Originally Posted By piperlynne We're having a gift exchange on Friday and we have to bring a unisex approx. $10 gift. The people I work with are pretty cool, but very different from each other. Except they're all very serious about their jobs. Ideas? Help? Not everyone likes coffee, so my starbucks card and mug are out. . . .grrr - I'm usually much more creative. . .
Originally Posted By piperlynne Great idea! but it has to be non-holiday specific. Work etiquette and all.
Originally Posted By goodgirl <<Except they're all very serious about their jobs. >> Maybe they need to lighten up. How about some gel pens and glitter glue?
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka Novelty socks! ;-) How about a knit scarf in a neutral color? Target has some great scarves for $10. They are really soft and very plain, just a little bit of fringe at the ends. I have the green one and I believe there were beige, black and/or grey and a couple of other colors. They also had matching gloves (if you wanted to go over the spending limit). How about gift cards for: Napster or i-Tunes movie theater Blockbuster Geez, it is hard to come up with an idea, isn't it? Good luck, piper!
Originally Posted By Deogges Mom A coffee mug is a great idea. Some of the nicer travel mugs go for about ten dollars, I think.
Originally Posted By Ursula My standard is lottery tickets. At last year's gift exchange, two people came up with that idea. Gift certificates are a great idea. You could choose Target, a specialty grocer (Trader Joe's, example), or a local flower shop. Brookstone used to have stocking stuffers for around $10, like handheld massagers, penlights, luggage tags, etc. Amazon.com gift certificate, or perhaps a record or bookstore that is local? Desk accessories, maybe a cool or modern stapler or tape dispenser?
Originally Posted By Kimrue I have a GREAT IDEA.... ok, get a gift bag, put in, a blockbuster gift card, 1 bag of microwave popcorn, box of raisonettes, jr. mints, m&m's etc. or anything else you can think of. also, I know this sounds silly but how about those rolled up fleece blankets that they sell EVERYWHERE this time of year? I got one for a grab bag gift last year, everyone laughed, but let me tell ya, I can't count how many times it's been used, especially in the car. usually between 10-15$. is there a place where everyone orders out lunch? Get a gift certificate from there. candles are nice too...don't forget, presentation matters too. some of my personal favorite gifts have been in a nice gift bag with a little rollicking poem or note. "on a cold winters night, the wind chill will bite, so keep warm and stay home instead...pick out a movie and have some goodies, and have over some of your friends..." happy holidays, your co-worker....
Originally Posted By goodgirl A different kind of gift suggestion here. I just finished 8-weeks of training for CERT (Certified Emergency Reponse Team) so I'm all pro-preparedness. Anyway, in the event of an earthquake at work, you most likely will want to duck under your desk for safety. If walls tumble down or you are trapped, you will need some emergency supplies. You will find them right there under your desk if you have one of these velcroed underneath: 1. A whistle 2. Drinking water 3. Dust mask 4. Light sticks <a href="http://www.pcxhost.com/store/st7/tp8/products/product_detail.jsp?id=13244&unique=1133467027625&sid=6938CACE1080E58753A3C9CAD1D5B1A88A1EB3F2" target="_blank">http://www.pcxhost.com/store/s t7/tp8/products/product_detail.jsp?id=13244&unique=1133467027625&sid=6938CACE1080E58753A3C9CAD1D5B1A88A1EB3F2</a> I also keep one in my car.
Originally Posted By piperlynne THanks for all the suggestions guys! I did the movie rental, popcorn candy thing. Which was made even easier because Hollywood Video had a deal for 1 candy, two popcorns, a soda, and $5 movie rental card for $10. AND it was WRAPPED!
Originally Posted By piperlynne goodgirl. I like that idea. That might be a good - everyone gift. Even though we did an exchange, I like to do something personal for people on my team too. Thinking about it. . .
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Great ideas! And, if I don't say so myself, I think I have another. And, though you did just fine, I'm sorry it didn't occur to me earlier, piperlynne! Anyhow... Any one of those big, thick "Movies on TV and DVD" directories. The ones that list every movie out there alphabetically, then give a review, tell the year it was made, who's in it, etc. It's invaluable at our place. Instead of arguing about when "Zardoz" came out, we look it up. Was that really Steve Guttenberg in "Can't Stop The Music?" Who was that guy in "Mr. Ripley?" Which was the Star Trek movie we both liked? It's really handy to have the most up-to-date version, but it's not something you look forward to spending $10 on each year. Ergo... a current version makes a great gift.
Originally Posted By Kimrue ^^^ very cool idea...I think we should keep this topic up for anyone who may need some ideas still...what about some white elephant ideas....anyone???
Originally Posted By TomSawyer <a href="http://www.despair.com/15ozcoffeemugs.html" target="_blank">http://www.despair.com/15ozcof feemugs.html</a>
Originally Posted By Kimrue well, people call them different things...I'm sure you'll know what it is once I explain...ok, it's when each person participating buys a small gift and it's put into a pile all participants sit around in a circle, usually and pull numbers whoever pulls number 1 chooses a gift from the pile, number 2 can either choose from the pile or number 1's opened gift, if they so choose...and so on...it's pretty fun and it can get quite heated in a fun way sometimes...ps TOMSAWYER...I LOOOVE THOSE MUGS....i will be shopping for some of those later today!
