To be having buyers remorse for gifts for office employees

[TowerRavenSeven]

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

Have any of you read about them or just jumped in and purchased them?

They aren't suitable for all foods.
They can only keep food fresh in the freezer for a couple of weeks
Need refreshing with more beeswax.
Lifespan seems to be 6 months - 2 years

Nice idea, nuts in terms of spending unless you’re rich I guess. I’d not let them know the cost or some of them might feel a bit awkward.
Maybe next time just a couple of boxes of chocs and biccies for the office!

I love mine and have not used cling film for over a year. A couple of weeks ago I got some cotton squares, some beeswax and a paintbrush and made some myself! Cheap and really satisfying to make. Not as sticky as the commercial ones, but I think I need to use a bit more wax next time

They seem like a nice thing but a bit of an odd gift. I don't use clingfilm myself because I have tupperware to put things in.

Ive just ordered some. What a great idea. Ordered extra for presents also.x

Wouldn’t be my cup of tea. They’d probably languish in a drawer until I binned them. I just use tupperware.

I'd think it was a very odd Christmas present. Unless you know someone wants to try it then I don't think understand why you would buy it as a gift. I'd probably throw it away.

Lovely gift imo.

I use mine all the time.

Gokartdillydilly you need a mix of beeswax, jojoba oil and pine resin to make really excellent ones.

blog.mountainroseherbs.com/the-complete-guide-to-diy-beeswax-wraps-including-a-beeless-vegan-food-wrap

I think it is a lovely but expensive gift.
We like ours.

As per, MN isn't very good at allowing for cultural differences

Fabulous gift op. I'd absolutely love that.

And do go ahead and follow the trend where you live - the US, not the UK.

I really like those beeswax wraps.

An office that's trying to be environmentally responsible shouldn't be encouraging extensive gift giving. A white elephant party after Christmas would be better in that sense.

I also think it's expensive gift for something you're giving to all your co-workers. Personally I really disliked the ones I bought last year so I wouldn't appreciate that particular gift, but it seems like most people would definitely like it so I'm just the outlier.

Those wrappers are brilliant! Wonderful gift.

Sorry OP, not what you want to hear but I can't get over the fact you're spending the best part of £150 on Christmas presents for colleagues you've known 2 months. This is going to sound a bit harsh, but it seems unlikely that all 12 of them would be prepared to spend about £12 on the new colleague's Christmas present.

Beeswax wrap is something I'd have no use for and would probably end up in the bin, so that's a no from me.

Neither yanbu or yabu with your descriptions, it's a nice gift and I'd be pleased with it.

I’d love to receive one

Thank you so much for this thread. Present now sorted for sister, mum and considering it for teachers too. DD2's teacher is very young though and not sure if she'd appreciate it

i'd love the gift but that's a lot of money to spend on your office! can you afford it? does everyone give everyone gifts?!

I made some of these for teacher presents in July. They are brilliant

ffswhatnext
I think that's fine. Food shouldn't be in the freezer longer than a couple of months anyway. Refreshing with more beeswax is easy. It takes only a few minutes. I prefer to encourage bee keeping and reduce as much as possible my contribution to plasticisers in groundwater and in food from cling film and other plastics.

Vegans shouldn't be opposed to encouraging the commercial use of bee products. Bees pollinate plants, without which we wouldn't have seeds or food, etc. Bees will be allowed to go extinct unless people find a way to make money from all of their industry. This is because people are incredibly stupid, but also venal.

Hope you're not in the finance dept

This is a lovely idea! I’ve also read that if the beeswax starts to wear away, you can buy more beeswax pellets and just dip the fabric in the melted wax again, let it dry, and it’s ready to use. I need to get some of this, great idea!

Never use cling film so wouldn't use it. Nice idea, but would rather have a nice bottle of wine.