Nice xmas present for work colleague who has been supportive to me

Rebel1977

I was going through a tough time during the year but thankfully all is good now, a female lady I work with was really helpful to me and I was thinking of getting her a small gift at xmas to show my appreciation for her supportiveness, I was thinking of a gift voucher for say €50, would this seem ok, or seem to much. Any opinion be appreciated.

Summer wind

I think that would be great. The one for all vouchers are great presents cos you can spend them in so many places.

Celly Smunt

If she has somebody in her life maybe a voucher to a nice restaurant?

Rebel1977

Celly Smunt wrote: »

If she has somebody in her life maybe a voucher to a nice restaurant?

She is a divorcee was thinking of one for all vouchers as they seem a safe bet.

CaraMay

I don't think €50 is a small gift and it may make her feel under a compliment. I think a thoughtful gift of max €25 would be appropriate. Like to what she likes and buy accordingly

ladygirl

I recently recieves a €50 one for all voucher for helping someone out for a few weeks. It was a total suprise when I received it and I can honestly say I was delighted. They just wrote a little note saying - thanks for all your help recently. It was much appreciated.

Go for it

Rubberchikken

that's a thoughtful gesture. the 50 euro voucher would be lovely. just the right amount for a nice treat:)
y

cocoman

If you can afford it, €50 would be a nice gift. Lovely gesture. Fair play. Make sure you write a card with it and dont just hand her the voucher.

meeeeh

CaraMay wrote: »

I don't think €50 is a small gift and it may make her feel under a compliment. I think a thoughtful gift of max €25 would be appropriate. Like to what she likes and buy accordingly

I agree with this. If there was monetary cost to her helping you then yes but if she was there only for moral support then I think 50 euro voucher could just make her feel she owes you similar present.

Rebel1977

Thanks for all the replies much appreciated

ziedth

CaraMay wrote: »

I don't think €50 is a small gift and it may make her feel under a compliment. I think a thoughtful gift of max €25 would be appropriate. Like to what she likes and buy accordingly

While you have a good point about not overdoing it €50 isn't a big spend for allot of people and if they work in a job on €70k a year I don't think that kind of money would be awkward. Having said that I think a decent bottle of wine or bath set around the €20 mark will get the same point across but it's a lovely thought OP.

LynnGrace

It's a nice idea, OP, and it's good to have had someone like that around, when you needed them.
I'd suggest something like a big box of chocolates or a bottle of wine (or both). As previous posters have said, a voucher for €50 might leave her feeling under a compliment, or seem a bit OTT.

RoscommonTom

A present would be nicer, maybe a big bunch of flowers or some wine or clothes or the like

amdublin

A bottle of wine is always well received at xmas and other times I feel.

dudara

It's really thoughtful of you to say "Thank you" to this person, and I'm sure she'll appreciate it. Do you know if she has a hobby or interest where you can get a "targeted" gift? The bottle of wine is a nice suggestion as you can spend a decent amount on a bottle, but it wouldn't always be too obvious.

The main thing is to really get across the message that the gift is a thank you for the support she has given you over the last year. Try to convey that there is absolutely no expectation of reciprocation.

blatantrereg

bottle of wine or box of chocolates as suggested. Voucher is too impersonal and payment-like and might seem inappropriate. Clothes are too personal and difficult to select and might seem inappropriate. Wine and chocolates are typical "thank you" presents and would make a nice gesture.

skallywag

Unless someone knows exactly what I would like at that particular time then I would definitely be happiest myself with a voucher. The usual suspects such a flowers, chocs etc are fine of course, and while it's always nice to receive the same, it's nothing special and will be soon forgotten. On the otherhand I could use my 50 Euro voucher to get something which I really want.

I would not think a voucher inappropriate myself.

jester77

Not having a go at you OP, but it's a really awful Irish trait (I have not seen it elsewhere) that presents have to have some sort of monetary value or the appearance of such value where more often than not presents are either cash or a voucher. These sort of presents are void of any meaning or thoughtfulness and are imo very lazy.

Why not think about what she is into, what her hobbies are, what she likes to do after work, in her spare time and during her holidays. Get a little bit creative and put together something nice for her. It doesn't even need to be anything fancy, it's all about the thought. Something like a plate of home made xmas cookies, home made chocolates, something hand-made that she could put on the xmas tree and so on.

dixiefly

jester77 wrote: »

Not having a go at you OP, but it's a really awful Irish trait (I have not seen it elsewhere) that presents have to have some sort of monetary value or the appearance of such value where more often than not presents are either cash or a voucher. These sort of presents are void of any meaning or thoughtfulness and are imo very lazy.

Why not think about what she is into, what her hobbies are, what she likes to do after work, in her spare time and during her holidays. Get a little bit creative and put together something nice for her. It doesn't even need to be anything fancy, it's all about the thought. Something like a plate of home made xmas cookies, home made chocolates, something hand-made that she could put on the xmas tree and so on.

I dont agree and I dont think it is an Irish "trait".

