Quote:
Originally posted by indiarocks
we just had our secret santa today at work and gift cards were a strict no-no.
however alot of folks exchanged wines.
I agree. Gift card is not that good idea. dosen't look that thoughtful.
Quote:
Originally posted by pratickm
IMO, the wine is a NO-NO.
First of all, wines are about the most individual specific.
You have no idea whether the receiver even drinks wine and if so what are his/her tastes.
For some people, a wine that does not appeal to their taste will feel like crap.
Secondly, you will struggle to find really good wine for under $15.
And if the receiver is a wine snob, he/she will simply curl up their lip and sneer.
Hi pratickm -
It depends on the work atmosphere. Our office welcomes wine, liquor etc to be exchanged. And by the way, its the spirit of christmas (no pun intended). This isn't a very formal event as such I imagine. You can get a lovely bottle of Wolf Blass for $15.
If I gave someone a bottle of wine and they curled their lips, I would snatch the bottle, drink up and give them the bottle back asking them to stick it up their you-know-what. But that's just me.
But a great place for buying gifts would Home Sense. They have some unique items and are very very inexpensive. Check them out. My two cents for a gift - a nice photo frame. Not the cheap looking ones from Walmart. Again Home Sense has some cool ones...
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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher
Quote:I agree that it depends on the people you are buying gifts for.
Originally posted by blorean
Hi pratickm -
It depends on the work atmosphere. Our office welcomes wine, liquor etc to be exchanged. And by the way, its the spirit of christmas (no pun intended). This isn't a very formal event as such I imagine. You can get a lovely bottle of Wolf Blass for $15.
If you know that most of them drink and enjoy wine and which type of wine will match their taste, more or less, then go for it.
I have gifted wine bottles to friends and co-workers in the past, and did so this year as well.
But if you are in a situation where the gifts are being drawn out of a lot, then you can't personalize it.
What if the receipient doesn't like Wolf Blass or doesn't even like any wine?
Quote:Yeah, I agree about Home Sense.
But a great place for buying gifts would Home Sense. They have some unique items and are very very inexpensive. Check them out. My two cents for a gift - a nice photo frame. Not the cheap looking ones from Walmart. Again Home Sense has some cool ones...
In general, if you know who you are buying for then you can personalize the gift like wines or perfumes.
Otherwise, gift cards are safer bets - yes, it is impersonal but then you don't know who is getting the gift so it has to be impersonal.
Personally, I find that the same common gifts year after year are more impersonal than a gift card.
I mean, blenders, coffee makers, dinner sets, coffee mug, wine/beer classes, are so common that it's pointless.
Most of it gets "gifted away" further, donated to Goodwill or just gather dust in the basement.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Posts: 5775
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 19-12-08 20:51:36
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 19-12-08 20:51:36
Quote:
Originally posted by pratickm
Personally, I find that the same common gifts year after year are more impersonal than a gift card.
I mean, blenders, coffee makers, dinner sets, coffee mug, wine/beer classes, are so common that it's pointless.
Most of it gets "gifted away" further, donated to Goodwill or just gather dust in the basement.
Pratick,
I agree. Giving blenders, Coffee mug , Wine/ Beer glasses and the like is absolute waste since most people would already have it.
That is why I recommended electronic clocks / thermometer or momentos / soveneirs as these are never redundant. WIne /Liquor is fine as long as you know their taste and you know who you are gifting it to. Our Boss love Coniac and it is always in our freezer.
Gift cards are highly impersonal and I would refrain from it in Christmas parties. However, I regularly gift Gift cards to friends during the holiday season.
Hope this helps
Peace by TK
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
Quote:Electronics, yes.
Originally posted by tamilkuravan
That is why I recommended electronic clocks / thermometer or momentos / soveneirs as these are never redundant.
I love them - I wish more people would give me electronics, esp. a nice digital camera or the latest LCD - oh well ;o
Quote:Really?
WIne /Liquor is fine as long as you know their taste and you know who you are gifting it to. Our Boss love Coniac and it is always in our freezer.
Most companies (including mine) prohibit such a thing because of liability.
So do you guys have cognac after lunch, or just keep taking swigs all day long?
Just kidding, but yes I'm surprised they allow alcohol in the office.Quote:I feel differently.
Gift cards are highly impersonal and I would refrain from it in Christmas parties.
I wish people at these "secret santa" or "draw a gift" parties at the office would just give me gift cards to common stores like Canadian Tire or Sears, rather than oversized sweaters, wallets or such personal items.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Guys, thanks for sharing your personal views. This is what make the discussion more intresting. The real 'charcha'. keep posting if you have any other tips/views.
Let me share some related links i refered before i post the thread here:
Holiday gift etiquette for co-workers : cnn.com/living
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/worklife/11/30/cb.work.gifts/
one more Vedio link : http://cbs4denver.com/video/?id=50363@kcnc.dayport.com
Posts: 279
Location: Greater Toronto Arena
Posted on: 25-12-08 09:08:56
Location: Greater Toronto Arena
Posted on: 25-12-08 09:08:56
merry christmas to all desi!
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happily holi day!
