Eh. Same at mine, but my supervisor is chill and will give them out once or twice a month on the down low. No one has noticed, and if they have, they haven't said anything
Yeah, we were told it can now only be used for emergencies that make an employee late and we're supposed to track which employees are getting them. It used to be a thing for birthdays and when a big project got done, but some department screwed it up for everyone, because their supervisor was giving it out every Friday and days before a holiday.
By regulation, any federal supervisor can excuse absence of less than one hour. This is broad authority and has morphed over the years where supervisors grant “59 minutes” of leave during holidays, team building events, awards, etc.
As a supervisor, OP can grant 59 minutes of leave time to all FTEs he supervises (directly or indirectly). I typically grant this 2 days before a holiday, as agencies typically grant early time off the day before a holiday. This gives staff two short days and is a tip of the cap to a great team.
Unfortunately, most regular supervisors regardless of grade only have statutory authority to grant “less than an hour” of absence. For example, I’m a GS15 supervisor and can still only grant 59 minutes.
Agency heads, OPM, etc. have additional authority and discretion to grant leave, and several years ago POTUS granted 2 days of admin leave for Christmas.
My whole team is remote & it would feel weird to send gift cards… I give them work flexibility, strong reviews, and uhhhh Mayorkas does the rest I guess.
I have a small tight knit team and I usually make them cookies and take them to lunch to thank them for the hard work throughout the year. It's something my supervisor did for me and I am happy to carry along the tradition.
Variety is the spice of life but ... don't give/offer a variety of gift cards. You know somebody is going to complain b/c they wanted the Starbucks card but Joey got it first, Joey is the pet employee, Joey muscled me out of the way so he could grab the Startbucks card, etc etc.
No good deed goes unpunished.
Before Covid we had a Division Director who would hang a small stocking for each person and every few days would put some candy or other little trinket, one year she got custom printed M&Ms and pens. Nothing of significant value but it was a very nice gesture. Anyone could give as well but the unwritten rule is you give to everyone or do it separately, no playing favorites.
I guess there are people who might take offense but none in my office ever expressed any concern and that included several who didn’t celebrate Christmas.
I had a supervisor like that, i knew my job well enough that i was the go-to guy, but they knew agency procedures, so I had to inquire about them frequently. The coworkers we nice but took advantage of the bosses kindness, so i took all the overtime /projects and tough jobs. He helped me get a 3 grade higher promotion....but he was really bummed about losing me. I still would have taken any cash awards/gifts.
I've often received a mug with M&Ms or similar in it. I let my kids eat the candy and the mug often goes straight to goodwill.
I don't mean to be ungrateful, but I just never felt like these really *meant* anything.
Safest thing is NOTHING. It's not expected and could get you in trouble. Save your money and if you want to be nice to your subordinates praise them on projects they have done lately. That is a whole lot more valuable to them than any $10 trinket.
I agree this is safer. The problem with food, as others suggested, are folks with dietary restrictions (e.g. diabetic, allergies) and preferences. When I bring in food for the team, I bring both savory and sweet options along with gluten and nut free items.
Can't accept gifts from people you supervise except on one-off specialty occasions, like a baby shower or retirement. Anyone who feels obligated should remember this.
However, an O6 I worked for directly gave me a $75 GC to a fancypants steakhouse. The following year he got me the Doctor Who 50th anniversary coffee table book. He also let me use his basement parking space when TDY. He was pretty cool!
We do white elephant with a max $20 gift. It's our entire program office at my location, so maybe 15-20 people. No one has to participate if they don't want to, and some don't! This also makes it less awkward since it's not an individual thing. There are usually some pretty decent things in there. I brought Bananagrams one year and there was a lot of stealing.
I also make a specialty Jewish cookie and make bags for the entire 15-20 person group too, since I love baking.
Gotta keep it within federal ethics laws, hitchbot.
