Christmas Card Time At Work

[cove]

It is that time of year to do Christmas cards at work for our staff who are located around Australia and not all of whom are based in big cities.
Last year we included a gift card from Woolworths as it is really easy to use with the wide range of products they range in their various brands.
Is there something better ??

 

[Fantic125]

This isn't meant to sound flippant or critical, but have you asked your staff what they would like?

It's a bit too close to Christmas to do it this year, but maybe next year if you (discreetly) put the question out well beforehand (without making it seem like a given that they will get a gift) then you may be able to tailor the gift to suit a particular location or demographic within your staff.

Along with a handwritten card or note this would make it much more personalised, and increase the EQ with your staff.

 

[cove]

Yes Frantic125 we do ask but if there is something out there that is better we would like to change rather than do a same old,same old. Gift baskets of goodies stopped based on feedback
We hand write the cards and the number is less than one hundred cards.

 

[amaroo]

It is that time of year to do Christmas cards at work for our staff who are located around Australia and not all of whom are based in big cities.
Last year we included a gift card from Woolworths as it is really easy to use with the wide range of products they range in their various brands.
Is there something better ??

I think they are an excellent choice - covers all people & their different wants & needs.

We use to hand out turkeys & hams......but after hitting last day drinks most of them wouldn't be fit to eat by the time they got home!

Since we changed I feel our guys really value the gift cards & that's the main aim - or, they like that they can go home after end year drinks with something that won't make the family sick.

 

[Deleted User]

It is that time of year to do Christmas cards at work for our staff who are located around Australia and not all of whom are based in big cities.
Last year we included a gift card from Woolworths as it is really easy to use with the wide range of products they range in their various brands.
Is there something better ??

Anything you can earn extra / bonus frequent flyer points on cove...!

 

[hvb]

Simple.

We have given out double pass Gold Class Cinema vouchers ( with value for a couple of drinks and nibbles ). Then the staff can see what they want in luxury at a time of their choosing.

We have also in the past taken out an exclusive use of the whole Gold Class for a private viewing. You can nominate what movie and also get a bit of time before the movie starts to thank staff etc ewtc.

Hvb

 

[cove]

Because it is over $8,000 you can get 5% off the gift cards and it may get some frequent flyer points on the favoured credit card used like everything else in a business Shintaro10x.
Because the Woolworths credit card says it is not for business use that one may not be the best card to use.
Christmas gift cards to staff gives them all an equal opportunity to do something special with their family gathering.

 

[cove]

We do the cinema for birthday acknowledgement so that one would look like a repeat in our case but it is a good idea. We have tried hams,turkeys and gift baskets for capital city staff but we think it should be the same for all rather than some.

 

[Hvr]

I hate the holiday time and presents etc. Bah humbug, you know the rest.

To me gift vouchers say you cannot be bothered to think about what I want. And I know that is nigh on impossible when you have so many staff etc.

How about offering them a list of things to choose from or even letting them suggest something up to a certain value?

I have everything except enough time off (and maybe FF points ). I would choose another day off (either all day or even part day).

 

[Sprucegoose]

Unless you take the time personalise it, :shock:it is so ho hum

 

[cove]

Mrscove is really good at personalizing the cards.
Now Spruce the issue as we see it is quite a large percentage of the community are under some form of financial stress so getting something extra from the mail that is not a bill can make a difference.

 

[moa999]

I agree - personal preferences come into it.
Have done some work with a company that was predominately blue collar and one year they replaced the case of beer with a couple of bottles from the bosses winery.
Reaction was not good and the wine was actually pretty good

 

[cove]

It is so easy to get it wrong and then it would take a while to recover.
With a store gift voucher the staff member can personalize what Christmas treats can be purchased so it should be ok.

 

[amaroo]

Unless you take the time personalise it, :shock:it is so ho hum

A card with a personal note will always speak louder than a gift....for some people!

Others just want something that they see value in. We have 168 people and they all have different needs, wants & likes - sorting a personal gift for all, is outright impossible.

IMO, providing a means for someone to purchase either food, clothing, electronics, hardware, gardening, fuel, smokes or grog, fits just about all the needs of our staff.

Yes, it's easy for me.....but more importantly it provides a real benefit for all. The blanket carton of beer or bottle of Bundy doesn't do much for the family.

 

[jacfin]

Wish I worked for any of you wonderful employers. I am a CEO who (by law) must insist that all gifts received by my staff for their excellence - regardless of the time of the year - are recorded so that they can be reported to parliament. When I say all gifts, I mean even a pen received as a gift for speaking at a conference. Chuck in a bottle of vino, box of chocs or lunch with a client and I get a paperwork overload

During the festive season, I am able to swing some " corporate hospitality", and I add in some personally written notes of appreciation for everyone and I speak with all staff on duty to thank them for their service. And I get senior exec to stay back with me til close of business on the last working day before Chrissy, so that their staff can go home at lunchtime.

The corridor cricket on that day must count for something though, surely !!

 

[Sprucegoose]

A card with a personal note will always speak louder than a gift....for some people!

Others just want something that they see value in. We have 168 people and they all have different needs, wants & likes - sorting a personal gift for all, is outright impossible.

IMO, providing a means for someone to purchase either food, clothing, electronics, hardware, gardening, fuel, smokes or grog, fits just about all the needs of our staff.

Yes, it's easy for me.....but more importantly it provides a real benefit for all. The blanket carton of beer or bottle of Bundy doesn't do much for the family.

A genuine 'thanks' goes helluva long way in my book.

 

[Simo]

I am doing a Xmas Ham this year for the staff.

Last year I gave them $100 cash and no one remembered it so.

Note to self give a present.

We also had a xmas party which was a night in Surfers Paradise with a dinner and accommodation last year.

This year we have had a dinner out and that is it.

Too hard to organise a date that suits everyone for a weekend away.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I am doing a Xmas Ham this year for the staff.

y.

Yes I did that in Jakarta one year, didn't go down too well.........

 

[cove]

You really only hear back from one or two if you make a mistake like wine to a beer crowd but you do get the message.
A cheque gets banked so it is "lost". We don't do cash in the mail as that goes missing.
A number of staff don't tell you they have moved house so sending something to an address for Christmas really does not work where you try for weeks to recover the last missing gifts.
The Woolworths gift cards are sounding ok so far.....

 

[TonyHancock]

We used to give hampers but they were never popular, we then moved to Westfield vouchers but the comments back suggested they were too restrictive. (Apparently a number of stores opt out and don't accept them.)

Woolworths vouchers have been very well received. With Dick Smith and Dan Murphy accepting them there seems to be something for everyone!