Many of us are just so busy with getting through the day to day and getting things for families that a present like a voucher is the most practical.

jester77

dixiefly wrote: »

I dont agree and I dont think it is an Irish "trait".

Many of us are just so busy with getting through the day to day and getting things for families that a present like a voucher is the most practical.

You call it practical, I call it lazy. Is it really so hard to put aside an hour or 2 on the weekend for someone who went out of their way over the year to be helpful and supportive?

cactusgal

jester77 wrote: »

You call it practical, I call it lazy. Is it really so hard to put aside an hour or 2 on the weekend for someone who went out of their way over the year to be helpful and supportive?

I love vouchers. My favorite gift. I love walking around the shops myself, looking at lovely things, but not having to spend my own money. I think it's a very kind and thoughtful gesture, OP. I know I'd really appreciate it if I were your colleague!

skallywag

jester77 wrote: »

You call it practical, I call it lazy

Each to there own, I disagree completely with you. I love when people give me a voucher.

power pants

skallywag wrote: »

Each to there own, I disagree completely with you. I love when people give me a voucher.

It is not just an irish "trait", similar in the UK too. I don't think it is a trait either.

Many a person I have thought about buying a particular present for then decided against as I could be wrong or they might not like it

A voucher or money allows them to get something they want. By writing a nice card or note with the voucher the person gets the message too

and as someone else said, some people have less free time to set aside 2 hours to shop for a gift.

meeeeh

I am not a fan of vouchers myself. I get them sometimes because they are handy but I buy them for a specific shop/restaurant that I know recipient likes but wouldn't normally spend the money on. I don't mind if business supplier gives one for all vouchers but I wouldn't be overly impressed with that type of a voucher from a friend. It's better then just give money and a card and not pretend that you went through any more effort than popping to an atm.

But then it could be cultural thing and I am just not used to them.

Rebel1977

I got a one for all voucher as I know there are a few shops she likes that are on the one for all voucher list. Should I leave it on her desk or what would be best way

Stavro Mueller

No, I think it would be better to hand it to her in person and say that it's a little something for all the help she gave you during the year. Also I think it'd be a good idea to tell her in some way or other that you don't expect anything in return.

R.D. aka MR.D

i agree that you should somehow make it clear that you don't want anything in return.

I think it would be good to give it to her on the last day before xmas that you will see her.

If you give it earlier then she might feel obligated even though you say it.

Littlekittylou

Maybe a voucher for a beauty spa where there is a list she could choose a treatment or a massage? :-)

Rebel1977

Littlekittylou wrote: »

Maybe a voucher for a beauty spa where there is a list she could choose a treatment or a massage? :-)

Now I am in a quandry....a one for all voucher or a voucher for a beautician but maybe the beautician is too limited with one for all there is more choice ?

meeeeh

Imo you are not giving her spending money (and that is essentially what one for all vouchers are), you should think what would she like and give her voucher for that. Think what she would like but wouldn't necessarily spend money on. A present is supposed to be a treat.

Don Kedick

Is a beauticians not expensive? With the one for all you can give a nice present at a reasonable price. I know I'd prefer the one for all voucher but maybe the woman would prefer the beautician. Maybe a box of chocolates with the one for all voucher attached.

PinkLemonade

Personally I don't like one 4 all vouchers, because you can spend them anywhere they rarely get spent on a treat and feel impersonal, why not just give cash?

Beauticians or BT vouchers is how I'd go if I were you.

blatantrereg

Don Kedick wrote: »

Is a beauticians not expensive? With the one for all you can give a nice present at a reasonable price. I know I'd prefer the one for all voucher but maybe the woman would prefer the beautician. Maybe a box of chocolates with the one for all voucher attached.

I think that's a good idea too. If you want to be a bit more generous then attaching a voucher to chocolates would work - the chocolates would still indicate the appropriate context of saying thank you.

I would stick with the One4Alll voucher though (or amazon/tesco/other generic). Imo a guy giving a woman a voucher for a beautician expresses courtship, not thanks.

LynnGrace

I would stick with the one4all voucher, and leave it at that.

Rebel1977

A one for all voucher it is

RoscommonTom

The beauticians is a bit personal of you ask me, she might think hes trying to get his hands into her knickers, a one for all voucher or restaurant like other fellas have said would be best,

amdublin

Wine! A nice bottle of wine!

LynnGrace

amdublin wrote: »

Wine! A nice bottle of wine!

Yes, that was my suggestion also, and/ or a box of chocolates.
That is what I would appreciate, in this scenario, tbh.

Rebel1977

LynnGrace wrote: »

Yes, that was my suggestion also, and/ or a box of chocolates.
That is what I would appreciate, in this scenario, tbh.

Voucher and chocs is good combination.

Jenneke87

I would be careful with alcohol in case someone doesn't drink. I got one last year and had to give it away as I will never finish that bottle. I would say a voucher, flowers or something that is related to her hobby/after work activities.

Rebel1977

I have it all done now voucher and card bought and box of chocs for her kids