OK, OH earns 125k, his secretary probably earns 35ish, how much should he spend on her Christmas present?

[DontWantToLookTight]

Just that really.
Hev namechanged cos don't want you to all think I'm minted!

santababy: there was some discussion earlier on the thread about property prices and where in london / surrounds that you can get a bit more for your money. HUnker was offeing her knowledge of it, and didnt want to post to much openly about it.

And for what its worth, I really dont think that the OP was bragging in any way at all! firstly changing usual name was the first clue to this.. secondly, it was wholly relevant to the question! giving an idea of earnings and what would be appropriate on that ratio...

am I making any sense?

oh yeah that bit kind of past over my head lol

people hardly ever randomly email me

My mind is boggling.

So wives have to buy presents for DH's secretaries, and apparantly, secretaries often have to shop for their bosses wives.

It's positively Victorian, and defineitley a feminist issue!

I certainly didn't send DP out to shop for the little gifts I gave my staff (mini pannetones).

Back to presents, when I used to work and earnt around or a bit below what the secretary earns (which secretaries around here earnt that kind of money) I didn't really expect huge presents and the salary of my boss didn't even spring to mind when I received them. You're not family or best friends or anything. Just something, to prove you've been thought of is enough - and champagne, I'd never turn my nose up at that. She bought me gorgeous underwear once though, but I suppose a man/woman thing that wouldn't be quite appropriate. A generous bonus was appreciated the most, though.

I remember the days I went out with a man who earnt lots of money in the 90s...sigh, couldn't make it work, sigh... anyway, stop dreaming of what could've been... and he gave his house cleaner Clarins stuff for Christmas. (He actually went out and thought about it and bought it though, which is what counts too) Personally, I'd be very happy with that.

Hell, right now I'd be happy with a Terry's chocolate orange. Don't think I'm getting anything this year.
I've just realised that probably it's too late now and the present has been bought and given now, seeing as Christmas is on Tuesday and everything. Best go to bed.

The secretary is paid to do a job, but if you want her to go the extra mile for the next 12 months and assuming she is good.... If you can afford to, buy her favour now!

I would far rather receive something nice that my boss's wife had chosen than something shite that he had chosen himself

For this reason I buy most of the presents. DH's assistant gets a nice bottle of wine.

DH got a bottle of bubbly and three bottles of wine from his boss - very much appreciated in the Feet household. I would go down the alcohol route deffo.

Salaries involved are nothing like those mentioned in the OP but we are in the Lincolnshire backwaters where one can buy a three bed semi for 150K (and commute to London within a couple of hours )

To Wendy Weber, I'll have you know Ramsbottom, despite it's name is really very nice and rather pricey.

Soapbox - I never said we should get rid of all the city boys, don't put words in my mouth!

I used to work for a firm that is very high profile and the second biggest in its area. The City encouraged the directors to expand into related areas and overseas. Much applause for acquisitions and expansion. Bugger for the staff though, as the company spent a hell of a lot of money, leaving little investment for the original business. Then five minutes later the City decides actually that was the wrong move and the company needs to be split up, cue share price falling through the floor. Now no-one who works there knows if they'll have a job or who the hell they'll be working for.

The City plays games and creates fashions - lot of sheep following each other IMO - but what that means in the real world is the people who actually do the work losing their jobs.

I agree with quattro. It's really crass.

are yopu married to this oh if not then make plans to get married and secure some of his dosh if things go pear shaped

I'm sorry, Lizzylou

I think I might have meant to say Radcliffe - it was a place up here, beginning with R, with one of the other cheap houses in that under £150K house thing

Ramsbottom does sound funnier though!

Radcliffe is still quite cheap (DH is from there originally, the "better" side tho, natch!)
Ramsbottom is lovely, it just sounds funny!

You haven't offended me at all, it just made me laugh, I got loads of stick from my "London" mates when I lived there.

DH was at school with a girl called Ramsbottom. He and his mates wittily called her sheep's arse

(He is sorry now )

pmsl at all this huffiness

£125k is not exactly minted in London is it? Esp if wife doesn't work - won't get you much of a house if you x it by 3.5 for eg...

125k is minted anywhere by any normal person's standards surely? Especially if you compare it, for example, with well-educated, well-qualified public sector workers earning a fifth that amount.

well i think most people would think an individual salary over a 100k is more nthan they would ever expect to earn wherever they live

The Op only mentioned salaries to try and gain perspective on how much should be spent.
£125k is a bloomin great wage, but that is entirely missing the point.

I hope that your OH's Secretary enjoys her gift

the earnings dont relate to gifts tho

so parent earns 400k doesnt mean you get a 4000 quid xmas pressie for each kid does it

It boils down to this. If she's really great, does loads of extra work for him, goes the extra mile and he really values her then get her a nice gift. If she just does her job then just give her something like a bottle of wine. If he feels he needs to get her something expensive to keep her sweet then he should get himself a new secretary!

NO, but it is an indicator as to how much would look too mean/excessive.

I can see that it may make some people think that the Op is being "Flash" but on MN there are loads of people earning more than that and loads earning far less (I am in the second bracket BTW!!!).

i think anything more thn a bottle of wine oir anything more personal than that would be embarrassing to receive

thanks cloud and susie. i did mean it in the margo and jerry sense. think i was lost in translation a bit.

I'm still boggling that 150k for a house is 'cheap'! On DH's salary (research mathematician with phD) that would be out of our reach.
And despite doing some original research last year that netted his company several million in contracts he was given a tin of shortbread biscuits asa Christmas bonus.
On the OP, tricky one as the secretary is on a large salary (to me) too so might have everything she needs but I'm guessing thoughtful gift might show her she's appreciated. I'd go with wine (long as she isn't muslim or teetotal)

We all live in different worlds I know.

Whether or not you think that £125k is a lot of money, tossiness is the same in every world.

No need to mention money at all.

But Edam what about all the situations where City investors have saved companies and saved jobs? I've been involved in a lot of City private equity deals and yes there are times when jobs go but there are others where jobs are saved in companies that would otherwise go under.