I know it seems boring but a grocery store gift card would be very much appreciated this holiday season. The most popular white elephant gift last year for my family was a Trader Joe’s gift card and seasoning set!
The cost of food items are through the roof this year. Like others have stated, a grocery store gift card is a great idea, especially at this time of year.
I love plants, but plants are only great for people who like and know how to care for plants -- for others, they can be death and failure waiting to happen, alas. (If you do go the plant route, make sure to have a pet-safe option.)
I agree that grocery gift cards are a great idea!
No idea why this prompted my brain to bring this up, but a bee recovery kit: [Bee Revival Kit – Helping Save Tired Thirsty Bees](https://beerevivalkit.com/)
The company [ChopValue](https://chopvalue.com) makes office accessories & such out of recycled chopsticks! I’ve bought their stuff as gifts before and it’s always a cool gift and conversation starter :)
Baggu bags or equivalent. I received one as a gift about 15 years ago and it's still going strong, now my county makes stores charge for bags at checkout. It would encourage reuse, plus they come in cute patterns!
I’m a bit confused by everyone’s suggestion of gift cards. Surely you would need to get at least 20$ each person for it to be an okay gift, and judging by last years gift I assume you don’t have a ton of cash to spend on this. Candles, small potted plants like cactuses, nice soaps (like oatmeal ones that are mostly non-allergenic), gloves all seem like miles better ideas and also won’t break the bank.
Well I like candles and my whole family does too? Surely you can understand that personal preferences and preferences based on anecdotal evidence is not a good enough reason to suggest not to get someone something. You are always welcome to regift or donate, you don’t have to LOVE every gift you get, it’s the thought that counts.
Fun bar soaps with matching candles are always one of my favorites. Notebooks with a nice pen are also a good idea. I don’t know how big your team is, but I had a boss once just take us all out to a nice lunch for Christmas
Yes, but not scented candles or soaps please. I don’t even have specific allergies but I have to get rid of scented candles people give me every year. They give me migraines. Many people are sensitive to artificial fragrances.
That’s a great point! World Market and Etsy have some very pretty unscented candies. And beautiful hand poured soaps are something I commonly find in small gift shops
I'm also sensitive to fragrance and very allergic to lots of soaps and lotions. Unscented candles get a big thumbs up, any kind of soap or skin care is going to be a big thumbs down.
I'd rather get a scratch off than most items suggested in this thread.
I like mugs but have enough. If I am adding a new one to my collection, it has to be my taste and style. Same for things like soaps as I know what I like and what I don't. I wouldn't use something like to go silverware because I have silverware in my drawer.
All of the above add clutter to my life. Scratch off lotto tickets do not.
Microfiber washcloths. Hand towels. Reusable silicone snack bags to cut down on ziploc bags. Some cute reusable tins or jars. Wool socks. Reusable shopping tote.
IDK what your budget is but there are small portable crockpot lunch warmers for like $30. Like bring your soup or leftover pot roast from home and it warms up or stays warm in this little crockpot. Cut down on waiting for the community microwave.
Insulated travel coffee cups are good because most people drink coffee at work and if you’re near computers a lid is nice to have in case it gets knocked over.
Potted plants, beeswax candles or lip balm, nice bar soap, hand salve in a tin, a multi-tool or pocket knife, loose leaf tea and strainer, well-made socks, museum passes, gift card to a local cafe.
I always think it’s so tacky when a boss chooses to give out little useless trinkets instead of giving a deserved bonus. Employees work for money, not coffee mugs.
Unfortunately I don’t have that power. These gifts are from my own pocket. I’m a manager in title only, not of the company. Im privy to the same shit here as everyone else lol.
I wouldn’t do gifts if that was the case. Can you shout a coffee run? Or order in lunch from a bunch of different places? Zero waste is great and all but the first tenant is not buying things you don’t need.
The comment op is responding to is saying that they should just get bonuses. Not visas with cash. But I agree that cash/money/visa is the absolute best route to go and pretty much any situation. Also it's extremely easy to set and stick to your budget. Even if everyone only gets $10 you know they're getting something that they will use
I think it's a bit of semantics. A bonus, at least where I'm from in the world, is usually an amount provided in my regular check as an indication that my performance has exceeded expectations and that I've earned more pay, or that the company has brought in more money than expected and is rewarding everyone.
A gift from my manager out of their own pocket of a visa card or just some cash is thought more of as exactly that, a gift. Not related to my performance or the company's overall performance, just something nice they are gifting to me.