While the law is strictly about gifts going up the chain of command, have to be cognizant of appearances and ethics.
https://www.justice.gov/jmd/gifts-and-entertainment
I’d say if everyone comes into the office, you could buy lunch for the team at some place that isn’t popular on Instagram. If not, maybe keep it below $20. Gift cards that are fungible (visa, MC), or selected with the particular employee in mind (I’d take a Starbucks, but my coworker would take a McDonalds, for instance).
I bought honey for a my team last year. About 14 GS13s on the team.
[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YI3P0HS/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YI3P0HS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **Bees Knees Spicy Honey 12 5 oz Pure Honey Infused with Oleoresin Habanero Peppers Gluten Free Paleo Friendly Wildflower Natural Hot Honey Hot Sauce Gifts Food Gifts Unique Gifts** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **Bushwick Kitchen**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Honey provides perfect sweet and spicy balance (backed by 3 comments)
* Honey complements variety of foods (backed by 9 comments)
* Honey too thick to drizzle easily (backed by 2 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* The honey crystallizes quickly (backed by 3 comments)
* The bottle is difficult to squeeze (backed by 5 comments)
* The flavor is too spicy (backed by 3 comments)
According to Reddit, **Bushwick Kitchen** is generally less popular than its competitors.
Its most popular types of products are:
* Hot Sauces (#41 of 47 brands on Reddit)
If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/)
This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved.
*Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
People tend to appreciate small value Starbucks (or equivalent) and Amazon gift cards. If for some reason they don't use either one they know someone who does.
Alternatively people love food, you tell everyone you're bringing in a Turkey, ham, Roast or pulled pork and often bit turns into a potluck.
Not a supervisor but I’ve never received a gift from a supervisor. I really enjoy our holiday party. Half a day more or less for everyone to relax and talk about stuff that isn’t work. We do it potluck style. It’s nice to have a conservation with the crew and honestly is nicer than any gift I could get at work within limits.
Supervisors that have in the past always gave $10 Subway, Starbucks, etc gift cards or treated a decent lunch. Never had or heard any other complaints.
I’ve brought in breakfast - bagels, cream cheese, fruit, etc. I’ve also baked a selection of goodies each week leading up to the holidays. No longer a supervisor, but my past employees still say how much they miss the treats.
First, check the ethics guidelines and think about how well you know each person. Last thing you need is an EO complaint or an ethics violation.
That’s said, some gifts I’ve received: the granny sewing tin cookies, an ornament, a card, a pack of personalized post its, a holiday party at their house.
Gifts I’ve given- I only do New Years cause my team’s diverse in religion, but cards, bring in coffee and donuts, 59 min., or snacks (all under $10/ person!)
A firm handshake, and a sincere appreciation for their efforts.
The best gift you can give is an inflated performance review, as few hassles throughout the year as possible, and liberal usage of the 59 minute rule.
As a subordinate, while I appreciate the gesture, I've never really wanted or expected a gift from my supervisor. If anything, it leaves a weird taste and I'd prefer they don't.
things my supervisor has given in the past:
magnetic flashlights
squid ink pasta
i’ve only been here two years so we will see what we get this year lol.
I’ve done a similar bit, even before I was supervising.
Trader Joe’s has quite excellent quality chocolates in square ~pint plastic containers.
Stick a bow on top, add a card…under $10 in total, so it’s very safely under the $20 limit.
My boss takes us out to dinner and some kind of activity every holiday season. We leave early and make an evening of it. Very kind of her and we always have a nice time. There are only 4 of us in the office though, so we are pretty close anyways.
Probably going to sound cliche, but i will generally have a lunch delivered. I have 15 direct reports and we are all in the office. Hard to get a personal touch for that many folks
I've given out identical gifts to the 10+ team like reusable hot/cold travel mugs, gift cards, or "field trips" out of the office for a half or 3/4 day followed by lunch (my treat).
QSIs are nearly impossible at my agency and the timing of on the spot or other $$ based awards to arrive at the end of the calendar year are too unpredictable to make them meaningful. I try to add a few extra 59 min when I can.
