Work team

borkid

74jax wrote: »

Pastries for breakfast?

Similar, how about bring a Xmas cake or mince pies in on the last day before xmas. If you know of anyone with an allergy you could get the a little something else ie fruit or chocolate.


Alternatively a large tin of biscuits which people could eat at 'elevenses'.

LittleMrsThrifty

I think it is nice to buy something for your team but I agree you don't want to be spending £10 each if you only earn a little more. I guess you also don't want to be going through a lot of hassle either.

Candles are good (even the Poundshop have decent ones), chocolates fine. A poinsettia each is a good one, they are usually no more than £5 but only if you drive to work, a lot to carry on the bus.

For those who are off sick, is there anyone else in the team likely to see them who could take their present round? Will they be back in the new year? Flower delivery will set you back at least £25 each so try and go for something which can be easily posted or which can keep until they are back.

hazyjo

Just give some posh biscuits / cakes / chocs / drinks in the office and leave them in a central place or the kitchen (unless loads of others will be tucking in too).


Or shop carefully during the year and in the sales, not two weeks before Christmas. I can't afford to spend loads so look for bargains all year. Usually around 75% off, sometimes with an extra voucher for an additional 5-20% off. People might think I've spent £30 when I've only spent around £6-8.

hazyjo

LittleMrsThrifty wrote: »

For those who are off sick, is there anyone else in the team likely to see them who could take their present round? Will they be back in the new year? Flower delivery will set you back at least £25 each so try and go for something which can be easily posted or which can keep until they are back.

There are loads of better deals out there than that.


Home Bargains have flowers for £9.99+. Brand-free packaging too. I've used them before - no probs.

Skiddaw1

What about something home-made if it's your bag? I used to give jars of Christmas Chutney/Piccalilli/Lemon Curd to my lot when I was still working.

Primrose

Well I think Her Majesty gives everybody a Tesco ChrIstmas Pudding ao pwrhps one of these gift wrapped would fit the bill

The problem with alcohol is that not everybody drinks it. I always love receiving a bottle of Prosecco but as your team gets bigger or alcohol becomes more expensive you start making a rod for your own back and people' expectations, whether realistic or not, can start to get out of hand.

Or perhaps a large box of luxury biscuits?

maman

I'm guessing that this is as a thank you/team building rather than just buying everyone Christmas gifts.

I've been in a similar situation and as we worked in the Public Sector there were definitively no official bonuses or gifts or hospitability or anything. So if you wanted to show appreciation/motivate staff you had to pay yourself.

Obviously thank yous throughout the year are important and many appreciate cakes or biscuits in the staffroom. At Christmas we used to go out for a meal and I'd pay for the wine/drinks at the tables.

I'd go to Sainsbury's if I were you.:)

UKTigerlily

I'd say Gift Cards, because with food people have intolerances, allergies or dislike things, are Vegetarian/Vegan etc or even on diets. Not everyone drinks alcohol, some can't have candles due to kids/pets (I personally am in a studio flat/bedsit and have nowhere safe to keep one). At least a GC lets them get what they'd like (Post Office do a One4all GC that can be used in endless stores)

typeractive

maman wrote: »

I'm guessing that this is as a thank you/team building rather than just buying everyone Christmas gifts.

I've been in a similar situation and as we worked in the Public Sector there were definitively no official bonuses or gifts or hospitability or anything. So if you wanted to show appreciation/motivate staff you had to pay yourself.

Obviously thank yous throughout the year are important and many appreciate cakes or biscuits in the staffroom. At Christmas we used to go out for a meal and I'd pay for the wine/drinks at the tables.

I'd go to Sainsbury's if I were you.:)

Nail on the head. Exactly that.

Some good responses here, covering everything I have been considering e.g. not wanting to make a rod for my own back / expectation and include those who aren't currently at work, treating everyone equally (which I always do).

So many barriers these days e.g. dietary requirements, alcohol promotion, people on sick etc - I only want to say a thank you.

Things like biccies in the office wouldn't work as the team are all spread out. Maybe in the future I can do that.

Thanks for all the replies :beer: (ooops - need a soft drink emoji! :rotfl:)

sn1987a

Could you organise a money collection from the whole team to buy flowers or get everyone to sign a card for the people off sick? Where I work, all staff contribute at the beginning of the year a small amount to spend on such situations.

could you buy boxes of chocolates from Poundland, wrap it nicely and give them with a card? You can make it look fancy. Obviously if you and your team earn a lot, it may not be appreciated.