Gifts for all my team

[KeyboardWorriers]

I got promoted at the start of last year, now managing a team of 15 professionals.
Our old boss always sorted a gift for everyone, so I feel the pressure to do the same. I don't have a huge budget (as housing costs expensive round here).

I am thinking I will put a contribution towards the team meal and get a token gift for everyone but I can't think what to do....

Our old boss used to bake or make jam or similar for everyone but I don't have any of her skills, so it definitely needs to be something I buy!

What is the budget. In the past I’ve bought my team members boxes of fancy shortbread, lucky dip lottery tickets and £10 M+S gift cards (enough to cover a meal deal for 2 or other treats of their choice), a group trip to an escape room, a team breakfast at a local Premier Inn. All have gone down well.

When I was managing a similar sized team I did something similar. I paid for the drinks at the Xmas meal, and gave everyone a token gift. I've given candles (Serenity by Jen on Etsy; Lily-flame tins), another it was Xmas fragranced shower gel. I wrapped them all identically and they did a sort of lucky dip at the meal, so no favourism and they were free to swap.

For the family, in the past I've made crackers and popped in a scratch card, chocolate coins, topical jokes and Xmas decoration. Again, Etsy is a good place to look for these. Last year's included rainbow coloured fused glass Xmas trees.

That reminds me, I've offered to make some again this year...

I think I am prepared to spend about £3 pp as well as bunging £50 or so into the meal (I know that's not much but I just can't spend heaps)

I like the candle idea!

I am wary of chocolate or similar as quite a few of my team have special diets /are vegan etc

Can you let them leave a couple of hours early and they can pick the day in December if you have the authority to do that? That's what I always do with my staff in Dec, they all pick a half day so they can do Xmas shopping, the higher up bosses don't know I do this but my sector is v quiet this time of year so I don't think it matters

Forget the £50. I’d buy a couple of cases of wine and give everyone a bottle with an alternative for anyone who doesn’t drink. Or maybe a little Christmas tree decoration each.

Actually, with 15 i think I’d organise a secret Santa for the team with clear rules.

We get an extra days leave on Xmas Eve plus an afternoon for the Christmas meal earlier in December, this is more for something token from me.or do you think most people would prefer I just contributed a larger amount to the Xmas meal?

We usually get a box of Lindt chocolates from my boss at Xmas. She has also been known to give us all an Amazon or Waterstones voucher.