gift for someone you don't know

iammumtoone · 3 December 2017 at 6:55PM

I want to give someone a gift who I pay for a service, they provide a good service so want to get a small gift this at christmas.

Trouble is I don't know them so no idea what to get. Even wine or chocolates I don't know if they drink or could be on a diet!

Any suggestions budget £10 max

Thanks

lika_86 · 3 December 2017 at 6:55PM

Amazon giftcard

iammumtoone · 3 December 2017 at 7:01PM

lika_86 wrote: »

Amazon giftcard

I am not sure if I feel comfortable with this as its then clear how much I have spent

Is it generally acceptable to give money/gift cards to someone you don't know?

I do see the point as then they can get what they like so that avoids that complication. But on the otherhand it doesn't feel like I have put much thought into it.

chesky · 3 December 2017 at 7:11PM

There are hundreds of shops like Oliver Bonas who only seem to sell gifts - so much so that I wonder how they survive from one Christmas to the next!

jackyann · 3 December 2017 at 7:31PM

You're taking a chance, so the thing is is to maximise them being likley to enjoy it themselves, or find it easy, or even enjoyable to pass on / share. So your best bet is some nice food (even home made if you have the time/ skills / inclination).
Yes, it is possible that you will give them something they can't eat for some reason. But, if say, you buy some nice biscuits and they can't have gluten or nuts, they will appreciate the thought anyway, and at this time of year, it is easy to pass it on, take it to a family 'do', hand round at the office, or something like that.

[Deleted User] · 3 December 2017 at 7:46PM

Man or woman?

Beanies coffee does good packaged gifts
One of their mugs plus 12 different flavoured coffee sachets to try at only £4.50 plus delivery.

Nice hat and scarf set? Sainsbo Tu has 25% of until 04/12 tomorrow
If they haven't sold out they also did a nicely presented 'time to sparkle' set which contained a plastic travel mug and set of mits in a box - always handy to have.

Wh-smith do tinned sets from mindful colouring to learning about world inspired craft beers.

Chutney sets from a pub company like Greene King shop gift page.
Again well presented

A nice brooch? Scented candle set? to a Christmas flower arrangement?
M&S had hand cream in small jug sets I noticed yesterday - signs up for up to 50% of but I don't know how long that was lasting.

Ms_Chocaholic · 3 December 2017 at 7:48PM

The thing is as you don't know them, there is a high chance that they won't like what you buy them. Other than stalking their FB page to see if they like a drink and buying them a bottle, I'd give them the cash.

I always give our postie £10 at Christmas and never think twice whether I should buy him a gift.

unholyangel · 3 December 2017 at 7:48PM

iammumtoone wrote: »

I am not sure if I feel comfortable with this as its then clear how much I have spent

Is it generally acceptable to give money/gift cards to someone you don't know?

I do see the point as then they can get what they like so that avoids that complication. But on the otherhand it doesn't feel like I have put much thought into it.

I hate that some people have that viewpoint around cash gifts (and to a lesser extent, gift cards).

I rarely ever give gift cards - I prefer cash as then I don't feel like I'm dictating where they spend it. But when I do give cash gifts, its usually because I've spent at least a few weeks searching for ideas on what to get them and have been unable to find anything that I think they'll like/doesn't seem like a waste of money. I also don't like when people try to tell others "I got you a gift card as I wanted you to have something to show for it and not just spend the money on bills". Some people get into heavy debt over the holidays. Or struggle more than they usually would. Having extra cash to offset the cost of christmas can be a weight off their mind so I'm happy for them to spend it on whatever they so choose.

Meanwhile, other people get gifts they hate/will never use. The "novelty" gifts are a pet hate of mine - they appear nice to start but when you think about it, they'll maybe be used once or twice before being sent to the landfill.

But it annoys me every time I hear someone suggesting that giving money/gift cards isn't thoughtful but if they get them a crappy gift they'll hate & never use, then they have been thoughtful. It just feeds into commercialism.

Sorry, bit of a rant there. Bah humbug

iammumtoone · 3 December 2017 at 7:50PM

Woman which makes it easier.

I think the suggestion by jacyann is a good one. Whatever I get I will buy thinking if they don't like it/can't use it then how useful it will be to re-gift/give away.

Thanks

Ms_Chocaholic · 3 December 2017 at 7:52PM

Whatever you do get, whether that be chocolates/wine or anything else, if they have the inclination they could find out how much it costs anyway.

Let us know what you do in the end.

iammumtoone · 3 December 2017 at 7:58PM

unholyangel wrote: »

I hate that some people have that viewpoint around cash gifts (and to a lesser extent, gift cards).

I don't normally mind giving cash or gift cards (as long as I have been told where to get the gift card from) and am more than happy to receive cash myself.

But I am aware as you say alot of people don't like it so I don't want to risk it in this situaion where I have no idea how the recipient feels about it, and I dont want to be perceived as I haven't thought about it.

gift for someone you don't know

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