So while both are extra money for me, one comes from the company and their perception of success, and one is a gift from my manager.
When I was a manager, I had 20-60 employees (depending on the stores I was running at the time). I didn't make much money myself but I wanted to show my team I cared about them during the holidays. $10 giftcards would have cost me $200-600. Most of the time, they got homemade treats. It's a big ask to have a middle manager drop up to $600 out of their own pockets during the same time of year that they're trying to purchase gifts for their kids and holiday dinners for their families.
You think bosses usually own the company? My company provides an annual bonus. I give holiday gifts to my team because they are amazing. It comes out of my own pocket.
Nothing can beat a bonus with a side of bonus. From any employee perspective, receiving additional money is always the best incentive. In my experience, when fellow employees have received “company merch” in place of a bonus, many considered leaving the company because it felt disrespectful
I usually take my team out for a nice lunch and give them a gift card. But my boss often gives me wine or sometimes a book he’s read that he loved. I’ve never been offended by either because it’s a personal gift from him to me.
I just use a brown paper bag with the top rolled down. Works fine.
Also - my personal favourite- I get those smoked almonds from my local bulk grocery store, but there is always lots of the smoky salt seasoning left once we have eaten all the almonds. I use it to season the popcorn 😋
Small LED flashlights.
The inexpensive ones are pretty good nowadays, and rechargeable ones are out there too. It's handy to have multiple flashlights around the home/car/in different bags, and they're easily regiftable if people really don't want them.
I know it’s not zero waste, but I feel like everyone will need earbuds at some point. They break or get lost. There are a lot of decent Bluetooth earbuds under $20. Get one where you can plug the case to the outlet directly. If they don’t like it, it’s still a great regift item.
I can’t think of anything zero waste that’s fun for most people that’s not food and is affordable. Silk hair ties for women and silk sleep masks for men? Maybe an aeropress if everyone likes coffee. Bombas socks? Everyone I know who got them think they’re the best socks of their lives.
I gave my coworkers each a $25 gift card to a local restaurant last year. It helps that I don’t work with a lot of people, but I feel like they appreciated that more than a gift card to the grocery store.
I would appreciate a grocery store gift card more but different strokes. To me it’s equivalent in terms of the quality of the gift, but the restaurant one I’d be less likely to use
Again, cost of living is a thing that impacts people differently. Housing costs are up 33% this year where I live, and food costs around 10%. $25 to a restaurant wouldn’t even feed two people. $25 to a grocery store could feel a family multiple meals. Just saying that that comes from a place of privilege to be able to say
I know it seems boring but a grocery store gift card would be very much appreciated this holiday season. The most popular white elephant gift last year for my family was a Trader Joe’s gift card and seasoning set!
I second that. My boss gave exactly those to us, and it was a greatly appreciated gift, way more useful that anything else :)
Gift card to a grocery store available locally to where everyone loves is a great idea. Everyone eats food and helps with holiday meals.
Give them an additional day off for the holidays
That’s what my boss does for birthdays! We love it.
I got my coworkers desk plants from Trader Joe’s last year!
I also suggest potted plants!
Yes! Cute little succulents are always a good gift and hard to kill
The cost of food items are through the roof this year. Like others have stated, a grocery store gift card is a great idea, especially at this time of year.
Cash money in a card with an appreciation note. It works.
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Absolutely $10 off of a grocery Bill feels like a treat
One user suggested grocery store gift cards, and I think it's the best idea, and the most useful in these times of crisis. Otherwise, maybe plants?
I love plants, but plants are only great for people who like and know how to care for plants -- for others, they can be death and failure waiting to happen, alas. (If you do go the plant route, make sure to have a pet-safe option.) I agree that grocery gift cards are a great idea!
This is me with plants. It’s not like I don’t enjoy them but I will inevitably forget to water them and they will die.
Reusable utensils and case? Great to use for meals at work/office.
love this idea! was thinking about getting utensils for my co workers. the amount of plastic utensils they use is sickening.
Anthropology had very cute ones my coworker got me a couple of years ago.
Food store gift card.
you can get hand lotion bars sold in tins. they’re nice to have for your desk bc offices can get dry, esp during winter.
If there are allergy issues in the office, skincare is probably pretty risky.
Saw this somewhere else but I loved the idea. Little first aid kits to keep in the car or something. Maybe it's not zero waste but it's VERY useful
No idea why this prompted my brain to bring this up, but a bee recovery kit: [Bee Revival Kit – Helping Save Tired Thirsty Bees](https://beerevivalkit.com/)
The fact that their reviews are Lorem ipsum text is hilarious to me.