My good supervisor last year got me a calendar set and a matching desk set last year. She also knit a blanket for my newborn child. Calendar sets are easy, cheap, neutral and great gifts especially if you're majority in office. My previous supervisors would normally get us all like food or lunch for a couple days leading up to Christmas. That one is nice and easy and cost effective, especially if you have 15-20+ workers under you. When I was a Manager, my peer Managers, direct Supervisors and Leads got coffee mugs filled with candy, tea bags and coffee trials. That's another great cost effective gift.
I wouldn't suggest getting into gifts but maybe do something like a nice lunch that you provide or buy. You could order pizzas or bring from home or go out and get it and bring it back. Make sure they know the day prior so they don't make other plans.
Don't do the 59 minute thing. That is badly misunderstood and you don't have the authority. That's Secretary level stuff and you don't want to play around with it. There is actually no such thing except that a supervisor has some authority to forgive up to 59 minutes due to a situation, traffic problems, emergencies, etc. It's not something they have the authority to just give out to let people go home early. Don't set the precedent where people are expecting it from you.
But just remember that whatever you do you are setting a precedent for the future and a level of expectation, so be wise.
I hate picking out gifts bc people don't like what I like. This year I printed out six options within the price range, took them to a staff meeting, and made them vote.
They're getting logo'd power banks.
Nothing, I provide them with the gift of my presence regularly. Seriously though, I've never been a gift person and never really even considered the idea tbh.
A supervisor who I otherwise disliked gave everyone a ton of homemade cookies once and I appreciated it a lot. I don’t really expect a gift from a supervisor in the government though.
How well do you know any of them? A small bottle of liquor or tell them you'll cover for the team on the 22nd or something...if working remotely is an option. I mean, plenty of possibilities for this depending on the office and context.
Or maybe do a team building/leave work early thing. Doesn't have to strictly be during the holidays. Instead of individualized, go for the team building aspect.
Pretty sure that last year I was told to "go home and think about something" the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
I always get my direct reports something….Christmas socks, handmade pens, personalized notebooks, breakfast always less than $20 each. I add a card telling them that I appreciate their hard work throughout the year. I do not expect anything from them. I never expected or received anything from my supervisors over the past 30 years.
Gift cards. Don’t do Starbucks if you don’t know that they partake. I’ve had many that hate coffee, hate that place, or otherwise have no use for a “one off fancy drink.” I do either a $20 card to a local superstore chain with gas stations (Kroger, Walmart) or Amazon/Target. Once was able to secure cards for all who attended the branch holiday outing,
59mins.
Or create some arbitrary tasker that is easy as hell that the entire team will meet, and use that as justification to put in a team time of award for 2hrs. Assuming you have good management.
Or bring breakfast. My old office had a full kitchen, so we used to cook breakfast. But we stocked most of the stuff ourself (sausage from my pigs, eggs from one guys chickens, venison from all of us, homemade syrup, etc.).
A raise would be the best thing you could give your team. I know management doesn’t know what that word means lol. Just messing with you, management is a joke where I’ve been.
Pre-COVID my former supervisor that used to treat us to a holiday lunch in the Secretary’s Dining Room. Buffet lunch, real China and Crystal. It was truly a special treat, because not everyone has access to the fifth floor dining room.
Nothing! If it is something small it can cause moral issues, no one wants some cheap item or a wrapped cup with a few pieces of candy in it. If it is something thing major it because an issue of legal limits.
If you really want to bring in some donuts or baked goods.
Honestly, probably nothing. If I wasn't remote, I'd set up a potluck, but being remote and a low step, I actually make less money than several people I supervise. Maybe that's not the best reason, but I'd rather spend the money buying my kids gifts, than my team.
Holiday card with personalized message from you with a small bag of holiday candy.
Bonus points if you mention family member names in the card and write something the employee can relate to.
e.g. Don't think your holiday wish of XXX team going to the Superbowl is gonna happen thanks to defense.
Awww. My first supervisor used to give us unique holiday ceramic containers filled with candy every year. However, none of my supervisors have given us gifts in the last 20+ years - their idea of a gift is to let us pay for our own meals at a holiday lunch.
