Silly_Girl Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I have a great team here. They are friendly, supportive and hardworking. The department has been totally transformed in the last 8 months since I took over and they are working in a different league to where they were. The standard of service they are giving the division now, considering their ages (some are very young) and their pay grade. They're working as a cohesive team and seem to be enjoying it. I am having micro maternity leave as the benefits for staying off are minimal (I prefer instead to stay part-time for 7 months instead of one block of time of no work then back full-time). I won't be getting maternity cover in, the guys will deal with things in the shortest term, and within 3 weeks I'll be back on minimal hours helping guide them. The business has nearly hit the wall twice and they get grief from creditors and other departments for problems not of their doing. They've been very resilient. There's only 5 of them. I want to do something for them, on a budget. When they've met deadlines previously I've ordered in pizza for the team or bought cakes in. But I want to do something 'bigger' before I go off to have the baby. They will need to step up with my availability being limited for a few months and I also want to thank them for what they've done so far. I don't socialise with any of them apart from the odd lunch. I thought about inviting them to my house for a dinner (home-cooked so informal and nothing too expensive) but it seems a bit much, I'm not sure they would want to come, or, I don't know... I can't decide. I'm usually so very private in the workplace, and like keeping it that way, but it's a bit different here now. Any suggestions please? Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 It's hard to organise people outside office hours anyway, I think it's best to do your thing there, especially as it's about maternity leave, not like a birthday when people expect alcohol, etc. How about a small gift for each of them? I don't know what your budget is and it should be the same for everyone but maybe like a small hamper or something. Something they can share with their families and is more special than ordering food in (just like you said)? Congratulations on expecting again 1 Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 This may sound cheap, but doesn't need to be and can look impressive... Head to the Dollar Store and - if you have a Cost Plus Imports - and create individual thank-you baskets for them. The Cost Plus store has amazing .99-cent foods (hummus, cheese, crackers, cookies, summer sausage, chocolates, etc.) and between the two stores, you could create individualized gift baskets for each person for $15 or $20 each (or less) which might be what you would spend on serving a meal in your home. I do this for Christmas every year for my husband's office staff and they are always blown away by the variety of things I find for them. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
yellowmaverick Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 This may sound cheap, but doesn't need to be and can look impressive... Head to the Dollar Store and - if you have a Cost Plus Imports - and create individual thank-you baskets for them. The Cost Plus store has amazing .99-cent foods (hummus, cheese, crackers, cookies, summer sausage, chocolates, etc.) and between the two stores, you could create individualized gift baskets for each person for $15 or $20 each (or less) which might be what you would spend on serving a meal in your home. I do this for Christmas every year for my husband's office staff and they are always blown away by the variety of things I find for them. I like this idea - plus, you can throw in a gift certificate. You can also make a different "theme" basket for each one. I once made a "margarita basket" (margarita glasses, mix, gourmet salsa and chips). I have made a "poker" basket, a "eucher" basket, etc. This way, you can present individualzed baskets for their personal hobbies/interests. I sometimes individually wrap some of the items in the basket so that they can open gifts with the big gift. You can buy cellophane and baskets inexpensivley at a store like WalMart or Target. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Silly_Girl Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 Thanks for the suggestions I'm going to think on it. We're British... I really don't know how something so personal would go down. I know that sounds weird! Not ruling it out though. Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Thanks for the suggestions I'm going to think on it. We're British... I really don't know how something so personal would go down. I know that sounds weird! Not ruling it out though. Hampers are very British. My colleagues love receiving gifts first before any other kind of surprise. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Silly_Girl Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 Hampers are very British. My colleagues love receiving gifts first before any other kind of surprise. Hampers are, but personal one-to-one gifts - as opposed to a whole group gift/activity - are more than we (anywhere I've worked) would normally do. I have only known them 8 months, and one of them only 3 months. I think it's easier to do it as a non-personal present (business to business/networking type thing) rather than someone you work with every day but aren't close to. Am I over-thinking it?! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
darkmoon Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) imho, the trick is in the packaging, obviously - artistically be-ribboned tied round, matching the wrapping-paper, a present is a fun token of affection, a sweet lil parcel to unwrap Edited January 23, 2014 by darkmoon Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Hampers are, but personal one-to-one gifts - as opposed to a whole group gift/activity - are more than we (anywhere I've worked) would normally do. I have only known them 8 months, and one of them only 3 months. I think it's easier to do it as a non-personal present (business to business/networking type thing) rather than someone you work with every day but aren't close to. Am I over-thinking it?! Haha maybe not. I had the impression from your original post that you had known them for longer. Link to post Share on other sites
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