Ideas for a Little Office Fun. Stress Busting Pick Me Ups

Updated on April 24, 2016
M.L. asks from Conneaut, OH
13 answers

I work with a team of 5 other ladies. I want to do some thing nice every once in a while with out breaking the bank..I would make brownies or something sweet but 2 follow strict lifestyle choices never to have sugar......I did lottery tickets but am looking for something else cheap to do...any ideas???

I'm looking to build a little community spirit as a group... oh and going out to lunch is not possible.

Tx

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Buy a bouquet of flowers (they sell them for $5.99 at a Traders Joe near me) give everyone one flower. Buy everyone a balloon at the dollars store.
Buy a box of new teas to share together. A party store may have some silly things you could get like glow stick necklaces...kind of corny but you may get some chuckles.

BTW...so nice of you to do this!!!😊

EDIT - Can't say I want flowers, a ballon or a glow stick necklace myself but if someone was making an effort...I am certain it would bring a smile to my face. No need to be negative nancy new granny g. 😉

10 moms found this helpful

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D.B.

answers from Boston on

You know what's just dumb enough to make people smile? Mad Libs! Like we did when we were kids! You could use a book from a bookstore or find something on line, or (maybe better) write up something about your office (maybe with lines about whatever makes you laugh or whatever frustrates you - the boss, the fickle copier, the chatty UPS delivery person, the new phone system). Then leave out key parts of speech and have them fill in new words, then read the completed insanity about your office. Costs nothing, just some time and creativity.

There are some cute office desk organizers made out of recycled materials that might be fun if you are creative and have the time.

9 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Aren't you sweet!
Seriously, I love it when ladies express kindness and gratitude for each other :-)
How about doing a little mini flower arrangement for each of them? Little dollar store bud vases, pretty ribbon, small roses or peonies? Look on Pinterest for ideas if this isn't something that comes to you naturally.
Or if you like to cook you could always do something savory if they aren't into sweets. Some kind of chip/dip/puff pastry/cheesy party platter?

8 moms found this helpful

T.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

Are you able to take lunches/breaks together? Maybe doing a little book club could be fun, everyone can brown-bag their own food/snack.

Send an email once a week - Monday & Friday are popular - with inspirational quotes or funny cartoons. (a coworker of mine used to send out Chuck Norris jokes, just one, every Tuesday) - a nice way to encourage people.

Write personal notes to them - blank greeting cards, one to each of them once a month.

Rather than you always being the one to bring in a treat, start a "round robin" for everyone to select a time to bring something in. Doesn't have to be sweets - veggies & dip is also welcome in many offices!

Lead a 5-minute yoga "check in" - a nice chance to get a mid-morning stretch before lunch.

Have fun thinking outside the box! T. :)

6 moms found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Tyler on

One of the ladies in my office purchased one of those markers you can use to write on wine glasses and easily wipe off and wrote inspirational messages on the office bathroom mirror. We take turns surprising the group with little "perks" for the shared rooms like luxury hand soap or a shared treat for breakfast or lunch. Just knowing that your efforts are noticed and appreciated will go a long way with your co workers.

A fun group outing was a painting night, every town has a place like this now. Ours is Pinot's Pallete. We had a blast! And now we all have our own creation! Shared experiences really tighten the bond. My work friends are the best, they are what make it worth the stress!!

6 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Atlanta on

You are too sweet! I love this idea! Why not buy a jar and have them write up suggestions and then pick one out each month and do it? That way everyone's involved.

6 moms found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Portland on

Thinking back over the years ... we had a girl bring us in each a small cutting/plant for our desks, something festive from the Dollar Store for each season (just something small to decorate workplace), we did a book club so we just talked about what we were reading while having our coffee breaks and a lady I worked with used to bring in cool fruits for us to try each week. I used to bring coffee for everyone on Monday mornings. We also used to go out after work Fridays for a drink at a pub.

Nice idea - let us know what you ended up doing :)

5 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

If you can't go out to lunch, can you bring lunch in? Maybe have a theme. Mexican, Chinese, Sub Day, etc. Pot luck should work for the picky ones.

When I was in the corporate world I kept a candy bowl on my desk area and people loved it. I'd change out what type of candy ( all single wrapped) each time I needed to replenish the bowl.

People stopped by just for candy throughout the day.

It's sweet of you to try to cheer people up!

5 moms found this helpful
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E.B.

answers from Honolulu on

Could you make something like homemade hummus? It doesn't need tahini, just soaked and cooked chick peas, pureed with a little fresh lemon juice, a little olive oil, and some seasoning or flavor (curry powder, lemon pepper, salt, spinach, sun dried tomatoes - there's a million ideas online) served with pita chips. You could do a different hummus once a week for about a year. Or a homemade ranch dressing (again, recipes online galore, with no sugar) with vegetables.

Or, don't do food at all. You could do a simpler version of Elf on a Shelf, where a little toy elf gets posed in funny situations in various places. Instead of an elf, get something that's relevant to your area. For example, if you were from Green Bay with the famous cheeses, you'd get a little plastic or felt mouse. For Texas, maybe an plastic armadillo (look in gift shops). You get the idea. Hide it or pose it or let it hold up a silly sign.

Make a "stress buster" basket with those squeezy balls that you can use to relieve stress, or smooth stones that are soothing to feel, or little things to play with like those magnets that you can build into shapes. Just google stress busting toys. No need to have large ones, just ones that can fit on small shelf. Challenge everyone to choose one toy and give their fingers a break from the keyboard for 5 minutes. Change them every month or two.

5 moms found this helpful

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Why not try a recipe sharing and have people bring in a pot luck lunch and share their favorite recipe?? Once a month is fine...this will allow the women who have strict dietary choices to share their lifestyle choice and allow for different conversations to happen.

If your office has a lot of light?? I would get a seed packet from the Home Depot or even the Dollar Store (I think they have them) and a pot and watch them grow......

Why are you the only one doing this? Why not ask them what they would like to do as well - call it a team building event. Have them participate and take the lead - it can be once a month - and let them use their time and money as well so it's NOT just all on you.

If you have a place to eat lunch IN the office?? Why not play cards during lunch??

4 moms found this helpful
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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

-cute little note cards( look a the Dollar Store for these.)
-little bouquet of $5 tulips
-Those inspirational little books (also, at the Dollar Store)
-Calendar
-$5 Starbucks gift card
-a nice pretty scarf (shop around...you can find these for $5 or less)
-small frame (look at the thrift store)
-make lunch to bring in. You can do it inexpensively. We've done a salad bar, sandwich bar, a crock pot of chili & cornbread on a cold day. Very fun.
-Bring in scones & one of thoe boxes of Starbucks coffee
-give them a set of 4 pretty water goblets from the Dollar Store
-give them 4 chargers that go under plates. Very pretty. Cheap...Dollar Store
-a cute pen for their desk
-coasters
-get those clear plastic water cups w/a straw & fill with chocolates
-napkins w/cute sayings
-bookmarks

3 moms found this helpful

N.G.

answers from Boston on

There are too many 'cannots' in this scenario: no sugar, no out to lunch... Whew.

I would not like flowers, I'm feel,a little sad when flowers die. I don't drink tea. I would not really enjoy a balloon or glow stick... So, as you see even the first two responses here don't help. Lol

I like pot luck. Can you all make a no sugar pot luck once a month?

2 moms found this helpful
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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Stick minute! Every time it is 11:11 or 1:11, break into dance for one minute. Really, silly, but fun. :)

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