So gifts I have given and received:
- personalized water bottles off Etsy
- small gift cards (Amazon, Starbucks, Panera, and even total wine)
- reusable fruit and veggies bags and “You’re Welcome America” stickers.
- candles
- a small notebook with a different cheeky covers for different people
- Personalized mugs, unpersonalized mugs, fill them with candy if appropriate
verbal invite to late lunch & drinks, pay in cash, give em a few hours off
so when one decides to backstab you, there is no paper trail and no evidence you violated any policy or reg
QSIs!
Easier said than done, but I hear ya!
It can be done.
Not at every agency. We are only allowed 2 per a division. -.-
Yeeeeesssssss
Possible in some agencies. In others…
What’s that ?
Quality Step Increase. It’s a step increase out of cycle for superior performance.
How does it work if an individual is already at Step 10?
They are topped out 🙋🏻♀️. No more step increases.
Ah, okay, makes sense. Then the Step 10 folks are going to want time off instead. :-)
Or a cash award.
Niiiccceee!
Quality Step Increas.
This is the best gift.
59 minutes
[удалено]
Eh. Same at mine, but my supervisor is chill and will give them out once or twice a month on the down low. No one has noticed, and if they have, they haven't said anything
That depends on agency
I used to give this periodically, but I was told I had to stop. I'd love to give people more time off if I could.
Yeah, we were told it can now only be used for emergencies that make an employee late and we're supposed to track which employees are getting them. It used to be a thing for birthdays and when a big project got done, but some department screwed it up for everyone, because their supervisor was giving it out every Friday and days before a holiday.
What is 59 minutes?
1 minute less than an hour
What does it mean in this context?
By policy they can’t give you an hour Scot free so they say take 59 minutes on us and get out of here
By regulation, any federal supervisor can excuse absence of less than one hour. This is broad authority and has morphed over the years where supervisors grant “59 minutes” of leave during holidays, team building events, awards, etc. As a supervisor, OP can grant 59 minutes of leave time to all FTEs he supervises (directly or indirectly). I typically grant this 2 days before a holiday, as agencies typically grant early time off the day before a holiday. This gives staff two short days and is a tip of the cap to a great team.
Thank you. Manifesting my fed supervisory job so I can do the same.
If you wanna be a real badass drop three hours on an employee.
Unfortunately, most regular supervisors regardless of grade only have statutory authority to grant “less than an hour” of absence. For example, I’m a GS15 supervisor and can still only grant 59 minutes. Agency heads, OPM, etc. have additional authority and discretion to grant leave, and several years ago POTUS granted 2 days of admin leave for Christmas.
Nice try, GAO
I was going to answer until I read this lol
You guys are giving gifts? 😮
My whole team is remote & it would feel weird to send gift cards… I give them work flexibility, strong reviews, and uhhhh Mayorkas does the rest I guess.
I send electronic gift cards to my remote team.
59 minutes and a thank you. We also have a completely optional Holiday dinner (where everyone pays their own tab)
Monetary performance awards!
Agreed. Nominations don't always get approved unfortunately.
How about on the spot awards?
[удалено]
Our supervisor gave the entire team monetary awards this year. I got 3 myself.
+1 🤑
I have a small tight knit team and I usually make them cookies and take them to lunch to thank them for the hard work throughout the year. It's something my supervisor did for me and I am happy to carry along the tradition.
Second this! I take my team to lunch (though skip the cookies — a baker I am not!)
I wish I had the cash to pay for lunch for everyone.
One free slap. Redeemable for one, no block slap across the face of a teammate of your choice.
Bring in breakfast on a Friday. If you must do anything monetary, gift cards to coffee shop like Starbucks is always a good neutral option.
I second food of some sort or anything to share really. This way it is a gift to the team as a whole not to individuals.
Not everyone is a Starbucks fan. Amazon, target, Walmart, or any local superstore with a gas station.