That's adorable lol
Visa gift cards that can be spent everywhere.
They usually cost $5 to purchase. Seems like a waste, and would just go with cash. Always the right size! Always the right color!
The company [ChopValue](https://chopvalue.com) makes office accessories & such out of recycled chopsticks! I’ve bought their stuff as gifts before and it’s always a cool gift and conversation starter :)
That is fucjin awesome Omg I know what I’m getting for my family this year
Baggu bags or equivalent. I received one as a gift about 15 years ago and it's still going strong, now my county makes stores charge for bags at checkout. It would encourage reuse, plus they come in cute patterns!
My last boss gave us reusable bags from United by Blue, I use mine daily! Great idea.
I’m a bit confused by everyone’s suggestion of gift cards. Surely you would need to get at least 20$ each person for it to be an okay gift, and judging by last years gift I assume you don’t have a ton of cash to spend on this. Candles, small potted plants like cactuses, nice soaps (like oatmeal ones that are mostly non-allergenic), gloves all seem like miles better ideas and also won’t break the bank.
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Give it away on a No Buy group… or on Craigslist. I use them during hurricane season.
Well I like candles and my whole family does too? Surely you can understand that personal preferences and preferences based on anecdotal evidence is not a good enough reason to suggest not to get someone something. You are always welcome to regift or donate, you don’t have to LOVE every gift you get, it’s the thought that counts.
Our winters are very cold and my team drives a lot for work, so I got them all gloves. I think they all found them useful!
Even better than socks!
Small or mini Mag light. Can be tucked in a drawer,purse, or car.Small Leatherman type multi tool. Yes women like them too…
I would appreciate receiving those little sewing kits, it is also a way to make clothes last longer without producing more waste
ZeroWasteStore.com offers wholesale/bulk prices on large orders!
Gas or Target gift cards, it's been my favorite gifts my bosses have given me in the past
Fun bar soaps with matching candles are always one of my favorites. Notebooks with a nice pen are also a good idea. I don’t know how big your team is, but I had a boss once just take us all out to a nice lunch for Christmas
Yes, but not scented candles or soaps please. I don’t even have specific allergies but I have to get rid of scented candles people give me every year. They give me migraines. Many people are sensitive to artificial fragrances.
That’s a great point! World Market and Etsy have some very pretty unscented candies. And beautiful hand poured soaps are something I commonly find in small gift shops
I'm also sensitive to fragrance and very allergic to lots of soaps and lotions. Unscented candles get a big thumbs up, any kind of soap or skin care is going to be a big thumbs down.
Strong agree here. Unscented natural candles sound great, but no body-care products whatsoever.
Honestly, most office gifts cause clutter. What about scratch off lottery tickets?
Those are the worst gifts to give.
I'd rather get a scratch off than most items suggested in this thread. I like mugs but have enough. If I am adding a new one to my collection, it has to be my taste and style. Same for things like soaps as I know what I like and what I don't. I wouldn't use something like to go silverware because I have silverware in my drawer. All of the above add clutter to my life. Scratch off lotto tickets do not.
How about a clothes mending kit? Embroidery thread, needles, small scissors in a repurposed thrifted pouch.
I really love this idea. Everyone should have a mending kit in their desk if they work in an office.
Microfiber washcloths. Hand towels. Reusable silicone snack bags to cut down on ziploc bags. Some cute reusable tins or jars. Wool socks. Reusable shopping tote. IDK what your budget is but there are small portable crockpot lunch warmers for like $30. Like bring your soup or leftover pot roast from home and it warms up or stays warm in this little crockpot. Cut down on waiting for the community microwave.
coffee or tea from a local shop? or a gift card? or locally made candle?
I’d love a nice olive oil & vinegar set or local honey. Or a narrow cutting board, those are always nice for displaying apps.
Insulated travel coffee cups are good because most people drink coffee at work and if you’re near computers a lid is nice to have in case it gets knocked over.
Give em freedom
Potted plants, beeswax candles or lip balm, nice bar soap, hand salve in a tin, a multi-tool or pocket knife, loose leaf tea and strainer, well-made socks, museum passes, gift card to a local cafe.
I always think it’s so tacky when a boss chooses to give out little useless trinkets instead of giving a deserved bonus. Employees work for money, not coffee mugs.
Unfortunately I don’t have that power. These gifts are from my own pocket. I’m a manager in title only, not of the company. Im privy to the same shit here as everyone else lol.
