I’m guessing that every office has a different vibe. At my little one, all women, I gave homemade peanut brittle and have received a couple of cute homemade decorations that I put on my desk, a candle and a fancy homemade card. Nothing is expected. A bottle of wine would be very unexpected unless it was home bottled.
LI lac chocolate in NYC. The chocolate pretzels are delicious.
We have several local places that make their own jams, hot sauces, etc. all under $10. Does he have such a place?
In my daughter’s office they do small gift cards ($10) to local food places like starbucks.
When I’m stuck and don’t know the person, I get a microwaveable bowl and tie a bow,
then insert:
~4-6 packs of Pop Secret popcorn,
movie size licorice/thin mints/Mike and Ike,
and 2-4 tickets to AMC/Regal/Edwards theaters. (Costco has them too.)
No offense to your daughter’s office, but the whole swapping of chain gift cards amongst a group of people seems somewhat pointless.
How about Starbucks reusable mugs. They are about $30 each and they have a $5.00 off promotion. Trader Joes’s also has great treats, like popcorn and chocolate covered pretzels.
Go to Trader Joe’s or an olive oil store or a gourmet store. Buy a bottle of olive oil and wrap with paper twisting and ribbon. Or buy a jam from a gourmet store. wrap same. This is a young guy and it is truly about him being thoughtful not the actual price of the gift.
Agree with above—I wouldn’t spend more than $10/person on the gift.
$25 for a mug is a “small” gift that you’re going to give to multiple co-workers?
I think also when you give a gift is should be reflective of both the people you are giving the gift to - and you. For instance I don’t see my 27 year old son buying his co-workers a fancy wrapped consumable. Don’t see him giving a jar of jam. (nothing against it! It’s just not him!)
Your son should feel comfortable giving whatever he decides to give - if that makes sense.
I do think that is especially important in this particular workplace. He is truly the new guy in a very established environment. He needs to keep it low key, but thoughtful. I’ve passed along these great ideas. He’s working hard tonight so he’s unreachable. Tomorrow I’ll probably hear more about it.
We did a coffee mug exchange - we tried to find mugs that suited the personality of the recipient. Some use theirs as pencil holders on their desk (me) others added them to the kitchen cupboard in our office. It was fun and I doubt anyone spent more than $5
When you say “ writers room” do you mean in the entertainment industry? If so I think that requires a whole other level of thought. ( my niece works in one and it’s a very creative place where they give creative gifts). In any event, One idea building on the mug suggestion but making it thoughtful would be to get a mug with a ‘ “hometown” theme, assuming that like most nyc people they aren’t from there. For example.
Along the lines of @maya54’s great idea, I’ve given these as gifts and they’ve been very well received.
Yes, it is in the entertainment industry.
Given that it’s entertainment industry I would try to get some idea of price range. My nieces gifts are more expensive than i would have expected but that the culture of the industry ( but she’s in LA). I like the glassware @doschicos linked to. Those with my “hometown” theme are super cute. There’s also these https://www.amazon.com/Homesick-Mini-Scented-Candle-Florida/dp/B07L5G16H1/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2NVK8SIT8MHWC&keywords=homesick+candle+michigan&qid=1576672413&sprefix=Homesi%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTDQ2WUtYUjg3M1BQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjg0MDQyMUpBQzZVT0M5V0QxNiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDc0NDAyMkRNS1hMVUVNWTcwTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
OP, also while it might feel awkward I think it’s TOTALLY OK as a newbie for your son to ask a co-worker who he feels closer what extent this exchange is - does everyone do it? What is the gift $ range?
No harm in just asking a few questions! And then jumping in the spirit.
I agree, if I were the new employee, I’d ask about price range and past gifts folks really liked to get an idea of what’s suitable.
I’m pulling together growing kits of micro greens for friends. Planter, organic soil, seed packet(s). Inexpensive/ healthy.
(In your son’s shoes, I’d ask for examples of gifts given previous year),