Bosses Giving Christmas Gifts

[azepp]

To those of you who have employees reporting to you - do you personally buy your employees Christmas gifts (not using company money)? If so, how much do you spend per employee?

I started in a new position last year where a precedent had been set that the boss (me) gets everyone a gift for Christmas. I don't mind doing it because I think it's a good motivator for them, but I end up spending several hundred dollars each year ($50 per employee) now on Christmas gifts which is more than I was used to in previous positions.

I'm just curious what others do.

 

[SoapyCy]

We stopped doing that and instead donate about $10/employee to a family in need. Employees don't really need anything and this way it helps out someone who has real needs.

 

[erikbj]

Nope..............they are lucky i don't fire those ungrateful brats.

 

[MeanDean]

I worked for the Gov't so it wasn't really allowed ("gift-giving"). However I took the guys (engineering office - all men) out to lunch on alternate days wherever they wanted to go. Civils one day, EE's another, ME's another, Arch's and Techs another. Probably averaged about $15-20 a pop. They (and I) really appreciated the chance to get out of the office for a decent period of time during the holidays.

 

[SerenityNow]

Jelly of the Month club.

or make a donation in their name to the Human Fund.

 

[casey1973]

We stopped doing that and instead donate about $10/employee to a family in need. Employees don't really need anything and this way it helps out someone who has real needs.

We did that too once and found that the family we were told certainly was in need but only to discover their name was out there for a lot of other people to lend a hand as well. They were featured in the paper of the gifts they all had received and needless to say ours weren't in there. Oh well...............

 

[ISUME]

My Boss is taking us out for lunch today, that is enough of a gift in my opinion.

 

[pyrocyz]

Everyone in my office was just given one of these... Not by me, by my boss.

Amazon.com: Zing Air Zing Shot: Toys & Games

 

[3TrueFans]

My Boss is taking us out for lunch today, that is enough of a gift in my opinion.

That's what we do too, I think it's a great idea and not expensive.

 

[TruClone]

Jelly of the Month club.

or make a donation in their name to the Human Fund.

What? No pool? Heartless bastard...

 

[Firefighter4Cy]

The bosses in my office bring in copious amounts of food for the office. All week we have feasted on soups, dips, cookies, etc. That is enough in my opinion.

 

[Cyclonetrombone]

Rule 1 of being a supervisor) Only give presents to those you are having an affair with. It keeps the office balanced and establishes a hierarchy. :smile:

 

[Incyte]

I made a deal with my admin assistant. I give her a Christmas gift ($100 cash) and that is the only gift for the year. No admin assistant's day gift, no birthday gift, etc. In return, she agrees to not buy me anything at all for the entire year.

I hate gifts in the workplace and she likes this arrangement so it works well.

 

[TOFB4ISU]

My boss takes a holiday vacation; enough of a gift for me.

 

[IAStubborn]

I do. I know a lot don't though. I usually write a nice note to each individually and either get gifts or gift cards in the $40 range. I used to do $50 when I had 5 direct report, no kids so more discretionary income, but now I have 13 and 3 kids, so got kind of pricy but had started a precident so feel obligated. I think the note is more appreciated than the gift. If I could do it over I would just do nice notes and a little more modest gift.

 

[wartknight]

Our manager is pretty awesome. He matched donations to an orphanage, thinking maybe it would cost him $50 or so and he ended up cutting a check for almost 3 grand. He throws a great party for us at one of the local country clubs or restaurants (this year Glen Oaks) with food and drinks covered, and then we all leave with some sort of a gift bag. This year there were wine baskets with wine, cheese and crackers, a gambling basket that included a Prairie Meadows gift card, and a movie basket that had tons of movie theater candy in it and a movie theater gift card.
I can't complain. For the people that help me out it really depends on what kind of year I've had but I haven't gone over $50. Usually toss in a couple scratch off lotto tickets with some gift cards to a restaurant.

 

[azepp]

Usually toss in a couple scratch off lotto tickets with some gift cards to a restaurant.

I'd like to do this, but I'm sure one would hit the jackpot and quit.

 

[ianoconnor]

My boss took us all out to Centro for lunch and then got us some chocolates.

 

[MadCy]

My manager took us 9 out to a happy hour(s) at one of Madison's brewery's. He set it up so we'd all leave about 1.5 hours before most us normally do and paid for appetizers and beers on his personal card. Pretty fun, that guy is awesome. Heck, he's even a University of Iowa graduate.

 

[SoapyCy]

I made a deal with my admin assistant. I give her a Christmas gift ($100 cash) and that is the only gift for the year. No admin assistant's day gift, no birthday gift, etc. In return, she agrees to not buy me anything at all for the entire year.

I hate gifts in the workplace and she likes this arrangement so it works well.

if i promise not to buy you anything can i have $100?