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Post by tallgirl on Dec 2, 2016 18:36:58 GMT
(If I missed a thread on this already, please link me to it!)
I am in a new role this year and got tasked with finding Christmas gifts for our 3 admin assistants. Gifts have to be under $50 each and the three span a wide range of ages, no kids yet/kids/empty nester, etc. I have never been to their homes so can't make a call about their tastes. One does not like candy/sweets and all 3 grumbled a bit about plants they received a while ago because none of them have green thumbs.
Any ideas? I'm racking my brain trying to think of what the big 'It Gift' is for this year. Instant Pots are unfortunately a bit out of the budget. 
I'd love to hear what you're doing for your office staff for inspiration... |
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Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486 
Location: Big Sky Country
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Post by Montannie on Dec 2, 2016 18:38:48 GMT
We've been successful with restaurant gift cards.
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Post by hdoublej on Dec 2, 2016 18:43:40 GMT
What about something like Satin Hands from Mary Kay? They have scented versions but they also have an unscented version. I just ordered the mini version for a $10 gift exchange.
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JustTricia
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,825
Location: Indianapolis
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Post by JustTricia on Dec 2, 2016 18:49:16 GMT
As an assistant, gift cards to a restaurant or gas station would be my preference. I received one a couple of years ago that was great ~ the company owned several restaurants so I could use it at Chili's, Macaroni Grill, or one or two other places.
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Post by workingclassdog on Dec 2, 2016 18:56:51 GMT
As an Admin Assistant my boss for 20 years always did gift cards and they were the best. I didn't want a bunch of lotion and stuff like that, (I like to buy certain kinds, nothing special but I prefer BBW).. anyways, some of what I have received over the years:
Grocery store
General card to the mall, used at any store
Macy's
Hobby Lobby (I LOVED that one)
so he did good (or really his wife did, I am sure) almost every year. They were $100 each so it was fun to shop with those. I was a little disappointed with the grocery one, but really it was useful. My favorite was the Hobby Lobby... you can't go wrong, either house decorating, scrapbooking, any craft really...
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 27, 2024 19:37:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 18:58:29 GMT
Cash. Just plain cash. Without the taxes taken out. Just cash. Here $50 is equal at the very least 3 hours of work.
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Post by annabella on Dec 2, 2016 19:03:25 GMT
We've been successful with restaurant gift cards. I think that's perfect. |
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 7,856
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Dec 2, 2016 19:14:42 GMT
Cash or maybe VISA gift cards? If you have to choose a store, maybe the movie theater or Target!
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Post by Fairlyoddparent on Dec 2, 2016 19:18:48 GMT
Visa gift cards! I was an administrative assistant and I'm telling you that's what they want.  |
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,507
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Dec 2, 2016 19:29:22 GMT
I plan to give our assistant a Kohls big throw (took advantage of the sale) with a hand made card and visa gift card in it.
I'm new to the company and have only known her a month. She is married, older (close to retirement) and no kids. She has furbabies though, so I got her the cat throw.
I agree with everyone else, don't do anything scented and gift cards or cash is really the best way.
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Post by mrssmith on Dec 2, 2016 19:59:02 GMT
I plan to give our assistant a Kohls big throw (took advantage of the sale) with a hand made card and visa gift card in it. I'm new to the company and have only known her a month. She is married, older (close to retirement) and no kids. She has furbabies though, so I got her the cat throw. I agree with everyone else, don't do anything scented and gift cards or cash is really the best way. I like the GC paired with a throw/handmade card if you want to make it a little more personal. And who doesn't need an extra blanket in the house (OK, I'm sure some people don't but it's a pretty safe thing to give IMO). Save |
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Dec 2, 2016 20:19:58 GMT
$$$$$$ or a paid afternoon off of work.
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Post by red88 on Dec 2, 2016 20:24:33 GMT
$$$$$$ or a paid afternoon off of work.  As a soon-to-be-laid-off-admin-assistant I'd like cash or a paid day off, but cash would be my preference. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Dec 2, 2016 20:27:06 GMT
My preference would be for an afternoon off work. Second place would be a cash bonus.
