How Can We Find Meaningful Gifts for a 40-Member Team with a Rs. 500 Budget?

Dear Friends,

I need your help. We have a Diwali Competition, and the winners consist of a team of around 40 members with a total budget of Rs. 500. Last time when we had such an event, we had given a trophy. However, this time we thought we should give something useful for all of them, i.e., maybe like Rs. 500/40. So, I need your suggestions on what kind of gifts can be given in such a case.

Waiting for replies...

Regards,
Amith R.

Hi,

You mean to say you need to divide Rs. 500 amongst 40 winners... That sounds difficult... Well, in that case, you can opt for some certificates, key chains, or some desktop items. You can even choose some congratulations cards prepared by CRY or some other NGOs; by doing this, you can even relate this to a noble cause. As the amount is too low, you have very few options to choose from... Maybe others can help you in a better way.

Regards,
Kanupriya

Hi Amith,

You can give Buffet Lunch coupons for couples, mugs, chocolate box, jackets with the company's name printed on them, sweets packets, and gold coins weighing 10gms to 15gms.

Regards,
Rachna

Hi Hetal,
Thanks a lot for your cute reply. As you have mentioned, it is a small amount, and I do have an option of talking to my management to increase the budget, which I want to do after getting a few ideas from my Cite HR friends. Let me also tell you we have some other competition during Diwali, and I can easily manage the budget.

But concerning the idea of doing it 500/40, let me tell you I want to do this in the interest of employees who should not feel the gift is something they have kept in the office and not for their use. I hope you have got my point.

I am not here to let my company down; instead, I am looking forward to protecting the interests of employees.

Regards,
Amith R.

Hi Amith,

A small pack of diyas (a set of 6 with a glittery design) is a better idea. It will cost around 15 to 20 Rs.

Hi Amith,

You can try some beautiful keychains, small Chinese wallets (Rs. 10 each), some stationery items, a small notepad, a small telephone diary, artificial flowers, a torch, chocolates, and a fancy pen set.

Likewise, there are many such things that you can buy at 10 - 12 rupees, but for that, someone from your end has to go to a local market and check what is really available at that price.

Sapana

Well, in my opinion, you should not just give this team of 40 anything because something worth $12.50 would not be very exciting for them to use. In turn, it can also demoralize them. So, please increase your budget to at least $1000 to manage to get a decent pen for everybody.

Thank you,
Sumit

Hi Amit,

Along with the gifts you plan to give the employees, you can probably give them certificates - printouts on the company letterheads. It would not cost you anything. :)

Regards, Vanita

Hi Amit,

It is a very good idea to celebrate the Diwali Competitions in the office. I have one doubt: don't you have any other people of different religions in your office who don't celebrate our festivals? Or have you assigned the 40 marks without considering those people?

Regarding the gifts, the others' idea is better than mine, especially considering the budget. If you increase your budget, why not consider wallets for the gentlemen and handbags or small purses for the ladies, all with your company name on them?

Please clarify my doubt by emailing me at my email id.

Regards,
Vani
Email: vvanirao15@gmail.com

Hi Amit,

You can take their photographs (individual ones) on photo paper, add a few comments/quotations about their winning spirits in the competition, and get the signature of your MD/CEO/Top Management. Then, gift them with a unique title for each of them; for example, "Mr. X - The Achiever."

Hope this will help you and your budget.

Regards,
Pubali

Dear Amith,

It's great that you have organized a competition for your employees, and the winners total about 40!!

Taking into consideration your budget, I can give you one suggestion that we have tried out, which was successful and is also remembered by the employees.

Organize one more competition for the winners only. They should buy any gift they like (can be mentioned to be below ₹25 or ₹50). Ensure that all the winners have brought their gifts. So, there are 40 gifts!!

Give a number or the name of the employee who has brought it. Make a chit and put it in a box.

What's next?

Inform your employees to come one after another and pick a chit. The name/number mentioned on the slip will receive the gifts.

You can discuss this with 2-3 employees before implementing it.

Hmm, you still have ₹500 in your hand. Don't think that it's yours!! (Just kidding)

Here, if an employee or employees are getting their own gifts, then ₹500 can be shared among them.

"If you are implementing this, please do give me feedback."

Regards,

Roshan.E.P

Dear Roshan,

Thank you so much for your suggestion; this is a great idea. If I am going to implement this, I will definitely get back to you. 😄

Regards,
Amith R.

Hi,

Since the budget is really low, approximately Rs. 12, what you can do is buy colored pens in bulk, which will cost you Rs. 2 per pen. Then, you can have your company logo printed on them, which will not cost you much for 40 employees. This gift will also be useful to them.

Let me know if you need more help.

Hi Amith,

A few things to clarify:

1. Giving gifts to employees makes them feel great about the company, enhances their interest, etc., as we all know and have experienced.

2. You have decided to go ahead with a Deepavali competition comprising 40 members and with a financial budget of 500 Rs to be given to all the members, right?

3. In this situation, either the competition should be attractive, fun, challenging, or the prize should be catchy.

4. As your company has decided to proceed with 500 Rs, just ensure that the competition should be worthwhile for the time they invest so that a second thought should not arise about the gift/prize. You can include some mentor games, motivational activities, team-building activities, etc.

Karthik

Hi Amith,

Can you let me know how you conducted that event "Diwali Competition"? Please give me some suggestions.

Kavita Sharma