Holiday gifts for fellow floor nurses

[KHT]

It's my first year as a floor nurse and with the holidays approaching, I'd like to get something for the staff on my unit. I'm struggling though with ideas that won't totally make me go broke ... especially because I don't want to exclude anyone on my shift (including the nursing attendants). They have all helped me during this time to grow and learn (regardless of whether it was through good or bad experiences). If anyone has any ideas they would like to share, I'd so appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

[vanilla bean]

I don't buy or make individual gifts for my team; I get a group gift that I can leave in the break room. My go-to gifts are to either make christmas/holiday/winter themed cookies or to buy something good for a large group of people from Costco.

[KHT]

That's actually a great idea since everyone can enjoy it!!!

[quazar]

Things my coworkers bring that I love the most are either home cooked baked goods that are in individual portion sizes (read: grab and go, no cutting required), industrial size bottles of flavored coffee creamer that have pump dispensers, coffee, chocolate of any kind, and of course, more coffee. Vanilla Bean has the best idea: giant box of something from Costco that the unit can share/that they need.

[poopylala, BSN, RN]

For Halloween, I decorated the break room and brought little goodie bags for the higher ups and then brought candy in a giant pumpkin for everyone.

For thanksgiving, I decorated the employee bulletin board with a tree and had staff write on foam leaves what they were thankful for and put it up on the tree to all enjoy.

For christmas, I'm changing the tree to be a bunch of coffee cups a la Starbucks with a cardboard cup holder that has their name on it and then I'll put stockings all around the unit, one for each person (from housekeeping up through our docs) and fill them with candy canes and other inexpensive little goodies.

I figure by doing something highly visible, it not only makes everyone feel involved and proud but also is a reminder that we're all important.

[Wuzzie]

If you have kids have them make ornaments for your co-workers. I love it when mine do. I'll admit when the season is over I don't usually keep them (otherwise I'd be drowning in macaroni angels) but I really enjoy them because they are so cute and usually so heartfelt. Note to my co-workers. If they have your child's picture on them I don't throw those away! :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Hang on there a minute before you get carried away with the Christmas spirit. Make sure to review any relevant policies on gift-giving just to make sure you don't accidentally violate some cockamamie rules (you'd be surprised at some of the strange ones). Assess the culture of your work group - if they already have some valued traditions in place like 'Secret Santa', you don't want to rock the boat. Also, make sure that gifting &/or other Christmas observance would not be perceived as offensive... you may have co-workers who are not Christian or have alternative beliefs in this regard. Trust me, I've personally stumbled on all of these issues in the past.

All in all, food is usually the best option. Just make sure that there's enough for everyone

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Food is always welcome, accepted by most faiths, and your coworkers wont feel pressured to reciprocate. You could do it on multiple nights so you catch everyone.

[Sour Lemon]

I agree with some others that personal gifts are a no-go. If you're close enough to buy a personal gift for someone you work with, you should also see them outside of work and give it to them there. While it's nice not to want to exclude anyone with nice personal gifts, it's not so nice to create a feeling of obligation that they must give you a gift, as well ....particularly for employees who make much less $$$ than you do. Go with the big tin of cookies or tub of candy.