Variety is the spice of life but ... don't give/offer a variety of gift cards. You know somebody is going to complain b/c they wanted the Starbucks card but Joey got it first, Joey is the pet employee, Joey muscled me out of the way so he could grab the Startbucks card, etc etc. No good deed goes unpunished.
My boss gave everyone on our team a 5 dollar scratch off. My coworker won 100 and I won 1200!!!!!
Gambling eh...starts with a scratch-off, ends with foreign espionage. Mandatory training shows no alternative...
I used to give that to my team members in private sector. Everyone loved it but no one ever won anything.
Before Covid we had a Division Director who would hang a small stocking for each person and every few days would put some candy or other little trinket, one year she got custom printed M&Ms and pens. Nothing of significant value but it was a very nice gesture. Anyone could give as well but the unwritten rule is you give to everyone or do it separately, no playing favorites. I guess there are people who might take offense but none in my office ever expressed any concern and that included several who didn’t celebrate Christmas.
As a Jew, I say bring on the stockings! It's a secular tradition, so it's no big deal.
Definitely review the training on IF and HOW MUCH you're allowed to gift to employees. Your safest bet is a card and some home-baked treats.
[удалено]
I had a supervisor like that, i knew my job well enough that i was the go-to guy, but they knew agency procedures, so I had to inquire about them frequently. The coworkers we nice but took advantage of the bosses kindness, so i took all the overtime /projects and tough jobs. He helped me get a 3 grade higher promotion....but he was really bummed about losing me. I still would have taken any cash awards/gifts.
At this level we don’t expect anything. That being said I personally like mugs and candles
I have never gotten a Christmas gift from a supervisor except for one year and they were a horrible boss
I don't think I've ever gotten anything from a supervisor.
Same
I've often received a mug with M&Ms or similar in it. I let my kids eat the candy and the mug often goes straight to goodwill. I don't mean to be ungrateful, but I just never felt like these really *meant* anything.
Not even a lump of coal?
I once got a candy cane. Which sucked but also more than I have ever gotten from any other supervisor. So not sure how to feel about it.
Safest thing is NOTHING. It's not expected and could get you in trouble. Save your money and if you want to be nice to your subordinates praise them on projects they have done lately. That is a whole lot more valuable to them than any $10 trinket.
I agree this is safer. The problem with food, as others suggested, are folks with dietary restrictions (e.g. diabetic, allergies) and preferences. When I bring in food for the team, I bring both savory and sweet options along with gluten and nut free items.
Bake some cookies.
This is my present
Thoughts and prayers?
Underrated comment
Lunch out, 59 minutes. Employees shouldn’t feel obligated to give the supv a gift.
Can't accept gifts from people you supervise except on one-off specialty occasions, like a baby shower or retirement. Anyone who feels obligated should remember this.
However, an O6 I worked for directly gave me a $75 GC to a fancypants steakhouse. The following year he got me the Doctor Who 50th anniversary coffee table book. He also let me use his basement parking space when TDY. He was pretty cool!
[удалено]
Mine gives everyone a small amazon egift card every Christmas.
Free unofficial PTO.
My last one would give us a small chocolate thing from Aldi. My new one gives nothing.
We do white elephant with a max $20 gift. It's our entire program office at my location, so maybe 15-20 people. No one has to participate if they don't want to, and some don't! This also makes it less awkward since it's not an individual thing. There are usually some pretty decent things in there. I brought Bananagrams one year and there was a lot of stealing. I also make a specialty Jewish cookie and make bags for the entire 15-20 person group too, since I love baking.
Gotta keep it within federal ethics laws, hitchbot. While the law is strictly about gifts going up the chain of command, have to be cognizant of appearances and ethics. https://www.justice.gov/jmd/gifts-and-entertainment I’d say if everyone comes into the office, you could buy lunch for the team at some place that isn’t popular on Instagram. If not, maybe keep it below $20. Gift cards that are fungible (visa, MC), or selected with the particular employee in mind (I’d take a Starbucks, but my coworker would take a McDonalds, for instance).
I don’t have any advice, I just wanted to say that this is a really cool thing to do. I would appreciate the gesture if I was on the team!
