What gift card should my DH give his female coworkers

Here's a helpful thread. I would love a sephora gift card but many some people wouldn't or think its sexist. My office has so many 40+ women who do not wear makeup, not sure what the culture is like in his office?

Amazon. I'd stay away from makeup and personal things like Bath and Body works. Personally, I'm not a Sephora fan. I could find something there but it would not be a preference.

Movies, if everyone lives fairly close to the same chain
Could do a restaurant, centrally located. It wouldn't cover a meal for 2, but it would at least cover the employee plus a bit more.


No makeup, candles, lotion, Starbuck's (unless he knows everyone likes it - I don't actually know many people who DO like it!)

I like the movie idea. A popular restaurant would be nice, too.

I think that's a lot of people to try to please all with the same card. Some of them may not like going to the movies (I know I don't) and some may not be into cosmetics/nails and what have you. Yes there are facial masks and conditioners and other things at Sephora but it still runs the risk of not getting used. Restaurants are tricky because some might have specific food issues or just not like certain places. Really it's a crap shoot anyway you go. You could give a WM gift card and some of them have a problem with WM's clientele or business practices or give a Target card and someone doesn't like their politics. I'm not certain it's possible to please everyone but you need something that has the best chance of being used. Hmm...

A GC to a spa or salon for a foot rub or facial mask?

Is there a favored restaurant near work that he knows about?

What about just a GC for a particular shopping center/mall which can then be used at any of hundreds of stores? I used to get those and loved the freedom it provided.

I would love a Visa card. They can use it for groceries, gas or the treat of their choice. Second choice Amazon, but not a specific store unless it's a big department store.

I'd go with Amazon or Target, because of the fee on Visa.

How about a book store?
Or just go with cash.

When I'm doing gift cards I usually try to support a local independent business if it's a place someone can easily patronize - a local restaurant or deli, coffee shop, etc.

I would strongly advise you staying away from speciality stores like Sephora and Bath and Body Works.   I was working for a company that gave all the female employees little baskets from Bath and Body Works with lotions, soaps, perfumes, etc.  Mine was peach.  I hated the smell and gave it away.  I have my own lotions that I prefer and also do not like to wear scents to the office because it can annoy others.  

If I do use anything that has a bit of a fragrance, I do so very, very sparingly so as to avoid irritating someone who has to sit in my vicinity.  I can't tell you how bad that office smelled with a mixture of peach, lemon, strawberry, celery (?!?), freesia, etc.  It was overpowering and offensive.  But it was something from the company, so those of us who didn't like the meshing of all the different smells had to just suck it up until people either got tired of it or ran out.

The same woman who chose all the fragrance baskets chose live beta fish the following year.  As if I didn't have enough to deal with during my work day, I was now responsible for feeding a fish and keeping its bowl clean.  I couldn't take it home because I had cats.  It was not received well by the majority of the women.  I personally ended up giving my fish to one of my coworkers.  He kept it in his office and adored having it.  He didn't like the name I had for it though.  I called it Sushi.  He changed it.  

This woman was relieved of the responsibility of choosing the gift after the fish episode due to too many complaints.  The gifts became generic gift certificates and everyone was happy.SaveSave

Amazon or Target, I dislike those Visa gift cards. First, they cost money to buy, then they can be hard to use if the store you shop at doesn't have the software to split a charge.

I like this if your DH thinks a VISA/Mastercard gift card is too generic.

If they all live locally, I like the idea of a local business. Our downtown actually sells gift cards that are good for the entire downtown business area which has loads of great restaurants & shops.

If not, Amazon is my fallback. I love to have a big old Amazon gift card balance on my account!

Target
Barnes & Noble
Restaurant near the office that's popular for lunch