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Post by leannec on Dec 2, 2016 20:30:31 GMT
I'll post my response from another similar thread: Fuzzy socks and a nice bottle of wine  |
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Dec 2, 2016 20:35:11 GMT
$$$$$$ or a paid afternoon off of work. As a soon-to-be-laid-off-admin-assistant I'd like cash or a paid day off, but cash would be my preference. I'm sorry to hear that you're going to be laid off. Fingers crossed that your next job is even better with better salary and benefits. |
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Post by myboysnme on Dec 2, 2016 20:39:05 GMT
I'll post my response from another similar thread: Fuzzy socks and a nice bottle of wine I don't drink and many work places aren't into promoting alcohol.
Visa gift card, amazon gift card or cash. Keep the throws, restaurants, movies, lotions, - cash or cash in kind is the way to go especially for admin assistants who can probably use a bit extra.
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Post by leannec on Dec 2, 2016 20:50:09 GMT
I'll post my response from another similar thread: Fuzzy socks and a nice bottle of wine I don't drink and many work places aren't into promoting alcohol.
Visa gift card, amazon gift card or cash. Keep the throws, restaurants, movies, lotions, - cash or cash in kind is the way to go especially for admin assistants who can probably use a bit extra.
I don't drink either but my dh does ... it's still a nice gift |
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peagia13
Full Member
Posts: 166
Sept 2, 2016 19:52:32 GMT
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Post by peagia13 on Dec 2, 2016 20:50:49 GMT
Cash or Visa gift card. The only way to go.
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Post by peasapie on Dec 2, 2016 21:07:04 GMT
I agree with gift certificate. There is no other gift that will make everyone happy. But I'd pair it with a small gift like a plant, soft socks and foot lotion, or an ornament.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Dec 2, 2016 22:42:41 GMT
My preference would be for an afternoon off work. Second place would be a cash bonus. If you don't know them well enough to pick something personal. I would go with this. At my last job our office was only open until noon on xmas eve. Our boss always gave us the morning off as a xmas gift. She was the only one who would come in and cover the phones on Christmas eve. It was greatly appreciated. |
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Post by librarylady on Dec 2, 2016 22:47:56 GMT
We've been successful with restaurant gift cards. That would have been my recommendation. If it fits the location and the personalities, perhaps a spa day coupon. Movie tickets. |
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PaperAngel
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,297
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Dec 2, 2016 22:57:28 GMT
I recommend only cash or gift card (to Target, restaurant near office that's popular for lunch, or Starbucks or other shop near the office where people grab snacks)
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,519
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Post by jayfab on Dec 2, 2016 23:45:19 GMT
I vote for the Visa gift card. I would much rather have that than some of the gifts I've received from supervisors/employers.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,146
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Dec 3, 2016 0:11:29 GMT
Visa gift cards! I was an administrative assistant and I'm telling you that's what they want. That is exactly what I was thinking! |
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Post by SockMonkey on Dec 3, 2016 0:14:43 GMT
CASH or VISA GIFT CARD. If you don't know them well enough to give them something they'll absolutely love/need, CASH.
Nobody wants cutesy shit, or lotion, or socks or any of that. They're probably already underpaid, so just give them money.
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Post by underwatermama on Dec 3, 2016 0:20:16 GMT
As a former admin asst, cash or a flexible gift card (such as to a mall or Visa card) is the best!
If you do a restaurant card, make sure it's enough to cover two people. $50 doesn't go very far if the restaurant is even remotely expensive and you want to have more than a main course and a soft drink, etc., and you don't want to have the giftee have to pay tax and/or tip themselves.
And while it might be tempting to do a gift basket, that would be last on my list because even though it would be the best looking gift, it isn't as useful as a straight up gift card/cash.
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Post by Really Red on Dec 3, 2016 0:52:19 GMT
I'm voting for time off!! NOTHING says I appreciate you like giving a day or even afternoon off, particularly this season. Please see if you can do that instead of a gift.
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Post by chaosisapony on Dec 3, 2016 0:58:31 GMT
A cash Christmas bonus with no taxes taken out. I have been the recipient of generous Christmas bonuses for the past few years and I promise you all of us receptionists/front desk people/assistants really appreciate it more than any little gift thing you could pick out. As another pea stated, typical admin assistants are under paid so giving them a little cash is a nice touch around the holidays.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 3, 2016 1:07:43 GMT
Cash. Just plain cash. Without the taxes taken out. Just cash. Here $50 is equal at the very least 3 hours of work. A crisp new $50 is always the right size and always the right color. And it can be used on whatever they might want or need. |
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As a soon-to-be-laid-off-admin-assistant I'd like cash or a paid day off, but cash would be my preference. 
