10-28-2013, 09:32 AM
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#1
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Edmonton
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Corporate Gift for Employees
It is that time of year again. The special time when you realize that you should have ordered employee gifts a month ago and are now behind schedule and still short of an idea.
Every year we hand out a small gift at the Christmas party and I am looking to the brain trust for ideas.
The guidelines:
Around $35 per person
Preferably logo'd
something that the majority will like/appreciate
I am personally in favour of two routes. Something consumable like fancy chocolates or a basket of delicious food or something of quality that will last and be used for a while. On the later track, I am against things like buying everyone a jacket because a $35 jacket will be a cheap jacket and won't be used/kept. I would rather buy something that is normally cheap and get a top quality version of it. I suggested buying something like icebreaker socks but the second half of the decision making team didn't like the idea.
Any thoughts or suggestions? What generic gifts have you liked in the past? What gifts have you tossed as soon as you got home?
Please keep in mind that it also has to meet our corporate policies on drugs and sexual harassment, both of which are frowned upon by the company? Also gift cards and other like cash goods are out for tax reasons. No one wants to receive a gift and then be forced to pay taxes on it.
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10-28-2013, 09:37 AM
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#2
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: I'm right behind you
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GP_Matt
Please keep in mind that it also has to meet our corporate policies on drugs and sexual harassment, both of which are frowned upon by the company?
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So, I guess logo'ed glass crack pipes shaped like dongs are out then? Sheesh, lighten up...
__________________
Don't fear me. Trust me.
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10-28-2013, 09:40 AM
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#3
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Edmonton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Reaper
So, I guess logo'ed glass crack pipes shaped like dongs are out then? Sheesh, lighten up...
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We used to be cool and then oil companies started reviewing our HSE and HR policies and telling us that if we wanted to work for them we had to add more chapters.
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10-28-2013, 09:54 AM
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#4
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Lifetime Suspension
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Calgary
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Why logo'd? Do your employees frequently forget where they work?
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10-28-2013, 09:55 AM
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#6
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Crash and Bang Winger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canehdianman
Why logo'd? Do your employees frequently forget where they work?
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It is important to properly brand your property.
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10-28-2013, 10:14 AM
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#7
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Behind Nikkor Glass
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The gift of not being fired right before Christmas?
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10-28-2013, 10:18 AM
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#8
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Edmonton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Regulator75
The gift of not being fired right before Christmas?
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A thoughtful gesture, but some employees would feel left out if we didn't give one to everyone.
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10-28-2013, 10:22 AM
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#9
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Wucka Wocka Wacka
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
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I think a logo'd gift is, frankly, weak...this is a gift for the employees...not a gift for your brand.
__________________
"WHAT HAVE WE EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS??? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US????" -Oiler Fan
"It was a debacle of monumental proportions." -MacT
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Calgary Highlander,
Canehdianman,
Flamezzz,
GP_Matt,
Ironhorse,
jtfrogger,
KTrain,
Montana Moe,
RW99,
Sliver,
Swarly,
verda13
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10-28-2013, 10:23 AM
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#10
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Atomic Nerd
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Calgary
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The last corporate gift we got was a branded el-cheapo leatherette portfolio. I don't know who's brilliant idea that was. I haven't seen any of them ever being used.
When we were hired, we got a branded water bottle.
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10-28-2013, 10:27 AM
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#11
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: I'm right behind you
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How about a print of the sign Mr. Burns hung in Homer's control room with your company logo in the bottom right corner.
"Remember, you're here for ever."
__________________
Don't fear me. Trust me.
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10-28-2013, 10:34 AM
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#12
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Franchise Player
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one year a company that i used to work for gave us nice fleece vests with the company lost discretly on the front.
the next year they gave us white long sleeve button up shirts (stampede style shirts) with the company name on the back.
the year after that, they went back to crap gifts.
I thoughts items like gifts cards, with no cash value or a value less than $500 are not taxed.
Whatever you give, give something nice that will be used, not crap!!!!
__________________
If I do not come back avenge my death
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10-28-2013, 10:35 AM
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#13
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Back in Calgary!!
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A donation to the Human Fund.
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10-28-2013, 10:40 AM
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#14
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Powerplay Quarterback
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GP_Matt
Any thoughts or suggestions? What generic gifts have you liked in the past? What gifts have you tossed as soon as you got home?
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Baseball hats, waterbottles, pens, and fake leather folios seem to be pretty common gifts.
I keep the hats if they fit properly, and I throw out most waterbottles and folios. I keep some pens if they feel right in the hand and write well; otherwise, they are left behind or handed off to others. That being said, baseball hats tend to be a male thing; I don't see many female employees wearing a company logo'd hat.
I got a logo'd business card holder a while back, which I keep in my desk drawer and use only to keep a few business cards in (separate from the box of business cards, so that they are easier to access), but it isn't a gift that I'd want many of.
Maybe you could give a gift that fits in with the line of work the company does?
If a lot of your employees are outside in the winter, how about a branded beanie/toque (made of merino wool, preferably) or a thick scarf? Leather gloves (only issue with those is that you'd have to have a lot on hand for the employees to pick, since sizing would be an issue)?
If you are in the drilling fluids business, how about logo'd umbrellas?
If you are a hard-driving boss, how about a logo'd stress ball?
Etc....
If you don't want to go the logo'd route, how about just a general wood or silver 5" by 7" (or 8" by 10") inch photo frame? Or some quality bookends? Or a decent table lamp (should be able to get one for sub-$35, particularly if you buy in bulk)?
Last edited by HockeyIlliterate; 10-28-2013 at 10:43 AM.
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10-28-2013, 10:40 AM
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#15
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Scoring Winger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sa226
A donation to the Human Fund.
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An excellent suggestion. As it so happens, I am one of the directors of the Human Fund, and can facilitate corporate donations. In order to ensure that the highest percentage of your donation goes where it is needed and isn't wasted on processing fees, the Human Fund only accepts donations in cash. Preferably in small, non-sequential bills.
As to a constructive suggestion, go with a food basket, perhaps accompanied with a bottle of booze or wine. Everybody has stuff, generally far too much of it, and another golf shirt, windbreaker or logoed putter is more of a nuisance than anything. But a nice basket with some good quality snacks for entertaining, everyone should appreciate, as we all do some celebrating and hosting over the season.
Last edited by Voodooman; 10-28-2013 at 10:43 AM.
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10-28-2013, 10:50 AM
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#16
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Atomic Nerd
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
What about the belt buckle?
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I completely forgot about that. They could have at least included a belt if they wanted me to wear my company's name above my crotch.
I traded my belt buckle to a summer student for one of the company branded gym bags that they all received.
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10-28-2013, 10:54 AM
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#17
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Scoring Winger
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hack&Lube
I completely forgot about that. They could have at least included a belt if they wanted me to wear my company's name above my crotch.
I traded my belt buckle to a summer student for one of the company branded gym bags that they all received.
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I was going to suggest a gym/duffel bag. Almost everyone would get use out of it.
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10-28-2013, 11:00 AM
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#18
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Likes Cartoons
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How about cash bonus?
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10-28-2013, 11:04 AM
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#19
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce
How about cash bonus?
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$35 CASH BONUS!!! WOOHOO!
oh, it's taxed too? dammit
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10-28-2013, 11:09 AM
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#20
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Likes Cartoons
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sec304
$35 CASH BONUS!!! WOOHOO!
oh, it's taxed too? dammit
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could do a $40 gift card.
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