Do people appreciate small gifts? Spinoff $2-4 gifts

amother

OP ↓

Today at 8:51 am

Im the OP of that thread.

I would appreciate the discussion and feedback on this topic but want it separate from that thread.

I want to keep that thread for links.
Thanks! Smile

Here's the link.
https://www.imamother.com/foru.....87551

Edited: If you want to you can leave your feedback here but I am not asking for it.

I will appreciate reading it but if it is hard for you then by all means don't comment.

But please, if you want to comment on the topic of 2-4 gift items please do it here.

Please do not comment on that thread as I do not want it to become all about the discussion.
I opened it because I need links.

Thanks for understanding.

amother

Oatmeal

Today at 9:00 am

Honestly, no. I don't have place for junky scarves or umbrellas that will break after a single use or more pens and notebooks or shmattas from Temu. I'd rather get gifts less often and better quality. Like a $30 umbrella, recipe book, diffuser, lotion...

honey36

Today at 9:08 am

Yes! BUT depends what

I'm the type of person who throws a lot out and hates clutter.

Therefore I would say- only something that "gets used up/disposable". I liked the ideas for something like: a scented candle, chapstick, small pack of tissues for your purse, small hand sanitizer or hand cream, jar of spices from t.j., chocolates always good.

There were some other great ideas on that thread. Plus is these gifts are also probably cheaper than the "real" gifts. I would even consider a cheap pair of gloves useful and "disposable" since they are great to keep in random coat pockets and they get lost or worn out.

But yeah, honestly if I got a shawl, throw pillow, or any house wear thing- candy dish/bowl/serving dish it would end up in the garbage.

amother

Turquoise

Today at 9:08 am

No, I spend enough of my time trying to declutter as it is. We've tried to switch to experiences for gifts as much as possible so we don't end up with more stuff every Chanukah and birthday. If someone is gifting me something cheap, I'd rather it be something yummy or perishable that I can enjoy for a bit and then it's gone. That could be food or something that gets used up, like a havdalah candle or hand cream.

amother

Pink

Today at 9:12 am

Depends on the gift and what the gift is for. Freebies that advertise a company are fine if useful. Consumables like lip balm, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, pens, memo pads--sure, why not. Key chains and mugs not so much--they aren't consumable, and how many does one need? Mugs do break, but even so...
Mini-flashlights are good, ditto mini sewing kits. Stay away from things like perfume or costume jewelry--that's too dependent on personal taste, and anything that cheap would be garbage and downright insulting. Similarly, if it's meant to be a reward for a job well done, the price is awfully chintzy.

Personally, I don't appreciate gift cards for specific vendors. General-purpose gift cards that can be used anywhere are better, and cash is best.

amother

Sienna

Today at 9:15 am

Not junk I'd be stuck with, but a consumable that wasn't terrible quality would be okay (small hand lotion, chocolate bar, cute notepad, nice pens, lip balm, etc). Or something useful that you could always use another of (flashlight, mini umbrella).

imanotmommy

Today at 9:19 am

If there's thought put into it. That way I appreciate the thought regardless of whether it's useful or I throw it out or give it away.
So if my boss buys a towel for each employee at dollar tree: not useful, not thoughtful, not wanted
But if a friend sees a cheap keychain that reminds her of me and gets that for me: I may never use it, may not keep it, but I think I appreciate it more than the money she spent.

JasmineDragon

Today at 9:28 am

Cheap gifts can be nice if they're still decent items, I.e. not something that will immediately break (I bought a cheap umbrella once and it couldn't handle the wind and broke the first time I really needed it. Wasn't worth the few shekels I spent on it).

I'll always enjoy a chocolate bar. If you're giving gifts regularly the stuff might pile up and be a bit burdensome, but food usually gets eaten right away.

I agree with an above poster that gift cards to specific places are annoying. I was once gifted a massage at a location near my work (not a cheap gift by any means), and I never ended up going. I don't think my coworkers did, either. A gift card for a few dollars isn't worth the effort to use. If it's to a bakery better to buy pastries and bring them to work.

watergirl ↓

Today at 9:31 am

No way. That thread and the suggestions in it are the grown up equivalent of kids prizes from Oriental Trading Co.

But I would love to understand your train of thinking in that thread. You said that you would be giving these things on a consistent basis. Maybe I’m not understanding where you work? Or who the employees are? Is it a population of adults who have special needs? And why anyone would want a cheap black (of all colors!) pashmina?

Re: “it’s the thought that counts” comments - cheap $2-4 gifts given on a consistent basis makes me as an employee feel like my boss thinks I’m a simple minded person who is worthy of cheap “gifts”, and who needs to be handed a prize for doing my job. I don’t need or want a $3 candle. Or danishes. Or a shawl.

Figure out your gift budget for the year, divide it by that many employees, and give them that cash/Amazon gift card on chanukah or their birthday with a personal note.

There are tiktok and IG reels of employees showing insulting gifts their bosses have given. Don’t end up on a reel.

amother

Crocus

Today at 9:31 am

No

The only time I’d appreciate it is if it’s from someone of very little means or a kid or something

It actually would bother me to receive something from my workplace that costs 2-4$ if they think they’re actually doing something for me. Don’t waste your time and money on that. It’s insulting.

PinkFridge ↓

Today at 9:31 am

Iymnok wrote:

DH went to a trade show. The swag that is still in use a year later are:
A small canvas tote bag
A pen with a stylus
Other pens
Memo pad
Baseball cap (a good one)

Trade show swag is less personal than what OP is asking.
But I get your point: You're telling OP what you personally find useful.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Today at 9:36 am

watergirl wrote:

I mentioned on that thread that I give very expensive gifts year round but I need these too.

I don't want to give more information because I don't want to give myself away.

I am not concerned if I'm insulting anyone. I know I'm not.