Hi, mamas. I need gift help!
I have worked for at my office for the same men for 15 years and we always exchange gifts for Christmas. My bosses are always very generous and our gifts have always been comparable. We've always gotten bonuses which has bought these gifts as well as my kids' birthdays and christmas gifts. Ny ex lost his job and I am trying to survive on $550-800/mo less income. (I support 4 kids.) This year, we aren't getting bonuses, but are still expected to exchange gifts. It's already been mentioned a couple of times. Since I am already struggling to make ends meet and do Christmas (and the remaining birthdays) for my kids, my question is: Does anyone have suggestions on gifts for men which would be appreciated and appropriate (either look more expensive than they are or have some sort of sentimental value to "offset the cost"...)? In the past, I have bought one of them engraved tequila, hand blown tequila glasses, mugs, ski stuff... (he is older and an avid traveler/outdoorsman). The other is a young married father of two kids. Any ideas, suggestions, anything would be so greatly appreciated! (I also have two women in the office I need to buy for.) Unfortunately, as I mentioned, not exchanging gifts is not an option.
Thanks so much for your input!!
Thank you all for the great ideas. This was extremely helpful and I feel better equipped all the way around. I appreciate you ladies and hope you have a terrific and blessed Thanksgiving.
Maybe one of those digital photo frames that they could put pics of their kids and family in for work! I see them right now SUPER cheap and some look very nice! I always thought they were a great work gift, a way to bring some family comfort to work!!
Personally, I would try the guilt route, anyway. Tell your bosses that it's all you can do to put food on the table and can't even provide much in the way of presents for your children this year. Tell them you don't expect anything in return from them, just please be understanding and leave you out of it this year. I mean, if your boss cais an avid traveller, he can afford to not get a gift from you (or any of the other employees, for that matter). If it becomes a "job requirement", I would take it up with your state employment bureau. Work culture is one thing, but mandatory gift giving is not considered appropriate workplace behavior.
If you really don't want to pull these guys' heads up out of their privileged
*!%$s, you might consider some simple homemade gifts. What about baking lots of fudge, cookies, brownies, etc., and wrapping the goodies in an inexpensive box/mug/plate from the dollar store with mylar tissue paper?
Go to Ross, TJ Maxx, or Marshalls. They always have things that look way more expensive than they really are. You could get a lot of beautiful, unique, expensive looking gifts there. I've gotten Moroccan Candle Lanterns for $10 that were simply gorgeous. Pretty crystal and glass bowls, vases, figurines, they have masculine things in that section too, or you can go to the clothing and get a really nice sweater for $20. Don't worry if you can't spend the way you normally do. I hope it makes the bosses realize that not getting a bonus has put a hardship on you.
We're all struggling economically. How about suggesting "Secret Santa" for your office this year? Everybody's name gets put into a hat and the names are then drawn at random so each person only has to buy a gift for the person whose name they have pulled out. The group decides beforehand on a $ amount which everyone can afford. The parcels are wrapped and placed in a pile at the Xmas party - or other designated time and place. The fun part is then for each person to try and guess what is in the parcel and who bought it for them. We've done that in the past and its both great fun and WAAYY easier on the budget! Who knows, u might be starting a new office tradition! Happy holidays! :)
Movie tickets! Movie theaters have gift packages or you could make your own. You can buy a prepaid ticket that is good for any movie. If you have a dollar store near you, they have cute plastic popcorn containers that you could put a bag of microwavable popcorn and tickets inside. With 2 movie tickets and the container and popcorn, it should cost approx $20 per person. You can get everyone the same gift.
If you don't like the movie idea, you can also look into the digital frames as Sarah had suggested. Also, with Black Friday coming up and Cyber Monday, I would look into all the deals then and buy on those days.
You didn't mention what your budget per person is, so I hope that helps!
Do you have a Costco? They have beautiful baskets with great food items in them. They start at $19.00.
Bottle of Baileys Irish Cream, or Kahlua.. Great in coffee.
Make snack mix like Trash, but make it spicy.
Men usually like savory snacks.. and or Dark Chocolates.
Lottery Tickets
Look for men's leather gloves at Marshalls or TJ Maxx.
Get them each binoculars (all price ranges in those!)
Gift cards to REI, Eddie Bauer, or Land's End?
For my gift excvhange last year (white elephant style), I made a bag of choclolate - chocolate liquor, flavored chocolates, chocolate milk, chocolate pretzels, hot chocolate...
Wow. Where do you work that you are EXPECTED to give gifts to the bosses? Are the bosses in charge of the bonuses?
I'd try nice bottles of wine in the dollar range you plan to spend.
Go online and find items on sale from your favorite store. I've never tried Overstock.com, but I'd think about it in this situation.
Christmas ornaments with the university logos where they graduated.
Headlight flashlights.
Make some homemade quick bread or cookies and put them in a nice tin.
There are TONS of executive desk games all over the mall, JC Pennys, Sears, Kohls, like those line of suspended metal balls you pull one end, drop it and the other end flies out, or magnetic figures you can shape into anything. Or interlocking puzzles.
I've seen silver plated mini pool tables, Zen gardens (small wooden box filled w/sand and a few rocks you can rake) and even small juke boxes you can stick an iPod in.
Successories.com has some great executive gifts as well. Any of these might be reasonably priced and you should find something well within your budget.
How about a business card case with the name engraved on it? I got one of those and loved it, thought it was thoughtful and kind - I know you can get them at Things Remembered for $20-25. Also they have nice cigar holders - if they smoke cigars, we bought them last year for a few family members and had their names engraved on the side -- also a big hit (and under $30). If that is still too pricey, what about making them some kind of scrapbook or something? Or baking for them? Ross, Marshalls and TJ Max often have nice gifts at good prices.
Good luck!
My brothers are outdoorsmen and love Patagonia products. They are usually expensive, but good quality. Here is a hat for 20. that I think would be great!
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/synchilla-alpine-hat?...
Good luck,
