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Company Gift Time Again?

Posted by Cliff on from the that-time-of-the-year dept.

realratso asks: "So it's that time of year again... the holidays. Time to choose the 'company gift' for everyone in our small programming company. We've done all the stuff with the company logo- sweatshirts, t-shirts, travel bags, glasses, mugs, etc. It all seems so boring. Is there any gift which you have received at your workplace that was super-cool, not gender specific, and relatively inexpensive? Something that was really usable and worthwhile that you appreciated, but might not buy for yourself? Maybe a new techno-gadget? (and no, 'just money' is not a valid answer)"

17 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. How expensive is expensive? by Craig+Maloney · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Are we talking under $50? Under $20? Under $10? There's a lot of cool gifts in the $50 range, but I'm sure you're thinking along the lines of around $15, right?

    If not, I recommend a jaunt to Thinkgeek and get a boat-load of those Digi-Q remote controlled racing cars. :)

    1. Re:How expensive is expensive? by BusterB · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I saw a similar boat-load of remode-controlled mini-racing cars at Home Depot for $12 each. I don't remember the brand, but they looked like fun.

  2. Hamster! by L.+VeGas · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cute, cheap, teaches responsibility.
    And It has the side benefit that next year the workers will hope you don't get them anything.

    --
    Best Windows Freeware
  3. Klein Bottle by dmorin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    www.kleinbottle.com is pretty cool, but I'm sure it's too expensive for what you want to do.

    --
    www.HearMySoulSpeak.com
  4. The opposite. by Trusty+Penfold · · Score: 3, Funny


    Our company just gave us layoffs :-(

  5. How about by succotash · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Tickets to the Lord of the Rings movie?

    1. Re:How about by foistboinder · · Score: 5, Interesting

      ... and an afternoon off to watch it.

      --
      Yet Another Web Site
  6. Foosball Table! by Bouncings · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One for the office. It's actually pretty cheap compared to big bonuses, it'll always be rememberd, and it's a great recruiting tool.

    --
    -- Ken Kinder ken@_nospam_kenkinder.com http://kenkinder.com/
  7. Everglide Mousing Surface by jpsst34 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How about an Everglide mousing surface? I have one at home and one at work. Anyone who's used them loves them. And their prices have dropped to about 12 bucks for the standard elliptical one.

    --
    How are you going to keep them down on the farm once they've seen Karl Hungus?
  8. Hashish and Tequilla by jpsst34 · · Score: 3, Informative

    These are things that I would love to have, but don't want to buy for myself. Plus, if you're feeling down, there's nothing like two mental depressants to get your spirits up. "A surefire healer: Hashish and Tequilla"

    --
    How are you going to keep them down on the farm once they've seen Karl Hungus?
  9. Security Blanket by spuke4000 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I work for a small network security company. Last year they gave us a fleece blanket with the company logo on it (the joke was that its a security blanket). Really, though, it was the best piece of swag I ever got. I don't think it's too expensive, gender neutral, one size fits all... and everyone liked them.

    --
    This post cannot be rebroadcast without the express written constent of Major League Baseball.
  10. Swingline by TheSHAD0W · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd recommend a red Swingline stapler for everyone. Not only will it keep your employees happy, but it'll cut down on your fire insurance rates!

  11. Not a valid answer so don't bother reading this... by xagon7 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Yes, money. I am married with 2 children. I would rather my workplace give money than some newfangled toy that will collect dust and only be used as a novelty. Making my family happy makes me happy. Money, food, clothes, and toys from Santa makes my family happy. Don't think you are being uncaring or cheap by giving money, as it is probably the MOST welcome.

  12. Have you already given away Umbrellas? by crath · · Score: 3, Interesting

    We gave umbrella's to beta testers a couple of years ago; the tall ones that one usually associates with golfing. It was considered odd at the time, but since then we've had lots of positive comments on how much everyone appreciated them. BTW, we had the product logo silk screened onto them.

  13. 2 best gifts by moc.tfosorcimgllib · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One was an unexpected paid day off:
    Everyone was working on Monday already, Christmas was on Tuesday. The friday before, boss walks in, says everyone has monday off, fully paid, and took us out to lunch.

    The other best gift was gift certificates to the restraunt of our choice, Boos just went around, asked everyone individually where they liked to eat out, and bought $30 gift certificates to that place with a card, and put them in a holiday mug.

  14. Keychain LEDs by cartographer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I got one of those keychain LED flashlights at work a year ago and loved it to death. I recently had to buy myself a replacement.

    That was a perfect office gift; cheap, slightly geeky and useful.

  15. keychain usb drives by acomj · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Those keychain usb drives. They sell them with company logos on them too..

    Great for taking home work, files you download in the office etc..