Christmas gift ideas for subcontractors

littlesnuggy

Wonder if anyone could offer any advice on what would be a good Christmas gift for our subcontractors (we work in a specialist building trade)?

They work very hard for us, often over weekends, and we'd like to give them something to show our appreciation for their efforts over the year.

Last year we got them each a hamper from a local gourmet deli and individually selected some 'luxury' food items (about £30 worth I think), but not sure whether to do the same again.

They are men in their 30s, each have young families and I don't think any of them are big drinkers (either beer, wine or spirits).

Any ideas?!

paddyrg

Remote control car/helicopter?

Wywth

littlesnuggy wrote: »

Wonder if anyone could offer any advice on what would be a good Christmas gift for our subcontractors (we work in a specialist building trade)?

They work very hard for us, often over weekends, and we'd like to give them something to show our appreciation for their efforts over the year.

Last year we got them each a hamper from a local gourmet deli and individually selected some 'luxury' food items (about £30 worth I think), but not sure whether to do the same again.

They are men in their 30s, each have young families and I don't think any of them are big drinkers (either beer, wine or spirits).

Any ideas?!

How about an annual renewal of their contract?

I know a lot of subbies who would love nothing more than to receive this as a Christmas Present this year.

jackyann

You sound like thoughtful employers!If they have young families, it is unlikely that any of them have a great deal of spare money (however good their pay!) so something that either adds to festive enjoyment or saves a bit of money is your best bet.
I think that the slight problem with "luxury hampers" is that they often contain the odd thing people aren't that keen on (although they can always pass it on!)
It may seem boring, but I really think that a voucher: M&S, John Lewis, Argos, nearest big store or even local store would be the best. They can use it to buy pressies, pass it on to their partners, defray Xmas food & drink or treats etc. My mum's work always used to give a voucher for the nearest independent butcher (don't think they had veggies!) - it was designed to cover the cost of the turkey, but could be used for other things of course, and was always very well received.
If you feel you can't do that, then I would go down the hamper route, but choose stuff yourself. Nice tea, coffee, biscuits, and even non-drinkers like to have a nice bottle of wine to offer at xmas.

Savvy_Sue

Agree with both the above: a hamper that's not necessarily luxury but really 'useful' for a family would probably go down a treat, wrapped so that it takes a while to unwrap it.

But nothing beats knowing you'll have work AFTER Christmas!

littlesnuggy

Thanks all! They all know that whatever work we have in their locations, we'll pass onto them so that's all we can 'guarantee' for now.

Like Jacky said, there are items in the luxury-type hampers that I know are sometimes a bit odd which is why last year my business partner hand-picked the items for each of them, but when I spoke to a couple they still said it was all a bit posh for them!

What would you think about doing a Thorntons/Hotel Chocolat hamper? I know one of them isn't keen on sweet stuff so wouldnt for him but I've seen the others tucking into chocolate bars on site before, and then it's more of a treat. I expect it would go down well with their children & wives too! My business partner thinks nobody would want £30 worth of chocolate though (ermmm, I wouldn't mind!)

gildius

I think more of a varied hamper - some sweet, some savoury things - would go down better than only chocolate.

Mistral001

I would not buy anything too flash or luxurious. Many subbies might not be too impressed especially in times of austerity.

If you really want to treat subbies well, pay them on time. That will be appeciated more than anything.

littlesnuggy

Mistral001 wrote: »

I would not buy anything too flash or luxurious. Many subbies might not be too impressed especially in times of austerity.

If you really want to treat subbies well, pay them on time. That will be appeciated more than anything.

We already do that They tell us we're the fastest payers they know.

Does this look like a good mix of relatively-normal things do you think?
http://www.virginiahayward.com/the-holly/

Edit: Just had a brainwave - we often go out for curries, so I googled Curry Hampers and found this http://www.thespiceisright.co.uk/hampers/luxury-hamper-a-selection-of-the-finest-curry-boxes-with-a-selection-of-breads

moonpenny

Supermarket vouchers! Think that would really be appreciated. You sound like really thoughtfull employers.

You could add a small tin/box of chocs or bottle of wine just as a little pressie.

Savvy_Sue

Personally I'd prefer the Holly, I'm not a curry fan, so I wouldn't get much enjoyment out of that. You know the subbies, but I think this needs to be for their families as well, IYSWIM.

And even though I'm a huge chocolate fan, I wouldn't really want £30 worth of chocolates all at once ...