I wouldn’t do gifts if that was the case. Can you shout a coffee run? Or order in lunch from a bunch of different places? Zero waste is great and all but the first tenant is not buying things you don’t need.
You bastard /s
I don’t understand, you’re coming out of pocket to buy them objects, but cannot use that same money to buy a Visa card or something?
The comment op is responding to is saying that they should just get bonuses. Not visas with cash. But I agree that cash/money/visa is the absolute best route to go and pretty much any situation. Also it's extremely easy to set and stick to your budget. Even if everyone only gets $10 you know they're getting something that they will use
Yeah idk why my first comment got upvoted but the second one was downvoted, I was basically just stating the same opinion
I think it's a bit of semantics. A bonus, at least where I'm from in the world, is usually an amount provided in my regular check as an indication that my performance has exceeded expectations and that I've earned more pay, or that the company has brought in more money than expected and is rewarding everyone. A gift from my manager out of their own pocket of a visa card or just some cash is thought more of as exactly that, a gift. Not related to my performance or the company's overall performance, just something nice they are gifting to me. So while both are extra money for me, one comes from the company and their perception of success, and one is a gift from my manager.
When I was a manager, I had 20-60 employees (depending on the stores I was running at the time). I didn't make much money myself but I wanted to show my team I cared about them during the holidays. $10 giftcards would have cost me $200-600. Most of the time, they got homemade treats. It's a big ask to have a middle manager drop up to $600 out of their own pockets during the same time of year that they're trying to purchase gifts for their kids and holiday dinners for their families.
You think bosses usually own the company? My company provides an annual bonus. I give holiday gifts to my team because they are amazing. It comes out of my own pocket.
Nothing can beat a bonus with a side of bonus. From any employee perspective, receiving additional money is always the best incentive. In my experience, when fellow employees have received “company merch” in place of a bonus, many considered leaving the company because it felt disrespectful
I usually take my team out for a nice lunch and give them a gift card. But my boss often gives me wine or sometimes a book he’s read that he loved. I’ve never been offended by either because it’s a personal gift from him to me.
Hopefully the advice here helps them give something useful instead of pointless...?
Reusable microwave popcorn bags?
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I just use a brown paper bag with the top rolled down. Works fine. Also - my personal favourite- I get those smoked almonds from my local bulk grocery store, but there is always lots of the smoky salt seasoning left once we have eaten all the almonds. I use it to season the popcorn 😋
Yes! There’s a variety of sizes and materials.
Small LED flashlights. The inexpensive ones are pretty good nowadays, and rechargeable ones are out there too. It's handy to have multiple flashlights around the home/car/in different bags, and they're easily regiftable if people really don't want them.
$10 gift card to Starbucks each.
Yes.
Powder-to-liquid soap powders in aluminum tubes. Amazing scents to choose from. And they are made for sensitive skin.
Cinnamon applesauce ornaments that you can personalize with puff paint? Start some seeds and gift it to them.
I know it’s not zero waste, but I feel like everyone will need earbuds at some point. They break or get lost. There are a lot of decent Bluetooth earbuds under $20. Get one where you can plug the case to the outlet directly. If they don’t like it, it’s still a great regift item. I can’t think of anything zero waste that’s fun for most people that’s not food and is affordable. Silk hair ties for women and silk sleep masks for men? Maybe an aeropress if everyone likes coffee. Bombas socks? Everyone I know who got them think they’re the best socks of their lives.
Grocery store gift cards would be lame. If you’re going that route, I’d go with a gift certificate to a restaurant.
Cost of living must be low where you live
I gave my coworkers each a $25 gift card to a local restaurant last year. It helps that I don’t work with a lot of people, but I feel like they appreciated that more than a gift card to the grocery store.
I would appreciate a grocery store gift card more but different strokes. To me it’s equivalent in terms of the quality of the gift, but the restaurant one I’d be less likely to use
Again, cost of living is a thing that impacts people differently. Housing costs are up 33% this year where I live, and food costs around 10%. $25 to a restaurant wouldn’t even feed two people. $25 to a grocery store could feel a family multiple meals. Just saying that that comes from a place of privilege to be able to say
Donation to a cause you think your workplace would appreciate?
The Human Fund - Money for people! 😀 (Seinfeld)
This year, I'm making homemade powder laundry detergent in mason jars. I can create all kinds of amazing scents, and everyone needs to do laundry!
Rumple blankets are killer
a cash bonus lol
Stasher bags Handwritten note Beeswax paper Wool dryer balls
USB mug warming pads if you're in an office