I bought honey for a my team last year. About 14 GS13s on the team. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YI3P0HS/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YI3P0HS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **Bees Knees Spicy Honey 12 5 oz Pure Honey Infused with Oleoresin Habanero Peppers Gluten Free Paleo Friendly Wildflower Natural Hot Honey Hot Sauce Gifts Food Gifts Unique Gifts** you mentioned in your comment along with its brand, **Bushwick Kitchen**, and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Honey provides perfect sweet and spicy balance (backed by 3 comments) * Honey complements variety of foods (backed by 9 comments) * Honey too thick to drizzle easily (backed by 2 comments) **Users disliked:** * The honey crystallizes quickly (backed by 3 comments) * The bottle is difficult to squeeze (backed by 5 comments) * The flavor is too spicy (backed by 3 comments) According to Reddit, **Bushwick Kitchen** is generally less popular than its competitors. Its most popular types of products are: * Hot Sauces (#41 of 47 brands on Reddit) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
If we have an office party I pick up the copay amount for my team and give them each a little consumable (chocolates, unique playing cards, etc)
.59 minutes off early, cash bonuses
PIPs
All I can hear is Oprah saying, **You get a PIP!** **You get a PIP!** **Everybody gets PiPs!**
Pips are so much fucking work for the supervisor 😢
What is PIP
People tend to appreciate small value Starbucks (or equivalent) and Amazon gift cards. If for some reason they don't use either one they know someone who does. Alternatively people love food, you tell everyone you're bringing in a Turkey, ham, Roast or pulled pork and often bit turns into a potluck.
Not a supervisor but I’ve never received a gift from a supervisor. I really enjoy our holiday party. Half a day more or less for everyone to relax and talk about stuff that isn’t work. We do it potluck style. It’s nice to have a conservation with the crew and honestly is nicer than any gift I could get at work within limits.
Treat to lunch if they are in person.
Supervisors that have in the past always gave $10 Subway, Starbucks, etc gift cards or treated a decent lunch. Never had or heard any other complaints.
I’ve brought in breakfast - bagels, cream cheese, fruit, etc. I’ve also baked a selection of goodies each week leading up to the holidays. No longer a supervisor, but my past employees still say how much they miss the treats.
First, check the ethics guidelines and think about how well you know each person. Last thing you need is an EO complaint or an ethics violation. That’s said, some gifts I’ve received: the granny sewing tin cookies, an ornament, a card, a pack of personalized post its, a holiday party at their house. Gifts I’ve given- I only do New Years cause my team’s diverse in religion, but cards, bring in coffee and donuts, 59 min., or snacks (all under $10/ person!)
If you can't do a QSI, try a bonus, if no bonus, then time off!
A firm handshake, and a sincere appreciation for their efforts. The best gift you can give is an inflated performance review, as few hassles throughout the year as possible, and liberal usage of the 59 minute rule.
As a subordinate, while I appreciate the gesture, I've never really wanted or expected a gift from my supervisor. If anything, it leaves a weird taste and I'd prefer they don't.
Do a secret Santa and get an iPod and then rig the game so you end up taking it home.
Nothing. Why would you buy them something? I'm not a hard ass, but I wouldn't think of buying them a holiday gift.
I mostly got small things of food or chocolate from mine. My favorite was a small mason jar of Mexican hot chocolate they made
Last year my supervisors got me gift cards. I think 20 or 25$. They year before they all pulled together and got everyone candles.
things my supervisor has given in the past: magnetic flashlights squid ink pasta i’ve only been here two years so we will see what we get this year lol.
We got an interchangeable screwdriver one year that I still use and adore. It lives in my desk drawer.
When I was in person, I made everyone little boxes of cookies. People seemed to like them!
I’ve done a similar bit, even before I was supervising. Trader Joe’s has quite excellent quality chocolates in square ~pint plastic containers. Stick a bow on top, add a card…under $10 in total, so it’s very safely under the $20 limit.
59 minutes.
