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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if your manager gets you a Christmas present

99 replies

Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2021 16:16

and if so, what is it?

I’ve only got 2 direct reports so it’s not extravagant.

Wine and chocolates - bit naff?
Nice toiletries?
Candle? I like them but there’s a limit…

Bah. I’m thinking option 1 might be best. But that’s what the company are buying us so it’s a bit boring to get it twice.

£20 in an envelope?

OP posts:
SystemOverloaded · 09/12/2021 17:22

I get my staff a box of biscuits or chocolates from Marks and a £100 shopping voucher. I also pay for the Christmas meal and drinks out for them and their partner. I fully appreciate how hard they work throughout the year!

Fastforwardtospring · 09/12/2021 17:29

Love to shop voucher last year, was a pleasant surprise as arrived by email (WFH) amongst all my work ones and had fun following the link! In normal times I’ve had wine but I haven’t seen my manager face to face since the Pandemic started.

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 09/12/2021 17:32

Yes, I have had wine and/or chocolates from line managers in the past. When I was a LM I used to buy my team chocolate Santas or similar (and Easter eggs at Easter). I think these little gestures help morale - it doesn't really matter if the present isn't original or expensive, it's the fact your LM made the effort.

Banani · 09/12/2021 17:38

Ours gives us some sort of festive greenery/plant - wreath, mini potted tree in the post, poinsettia etc

YetAnotherManicMonday1234 · 09/12/2021 17:40

I’m self employed. I might have to implement this as policy. Hotel Chocolat here we come!

Helpstopthepain · 09/12/2021 17:41

Absolutely nothing. Sometimes we are really lucky and get a lunch break on Christmas Day!

You sound lovely, I’m sure they would love whatever you decide.

catgirl1976 · 09/12/2021 17:41

I’ve just finished putting 12 bottles of wine and Prosecco into gift bags for my team. It’s not imaginative but it’s a little something and fairly safe. If someone didn’t drink it would be chocolates. Naff I know and not exactly thoughtful but….

notacooldad · 09/12/2021 17:44

We normal get a bottle of wine.
This comes out of their own money as we work for a county council. We also get a birthday present.

BugsyDrakeTableScape · 09/12/2021 17:49

I buy chocolate for my team - unoriginal but they are a big team of diverse people and finding something that works for all of them is tricky (drinkers/non drinkers/different locations etc). It always seems well received (or they hide it well!) and hopefully it is the thought that counts

OverByYer · 09/12/2021 17:49

We normally get a bottle of wine. I paid for my staff to have a buffet and will get them all a bottle of wine.
Out of my own pocket though, public sector

ginsparkles · 09/12/2021 17:50

Mine does because we are a small business and we are friends as much as boss/employee. I also buy a box of chocolates or small gift for each of the team.

AngelonTopoftheTree · 09/12/2021 17:53

Usually a bottle of wine but I had a new boss last year and she got us a Just Eat voucher, which actually was great - got to treat the family to a takeaway during holiday season.
Unfortunately she's gone now. No idea what new boss will do.

Babyvenusplant · 09/12/2021 17:57

Could you find out their favorite type of drink (wine, gin etc.. ) and get them that?

Pollaidh · 09/12/2021 17:57

Public sector - nothing from my line manager ever, it's just not in our team culture. We've always had quite a work from home model, long before Covid, so I don't know if that has an impact on likelihood. I also won't be getting anything for team, plus not sure I'm even allowed to send a card to a home address.

Last time I had a gift it was nearly 20 years ago, public sector before the economic crash, and we all got a hamper, worth maybe £30, but that was from the organisation as a whole rather than line manager.

DH has always worked in senior roles in big corporates or start ups. Gifts are very modest, like an Easter Egg at Easter, the odd bottle of wine.

ThinWomansBrain · 09/12/2021 18:07

are you talking about a gift personally from the manager, or from the organisation?
Whether I get my teams a gift from me depends on how big the team is, wjether they've been wotking as a team and supporting me, and frankly - whether I like them or not.
Always treat everyone equally - usually chocolates; I work in a sector where alcohol gifts usually not encouraged.

Was also once in a situation where I had to annonce redundancies mid december - decided it wouldn't be v diplomatic to give gifts, they all hated me anyway. Such an unjolly christmas lunch.

Beurre · 09/12/2021 18:12

Work in public sector, no gifts - not even biscuits for the team. I buy the team chocolates to get into the spirit.

topcat2014 · 09/12/2021 18:13

I have always bought my staff small gifts, and Easter eggs. It's not my company though. I don't spend £100 on my wife so it would be strange and expensive to spend that on staff.

WhenSepEnds · 09/12/2021 18:14

I but my team of 10 staff a bottle of Prosecco or wine each

MonkeyPuddle · 09/12/2021 18:23

I used to work in a GP surgery and the GP’s clubbed together and made all the staff a gift bag. Last year had a candle votive holder, face mask, small bar of decent chocolate and a bottle of wine in it. Very much appreciated by all staff.

Kshhuxnxk · 09/12/2021 18:28

Normally prosecco, tk maxx candle type thing. Nice to be appreciated.

Roundeartheratchriatmas · 09/12/2021 18:32

Of course they don’t ! I mean I’d like one but no I’ve never ever come across this concept.

Bellafrenum · 09/12/2021 18:33

She normally just gets me pissed at the party. Love her.

NoAprilFool · 09/12/2021 18:34

I have 3 direct reports so am getting them all something different that I think they’d like (similar value)

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 09/12/2021 18:37

We got a £15 Hotel Chocolat voucher last year. I think he kinda felt bullied into it coz he joined the team at the beginning of lockdown and predecessor used to get wine until bah humbug said not to encourage drinking duty of care blah blah and switched to chocs. Pretty sure she used to put it on team cost centre though.
Let's see what he does this year...

OldTotty · 09/12/2021 18:38

So the company i work for give 15% as a bonus. Direct managers give nothing. Not even booze. I find that uncharitable so i am hosting a lunch, cost to me. I am paid well so i would normally buy gifts. The owners would not like that. Odd private company.