Christmas parties and gifts

tasuinam

tasuinam

Well-Known Member
Apr 8, 2020
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Just pondering on a slow Thursday ....

Now that we are past the Covid bump - I am assuming many organizatiosn will be having Christmas / Winter / end of year parties and send out gifts to brokers and customers .... what are peoples thoughts on teh gifts / baskets?

I was talking to a friend - and this is what he said 'if I was not in the position I am in would you send me a gift?' if not then it's a bribe. My thoughts - just a way to say thank you for sending business our way .... does a fruit basket / gift /party invite / hockey box seats really influence who you would get to move your load?
 
I feel like gifting something that only the few can enjoy means you are treating the owner, VP, upper mgt and it may be construed as a bribe even though it's meant as a thank you.

You know the thing I always enjoyed most? Every year Polaris would send us a edible arrangement (fruits covered in chocolate) which was fantastic because every single person in the office could enjoy that, it was thoughtful, inclusive and super yummy! Something that everyone can enjoy, maybe a pizza party for your top 5-10 clients?

I know a lot of people are moving away from traditional cards, and call me old fashioned but a paper card signed by employees still means something in my oninion.

Keep well,
Mike
 
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I know that one of my favourite carriers "bribes" me with a box of Oranges. Always loved that - shareable, people can take them home and they aren't on Gaylen Westons price freeze list, so it's even more valuable this year. @MikeJr hit the nail on the head -shareable is key.
 
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When we receive gifts from our vendors, we keep everything and then raffle them off. Everyone in the company gets a ticket. If you wish to purchase more tickets you can and that $$ will go into either a social fund, or a 50/50 draw. There is still some items that do get scooped before they make it into the raffle room though. We get all sorts of items into the draw, jackets, gift cards, nuts, wine, even a vaccum!
 
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Well before Covid, we stopped providing "personalized" gifts to clients. We use a company that delivers chocolate-covered fruits to our clients on our behalf.

At the same token, I do not take personalized gifts from carriers. I would just ask them to make a donation in our company's name to the Sick Kids Foundation.

Win/Win scenario for everyone.
 
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dad2andrew said:
When we receive gifts from our vendors, we keep everything and then raffle them off. Everyone in the company gets a ticket. If you wish to purchase more tickets you can and that $$ will go into either a social fund, or a 50/50 draw. There is still some items that do get scooped before they make it into the raffle room though. We get all sorts of items into the draw, jackets, gift cards, nuts, wine, even a vaccum!
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love the raffle idea ... when I worked in healthcare in Chicago.... it was the best ... we did the same
 
Back when I was at my other company, we received a lot of gifts from carriers on Holiday times. But was all to Logistics and nothing to the ops. So I was keeping everything in my office, bought some more stuff as we didn't have enough for the whole office, then did a raffle for everyone including admin and IT and the guys at the garage. When they were picked, they were invited to come and choose anything that was available. Success was the whole team - not only Logistics or Ops. Everyone needed to be included. That way, no bribing of any sort.
 
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ML
Shakey said:
I couldn't agree more with @MikeJr , sending something for everyone to enjoy is the way to go.

More and more companies are pushing away gifts/lunches/dinners, think it will be interesting to see how that goes for sports teams over next decade.
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The MLSE is cringing at your post, and weighing their options on a cease and desist order.....
 
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I have noticed a significant decline in the number of companies handing out Xmas goodies. Sure there may be a package of calendars, pens and other assorted promo items, but the days of bottles of hooch, gigantic gift baskets, etc. seems to be a thing of the past. Interestingly however, a couple of much smaller suppliers, predominantly providing local service, still arrive in person a week or two before the holidays with either a bottle for each dispatcher or a substantial LCBO gift card. As far as our firm is concerned, we still send a large poinsettia to the offices our major clients, and hand signed Xmas cards to everyone. Our sales people also try and take a few clients out for a holiday lunch, but fewer and fewer of those it seems will accept the offer. Times are different for sure! Twenty years ago I could fill my liquor cabinet with Xmas gifts from our carrier friends.
 
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