My husband would like to get gift for his employees (about 16 of them) for the company Christmas party on Friday night.
I am looking for ideas that are unique and inexpensive.
TIA
Edited to add: the company is purchasing very nice jackets for each of them with their names. This extra gift would be from us personally. And we have been the ones not taking a paycheck (or as little as possible) so that we can pay them. But we appreciate them, too, and want to show them.
We are in the wine industry so wine is not all that special, even though it is good stuff usually :).
MomCeo - haha, I wish that was possible, but as a small business we are happy to have survived this far. I would start by giving us a regular paycheck instead of being the one who can't get one if there is not enough due to cash flow issues or late payments.
Thanks for all the ideas. The company also bought Willie Bird turkeys for them at Thanksgiving so I will probably go with something besides food. Although the cute ideas (like Lucky Charms) are tempting. And gift cards are nice, too
I really like the movie idea. I may have my kids help me with a project - at least they can help me make a card for each of them. Maybe painted wine glasses or lanterns
My boss gave me a $25 gift card to Target last year. It was completely unexpected and very much appreciated :).
At first I was going to say Mrs. Prindables but you probably don't have enough time for that. Not very unique but I think I would go with a food item or a gift card to a place you know they all go (a local grocery/market, etc.). Corkscrews for all?
If he's the boss, inexpensive isn't a good idea. Food is a safe bet; Omaha Steak gift box (hopefully no vegans), fruit basket, or Cheese and wine baskets), or gift certificates to Target, a local grocery store, or a Visa gift card. Don't go lower than $100, more would be better as they probably would view this as a bonus. Sorry to get political, but office culture is that way.
We've gotten several things over the years (all with our squadron name on them) from ornaments to champagne glasses to beer coazies. In all honesty, my best advice would be for him to leave the company name/logo off of whatever he buys them.
How about a nice bottle of wine in a pretty wine bag with a bottle opener given where you live?
Personal M&Ms are so great! I've done that a couple times and it's always a hit. He can put the company name on them and they have clip art you can pick from and all kinds of colors to choose from. They have these party packs too, like little metal tins, probably have 100 M&Ms in 'em, I think 20 of the tins for around 150 bucks, plz don't hold me to the prices, I could be wrong..but they have so many quantity type packages to choose from. He can even personalize the packages they come in, the little tins, glass type things, or he can get the employees names on them or just the company name. I love doing the personalized M&Ms, they just work for soooo many different things. I did them this year for my son and nephews for Christmas, but did them for a friends wedding as favors, it did get a little pricey, but that was my gift to her, and everyone adored them! As far as inexpensive, it depends on how much you want to spend in total, it can work out to be a pretty good deal, and its super fun to create them :) And they have specials everyday til Christmas if you spend so much you get a special gift. www.mymms.com. Have fun!
I just went to a website called "pinterest.com" and searched for "employee gift" and one idea that came up was a baggy of Lucky Charms with a label that said "Lucky to Have You"....too cute and very thoughtfull! Check it out : - ) Home painted/filled ornaments with the year on them is a cute idea as well.
Your employees will understand your situation...I am sure they are just thankful to have a job right now! You guys sound like wonderful employers : )
I would do a GC from a store like Trader Joe's or Target or your locally owned grocery store (we have Oliver's in Santa Rosa). Every employee can find something they need or want at one of those stores or they can gift or donate them to someone else.
Until I read your edited addition, I was going to throw out the idea of an extra PTO (paid time off) day. My bosses do this during years when money is tight (it's a small business also, 14 ppl.) and most people love it! Kind of a win-win, since they don't really lose anything. We're all salary so we have to get the work done anyway, but it's nice to get an extra official day off. But seeing as how you're looking for a personal gift, I don't have any ideas. Just wanted to say it's very nice of you to want to do that, no matter how small the gift, especially given your circumstances. Good luck! Hopefully everyone will appreciate the thought behind it, whatever you end up doing.
How about good cheese to go with the wine?! lol
I like the grocery store gift card idea, especially if you supplement it with a hand written comment that confirms two very important things that every employee needs to have confirmed by their employer: 1) You value them as an employee and a critical member of your team, and 2) As a part of your family of employees, their families are also your families, and the health and well-being of their family is also critically important to you.
A grocery store certificate in itself helps send this message because it will be used to put food on the family table - the cornerstone of their lives homes.
When there is an atmosphere of such strong commitment to your employee's work/life balance, production will thrive.
An extra paid day off anytime in the first 3 month of 2012. Use or lose by March 31, 2012.
here's a random idea that may or may not work for your business - how about an "X hours off" or a "late pass" certificate?
The ornament or chocolate are slightly more special than gift cards (but of course gift cards are great). You could get gifts from some sort of charity. Any UNICEF type item would be a good way to contribute and gift at the same time. Good luck!
How thoughtful of you. Harry and David chocolates are fun and reasonably priced (on sale at many stores, too)! Or tickets to a local movie theatre, wrapped around a box of popcorn. If wine is not special, perhaps two handpainted wine glasse?
Christmas ornaments ?
Double their paycheck at the end of the year.