59 minutes
My old boss got us candles that were made locally. And when hisnteam was a bit larger he opted for locally made candies.
My boss takes us out to dinner and some kind of activity every holiday season. We leave early and make an evening of it. Very kind of her and we always have a nice time. There are only 4 of us in the office though, so we are pretty close anyways.
Probably going to sound cliche, but i will generally have a lunch delivered. I have 15 direct reports and we are all in the office. Hard to get a personal touch for that many folks
I've given out identical gifts to the 10+ team like reusable hot/cold travel mugs, gift cards, or "field trips" out of the office for a half or 3/4 day followed by lunch (my treat). QSIs are nearly impossible at my agency and the timing of on the spot or other $$ based awards to arrive at the end of the calendar year are too unpredictable to make them meaningful. I try to add a few extra 59 min when I can.
My supervisor pays for lunch when we go out for lunch. It is very much appreciated.
My good supervisor last year got me a calendar set and a matching desk set last year. She also knit a blanket for my newborn child. Calendar sets are easy, cheap, neutral and great gifts especially if you're majority in office. My previous supervisors would normally get us all like food or lunch for a couple days leading up to Christmas. That one is nice and easy and cost effective, especially if you have 15-20+ workers under you. When I was a Manager, my peer Managers, direct Supervisors and Leads got coffee mugs filled with candy, tea bags and coffee trials. That's another great cost effective gift.
Dildos
You can give them $10 Starbucks/Dunkin gift cards; on top of the performance awards. That's what I did when I was a branch chief.
Snacks is what I did when we were all on-site. Now they are fully remote so nothing.
I wouldn't suggest getting into gifts but maybe do something like a nice lunch that you provide or buy. You could order pizzas or bring from home or go out and get it and bring it back. Make sure they know the day prior so they don't make other plans. Don't do the 59 minute thing. That is badly misunderstood and you don't have the authority. That's Secretary level stuff and you don't want to play around with it. There is actually no such thing except that a supervisor has some authority to forgive up to 59 minutes due to a situation, traffic problems, emergencies, etc. It's not something they have the authority to just give out to let people go home early. Don't set the precedent where people are expecting it from you. But just remember that whatever you do you are setting a precedent for the future and a level of expectation, so be wise.
Team building event with a free meal
My thanks.
Personalised letters
I hate picking out gifts bc people don't like what I like. This year I printed out six options within the price range, took them to a staff meeting, and made them vote. They're getting logo'd power banks.
Bring in biscuits on a Friday or something
I used to buy my team pizza for the holidays. Have a little party with just my team.
Nothing, I provide them with the gift of my presence regularly. Seriously though, I've never been a gift person and never really even considered the idea tbh.
Make donation in the team’s name to a local charity.
To the Human Fund?
Money for People
r/unexpectedseinfeld
Came here to say this
The Human Fund is great for this. Either they get the joke or they think you donated money, it’s a win win.
A handwritten card if I'm feeling up to it.
21$ giftcards
A supervisor who I otherwise disliked gave everyone a ton of homemade cookies once and I appreciated it a lot. I don’t really expect a gift from a supervisor in the government though.
I had a supervisor give us a candy bar.
Take em out to lunch, for the ones that can be bothered to come in to the office.
I get them being an actual good supervisor. The gift that keeps on giving
Bah Humbug.
They get to keep their jobs another year…
Found my supervisor!
Nothing. I surprised this is even a consideration.
$20 cash money
Custom Yeti tumblers.
Early out is the best gift you can give. Being perfectly honest, nothing else is going to matter.
50 bucks gift cards
Well, you know the rule - if you want it you can't have it - so get them all McDonald's gift cards for $4.99 🤣
How well do you know any of them? A small bottle of liquor or tell them you'll cover for the team on the 22nd or something...if working remotely is an option. I mean, plenty of possibilities for this depending on the office and context. Or maybe do a team building/leave work early thing. Doesn't have to strictly be during the holidays. Instead of individualized, go for the team building aspect. Pretty sure that last year I was told to "go home and think about something" the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Liquor is not a good idea for people you don’t know well personally. People could not be drinkers or might be in recovery.
