It's that time of year... gift giving questions!
 

So i'm a little lost on the office gift-giving things...

First, my secretary. How much $$$ should I spend? I'm not making big bucks, so as much as she deserves a huge fancy gift because she kicks ass, I don't have the money.

What about bosses? I technically have one partner that is technically my supervisor, but I don't even talk to him very often, I talk to other partners in our practice group and get assignments from them. So it's like I have a bunch of partners. Then there's the guy who hired me and that I do some work for.

Where do the lines fall for gifts??? Blah!

I'm glad I'm not your legal assistant! J/K Danielle! Last year I got a Starbucks gift card, a Gap gift certificate, a gift certificate from the restaurant right next door to our office, and a check. Not all from the same attorney. My fave gift was from a paralegal, it was a cute coffee mug, a coffee mug warmer, a coffee grinder, and a variety of whole bean coffees. I still use the mug, warmer and coffee grinder. I love useful gifts.

As far as getting something for your boss...I look at it like, he makes WAY more than I do. So I will probably make him some Christmas cookies, and maybe I will make the partner Hannukah cookies if he starts being nicer to me!

My mother usually gives her secretary cash. She has also given her silk scarves, jewelry, and Chanel No. 5. The associates give my mother (a partner in her law firm) little things like ornaments, boxes of chocolate, or holiday cookies. She would be embarrassed to accept anything too extravagant from them.

Last year my boss gave me a cashmere scarf and pair of gloves that matched my coat. I really liked that gift and wore them all the time. I gave her a really beautiful silk floral print scarf.

Last year I gave my two attys ornaments from their undergraduate schools. The year before I gave them engraved business card holders.

Last year I gave my secretary and the other paralegal a Christmas figurine/musical thingie. The year before I gave them....I can't remember! I already got their gifts for this year. They're both getting a Lennox tart warmer with holly designs. Not sure about my attys yet.

I always give my boss a gift certificate to a home brewery supply company so he can order what he needs to make his beer. He gets me Oprah magazine.

ETA: I saw these awesome gourmet apples on QVC and thought that if I had a bunch of people to buy for, I would get the package set and separate them. They were like $30 for 7 apples plus peppermint bark and something else (can't remember what). Of course, I don't remember the company that makes them either.. I think it was Mrs. Pepperdel or something like that. They make them on Sundays and ship them by Tuesday so they are made fresh and to order.

ETA: Found the link.. it's Mrs. Prindables

the link

Edited yet again: Teachers? Is this something YOU would like to get from a student?

Danielle, how about if you buy an inexpensive wicker basket and fill it with small bags of different coffees and cocoa mixes and maybe a mug and those chocolate-covered stirrers (ever see them? They're coffee stirrers dipped in chocolate which melts when you stir your coffee with them. Yum)

It's thoughtful and inexpensive and I did that for my secretary last time I had one :)

Anything but a coffee mug that says something corny about educating children.

Gift certificates were great, especially to places like Target (or Staples). I think Target is great because I tend go there and buy construction paper and glue, candy, decorations or stuff like that. Or I could be selfish and spend the gift card on myself. I liked getting a gift cards for Starbucks.

A friend got a plant last year, which fit her classroom because shes a science teacher and wanted more live things in the class.

For bosses I usually go with cookies-- unless the department collects money for a bigger gift for the boss. Coworkers, in my dept- I usually go with a nice mug, coffee, small gift card or something along those lines.

I started a new job in Ocotber--I hate figuring out what offices do for each other. Last xmas I asked my coworkers (new office last yr too)- I was told we dont do anything-- the day before the holidays everyone in the dept exchanged gifts! I felt like an arse not having something for them all- but everyone of them said they dont do gifts!

My son has a man teacher this year-- usually I get the teacher a bath and body gift set-- ideas for a male teacher?

And does anyone have a pet bird? I need ideas for a gift for a bird-- my son's classroom has a pet bird that my son loves- so we need to get Ella something.

As a teacher I always love getting food or some kind of gift certificate. As DolphinChicaDDD said as long as it isn't coffee cups or coffee, I don't even drink coffee, or Christmas decorations. While its the thought that counts, I am running out of room for coffee cups and Christmas decorations!!

ok...heres one for ya...advice on the boyfriends parents gift please!

we have been dating for a few months but friends forever. His parents live in the same town as us, so we do a lot with them. I have no idea if they are getting me anything or if i will even see them before i leave the state to be with my family, but I would like to get them something. They do not drink alcohol, they eat out all them time. His dad is a principal and his mom is a teacher, so they get all sorts of gift cards and whatnot from their schools. Help please! I am at a total loss!

teacher gifts- I love it when my students give me gift cards or really good homemade stuff like cookies and candies (and its always a good idea to attach the reciepe card to it so I can make it later!)

As the child of a teacher, here some advice on teacher gifts--

Diabetic teachers can't drink cocoa or eat a basket of sweets. Those with sensitive skin can't enjoy those scented lotions. One person's taste in jewelry or home decor is not another's. And although ornaments are lovely gifts during the holidays, not everyone celebrates Christmas.

The best gift to give is a card with a message from the child and parents, and if you are going to spend money, just give the teacher a Visa or Amex giftcard-- this way they can spend it on whatever they like. Over the years, my mom has gotten some thoughtful and random gifts that, although appreciated, sit and gather dust.

One year, the parents all chipped in cash and wrote a really nice card, and my mom was touched that they'd all agreed on something-- and it was certainly a gift she liked.

I know gift cards seem impersonal and boring, but most people I know appreciate them--especially teachers that have to spend oodles of $$ getting stuff for their classes. With a gift card the recipient can get whatever s/he wants so everybody's happy--just make sure the card is to a store that they go to!

Everyone has given some really great ideas!!! :)

I personally love to make my gifts...


this year I am making homemade baskets for family: each basket contains 2 jars of my homemade jelly, a tin of assorted homebaked cookies, a jar of homemade peppermint bark, 3 bars of all natural homemade soaps...i make them by couple or family, so each family gets a basket of goodies to share.

for co-workers and my boss i give a tin of cookies or a loaf of bannana bread.

i love the idea of the coffee basket though, i have a friend who lives off coffee so i might make her a basket like that...and my boyfriends sister as well is in med school and lives off coffee...

for teachers i think gift certificates work best.. i start my first year of teaching next fall (if i pass my internship this spring) and i know ill be wishing for gift certificates.

Is it just me, or are there some kids that you just won't eat homemade stuff from? Not gonna lie, in this case I judge based on apperences and won't eat stuff. I just see how they present themselves at school, and how the work gets handed in sometimes and get creeped out. Plus, some might be trying to posion me. Generally, unless I know the family (ie mother is a teacher, or volunteers at the school, or I know them from places like where I coach) I won't eat it.

This applies to my some of my friends too. Especially if you have a cat and it jumps all over the counter. Weirds me out. And I won't eat stuff from that person.

Another child of a teacher (two, actually) speaking up...

PLEASE DON'T GET THEM ANYTHING WITH AN APPLE ON IT! Between my mom and my dad, I could decorate their Christmas trees and mine with nothing but apple ornaments. I could supply my husband's entire office with apple-themed mugs.

You get the idea. :)