine resin, often used in beeswax wraps (to make them stick)... so I would be a bit 'meh' about it!

Fig678 · 17/12/2019 21:53

Love this idea. I’ve seen them but for a few pounds on eBay and they’re great

Uncompromisingwoman · 17/12/2019 21:53

Lovely idea - I've gone and bought some!

mincepiemaven · 17/12/2019 21:55

I'd love this!

Luxembourgmama · 17/12/2019 21:56

Too expensive for work colleagues but otherwise a super idea. I hate tat

TeachesOfPeaches · 17/12/2019 21:56

Why have you bought presents for the entire office? Do you not do a Secret Santa?

I've seen these items on Dragons Den or a similar show and thought they looked very good but pricey.

TowerRavenSeven · 17/12/2019 21:57

I asked if office usually did gifts for each other and was told yes. Knowing the employees I can see gifts ranging from $5 to $15 US (I’d be happy with a card or nothing honestly) so I thought the price was somewhere in the middle. They were $10 US so thought they’d be around £12. I could be wrong in my math.

OP posts:
MotherOfWren · 17/12/2019 21:58

I'd love that as a gift! and would definitely prefer it to chocolate :)

eaglejulesk · 17/12/2019 22:00

It's a great idea - I would be happy to get that for a gift.

Ffsnosexallowed · 17/12/2019 22:00

I'd love it!

CottonSock · 17/12/2019 22:02

I'm getting some for Christmas. Wouldn't spend that much though.

ChristmasConcert · 17/12/2019 22:02

You've gone the wrong way, it's about £7.50 GBP so not an unreasonable price at all.

I think it's a fab present and they will all appreciate it. My DD (11) insists on using tinfoil instead of clingfilm for her school packed lunch, and I know her godmother has got her some of that beeswax stuff for Christmas; she'll love it! So would I!

TowerRavenSeven · 17/12/2019 22:02

No Secret Santa. Everywhere I’ve worked people get individual gifts for each other. I was going to crochet Christmas socks and put homemade (unscented and no fragrance) soaps in them but I just learned about it yesterday and it is for Thursday, I can’t crochet that fast! I’m part time so kind of out of the loop.

OP posts:
bigbubbles · 17/12/2019 22:03

I bought some for about £3 for my niece and DD but I wouldn't really see them as an adult gift personally.

MarianaMoatedGrange · 17/12/2019 22:04

Any vegans there? They might not be happy with beeswax products.

TowerRavenSeven · 17/12/2019 22:04

I knew I’d screw up the math!

OP posts: