Presents for the masses!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I think I have a rather unique problem.

At my LTC facility, I am the supervisor for approx 60 employees. This is my first Christmas working here. I was going to try to organize a gift exchange for my shift (11-7) but found out that the staff on each hall buys gifts for eachother. That's fine and dandy, but then also each one buys ME a present which means I need to buy something for them as well. I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY! I need ideas for inexpensive presents that don't seem like a cheap copout. what to do, what to do, what to do!

HELP!

Lori

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Cookie mix in a jar with a cute fabric top might work. There are recipes all over for things like that. It does take some time to put them all together though.

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Socks are always nice.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

Homemade cookies, but I do really like the idea of the cookie batter in a jar. You can make it look so neat when its layered!

I like to bake, so I make about 7 different types of cookies, and make up small trays or tins (dollar store) and hand those out. Yummy gifts are always nice.

Good luck :) You could also try instituting a 'coupon' or something-

ie: Good for one vent to the supervisor at any time!

ie: Good for one complaint about anything to anyone at anytime

Just as a little joke on the side, just something you could type up maybe.

I tried to think up good ones, but I did just get up so bear with me! I'm off to work now..

:nurse:

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Specializes in too many to remember.

I had 6 nurses and 15 aides to buy for last year as DON. I got those Yankee Candle Car Jar things you hang on your rearview mirror. They are about $2 each, tuck into a card well, and my staff loved them.

Chapstick and lotion work well too.

Harleygirl

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Bake something yummy, or variety of goodies and put together.

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Good luck :) You could also try instituting a 'coupon' or something-

ie: Good for one vent to the supervisor at any time!

ie: Good for one complaint about anything to anyone at anytime

Just as a little joke on the side, just something you could type up maybe.

I tried to think up good ones, but I did just get up so bear with me! I'm off to work now..

:nurse:

I LOVE this idea! An opportunity to vent without someone looking down on you because you were having a difficult day. A coupon to vent when venting is necessary. Not on the record, just vent time.

This is a great idea!

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Great ideas! It is SO hard when trying to buy for so many. How do I do the cookie dough thing?

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

http://www.meals.com/Recipes/RecipeDetails.aspx?RecipeID=32260

32260S.jpg

Or you can do small loaf cakes and wrap in kitchen towels and tie with thick yarn. Tuck a wooden spoon under the bow.

You can do soup mix just like the cookie mix.

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You know, I sent a PM but I think I'll put it out there for the whole world to see. Before I left for the military about five years ago, I worked as a nurse's aide. My charge nurse gave us all a big can of de-icer for Christmas. I don't know how handy that would be in Alabama Ms. Lori but in Illinois, that was the most practical and appreciated gift we received that year! It's not a pretty gift like those other wonderful ideas mentioned by the others, but personally, the de-icer was gone a lot faster than cookie dough would have been. No offense Ms. Cyberkat. I LOVE to bake too. But the de-icer was a life saver after getting off shift at 7AM. :)

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Pocu the de-icer idea is a great one, in line with that an ice scraper they usually only cost about 1.00 and are sooo useful, especially if you can't find it from last year, or use it so rarely (Southern girl here).

Also, my supervisors seem to usually give the small trial size lotions- you would make someones day from Avon if you bought the little lotions...I don't think they are very expensive either, and you can be sure the staff will be using them after so much washing of hands. I suppose fancy soap is also an options, but that is very expensive.

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You know, I sent a PM but I think I'll put it out there for the whole world to see. Before I left for the military about five years ago, I worked as a nurse's aide. My charge nurse gave us all a big can of de-icer for Christmas. I don't know how handy that would be in Alabama Ms. Lori but in Illinois, that was the most practical and appreciated gift we received that year! It's not a pretty gift like those other wonderful ideas mentioned by the others, but personally, the de-icer was gone a lot faster than cookie dough would have been. No offense Ms. Cyberkat. I LOVE to bake too. But the de-icer was a life saver after getting off shift at 7AM. :)

That was a wonderful idea! How smart of her :) . I'm in the very southernmost part of Alabama though, we might have frost a coupla times a season so it wouldn't be used as much... but that was SO smart of her!

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