Token gifts for my work team

[Becles]

Looking for ideas for what to give my team for Christmas.

I have a budget of about £5-10 per head and obviously the lower end the better!

I've tended to get Christmas ornaments with their initials from Oliver Bonas and such, and last year for a few who'd pretty much carried us, I added bottles of their favourite spirits. This year I'm completely out of ideas any suggestions appreciated 💡

I have 11 people:

Female: 50s 2x, 40s 2x, 30s 1x
Male: 50s 1x, 40s 1x, 30s 2x, 20s 2x

Becles I haven't shared the link because obviously admitting to buying from Shein is morally wrong on Mumsnet Similar items can be found on funkypigeon and Etsy (for £12+), unfortunately I can't afford those prices so got mine from Shein. I know my team won't be offended by it

I would hate to receive both of those along with coffee shop vouchers - we're all so different!

I hate tea, I’d rather have the scratch card!

I would give each of them a coffee card. Simple, tasteful and won't break the bank.

For a relatively low amount I don't think I'd do vouchers, a personal gift for that amount shows thought, a voucher is just like giving them money to me.
Suggestions.
Things I have received as a group gift thank you kind of thing and actually appreciated.
Mugs. Either personal to their tastes or all saying 'to the worlds best employee' ( 😆 possibly that would only appeal to my sense of humour though! )

Coasters, ditto (got one with me favourite dog breed on, makes me smile), have seen some nice slate or glass ones that look not tacky.

Tea towels. (Prob need to know your audience for that one)

Fancy teas/coffee/hot chocolate sets?

Random desk ornaments: paperweight, fidget toy,

Those fused glass windows hanging things. Can go on a Christmas tree or just in any window all year.

Desktop christmas tree (artificial)

a small house plant in a niceish pit preferably low maintenance. A quick Google shows b&Q have sets of 6 that would be well inside your budget. However for plants I'd try and buy in person so you can check they look OK.

How serious and professional is your relationship with your team? Are you aiming for classy or is silly acceptable??

This with bells on!!! If you could manage it with a Costa voucher which they could use it on their half day off it would be a good link! If not then the half day would be absolutely brilliant on its own!

I have the same dilemma and have gone for Hotel Chocolat in previous years. I might branch out and get a few socks this year so people can choose.

I am sure some people might like plants but personally I view house plant gifts as requiring too much investment from the recipient. When I am given a plant I feel an obligation to keep it alive and I am not very good at that. Plus the logistics of buying 20 plants and bringing into the office would put me off as well!

How’s she going to do that unless she owns the business! Totally ridiculous.

My line manager did it for us last year and she doesn't own the business. It was very much appreciated.

One year I got wooden hand massagers for my team, you can get them for about £5 or plastic yoga spikey balls, not suggesting you are all stressed out but they are very soothing!

I think this thread has just shown you can’t please everyone so try not to overthink it! I’m gifting people seeds that can be planted early next year and (along the same lines as the spoon) toast tongs from Lakeland!

I really like the look of these crackers (tempted to treat myself). There’s a non alcoholic version too. I’d combine it with some quality socks or a coffee shop gift card.

www.johnlewis.com/brand/fever-tree/_/N-1yzyakn

Ofcourse you can

You dont need to ‘own’ the business to do this

Maybe not for the men but just came across these and they are super cute

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1654661511/

Could you buy something for the office? Coffee maker, biscuit tin fell of biscuits, lunch from somewhere local?

Maybe hire someone to come in and do massage or beauty treatments.

Chocolates, gift card for a coffee shop near your office, voucher for a book shop, a mug

That would cost way more than £5-10 and need some level of seniority to be able to do it. I wouldnt be able to do it for my team at my work (large corporate firm).

Not sure if tax payers would be so sanguine about the impact of an already understaffed (because leavers and retired staff aren't being replaced) team being short of staffed for over two weeks.

I think the staff picking up the slack would likely tell me to keep my less than thoughtful gift!

they are not cruelty free, which is just insane

I did scratch card in a Xmas card last year for my team. Seemed to go down well.

I hate scratch cards as gifts.

Oh no I didn’t realise that. Another brand I liked but now can’t use! Good to know though.

@Becles just to say it’s a lovely idea to buy your team a gift and no matter what it is I’m sure they’ll appreciate the sentiment.

Lottery ticket for Xmas day instead if scratch card.

Some nice biscuits. Even if the person themselves doesn’t want them can be useful to have in for guests.