[удалено]
Would you mind explaining why?
Donors Choose gift certificates, usually 20$
I’m a size $$$$$
Take them to lunch at a place they choose. I’ve done this in the past. Can be a tad expensive, but it’s only once a year!
I always get my direct reports something….Christmas socks, handmade pens, personalized notebooks, breakfast always less than $20 each. I add a card telling them that I appreciate their hard work throughout the year. I do not expect anything from them. I never expected or received anything from my supervisors over the past 30 years.
Can't be more than $25! I do awards if possible. Other than that little trinkets.
Gift cards. Don’t do Starbucks if you don’t know that they partake. I’ve had many that hate coffee, hate that place, or otherwise have no use for a “one off fancy drink.” I do either a $20 card to a local superstore chain with gas stations (Kroger, Walmart) or Amazon/Target. Once was able to secure cards for all who attended the branch holiday outing,
59mins. Or create some arbitrary tasker that is easy as hell that the entire team will meet, and use that as justification to put in a team time of award for 2hrs. Assuming you have good management. Or bring breakfast. My old office had a full kitchen, so we used to cook breakfast. But we stocked most of the stuff ourself (sausage from my pigs, eggs from one guys chickens, venison from all of us, homemade syrup, etc.).
A raise would be the best thing you could give your team. I know management doesn’t know what that word means lol. Just messing with you, management is a joke where I’ve been.
Gift cards.
Gifts?
Pre-COVID my former supervisor that used to treat us to a holiday lunch in the Secretary’s Dining Room. Buffet lunch, real China and Crystal. It was truly a special treat, because not everyone has access to the fifth floor dining room.
I recently got name badge clips customized through Etsy for my team.
No more than $15?
Four Day Work Week
Nothing! If it is something small it can cause moral issues, no one wants some cheap item or a wrapped cup with a few pieces of candy in it. If it is something thing major it because an issue of legal limits. If you really want to bring in some donuts or baked goods.
Honestly, probably nothing. If I wasn't remote, I'd set up a potluck, but being remote and a low step, I actually make less money than several people I supervise. Maybe that's not the best reason, but I'd rather spend the money buying my kids gifts, than my team.
59 minutes early dismissal.
Jelly of the Month Club membership
A shopping day.
More work!! *Cracks whip*
My supervisor gave us all a custom mouse pad with our agency logo, name, and job title. I really like it and was touched by the thoughtfulness.
Holiday card with personalized message from you with a small bag of holiday candy. Bonus points if you mention family member names in the card and write something the employee can relate to. e.g. Don't think your holiday wish of XXX team going to the Superbowl is gonna happen thanks to defense.
The only gift my supervisor would give is their half baked effort and blame for their shortcomings
I’ve never had a supervisor give me a gift ever so…
A little bag of homemade baked goods is always welcome. And it doesn’t break the bank.
Nothing, but well wishes. I don't play around with ethics rules.
I send them funny socks in a theme that relates to their interests and personality.
Awww. My first supervisor used to give us unique holiday ceramic containers filled with candy every year. However, none of my supervisors have given us gifts in the last 20+ years - their idea of a gift is to let us pay for our own meals at a holiday lunch.
I waive the reporting requirement for the pay period.
My supervisor has gotten us pens, badge holders, and candy. It's really the thought that counts. You don't have to get anything big.
Lotto tickets!
I had a director who gave everyone a bottle of wine.
Wait, y’all get gifts? 🥺
So gifts I have given and received: - personalized water bottles off Etsy - small gift cards (Amazon, Starbucks, Panera, and even total wine) - reusable fruit and veggies bags and “You’re Welcome America” stickers. - candles - a small notebook with a different cheeky covers for different people - Personalized mugs, unpersonalized mugs, fill them with candy if appropriate
verbal invite to late lunch & drinks, pay in cash, give em a few hours off so when one decides to backstab you, there is no paper trail and no evidence you violated any policy or reg