DH and I have this discussion every year because he gives gifts to his department of 8-9 people who work under him and he is stumped almost every year. Often, he gifts gift cards to restaurants. One year we had gone to Italy so he gave everyone handmade-paper notepads from Florence along with the gift card. Sometimes it will be a joke gift along with a gift card. Their department is pretty friendly and close-knit, so he has also given gift cards specific to each person's interests -- like one for REI for the hiker/outdoorsy type. One year his dept. was all women so he gave them gift cards for a day spa near the office. Oh, and he has given books before -- a book that he read that was somehow meaningful -- along with a GC. His boss has give him/us: a crystal clock (totally not my style), fancy wine bottle opener, hmm, can't remember what else. And DH's staff has given him a lot of restaurant gift cards, which we both enjoy! One year when the company was smaller, the head of the company gave everyone these arty glass paperweights by Josh Simpson, which was cool. I think most people could incorporate something like this into their decor, or simply use it on their desk at work. Here is a link that might be useful: Small Planets

I think sometimes the Scrooge in me might be coming out too often. Or maybe it's the pragmatic part of me. I'm getting more and more convinced that sometimes it's far more thoughtful to *not* give a gift, er, trinket. Many good points here. But a couple thoughts. First, if people are truly trying to declutter, the trinket stuff has got to stop. And much has to go. Some are concerned about overfilled landfills, waste of resources, etc. Second is privacy, security and junkmail. I'd be upset if someone subscribed me to a magazine and gave out a lot of personal information which they often require. When I send for things I use name variations so I can tell who's selling my name, address & phone # to other sources. Magazines are notorious for selling mailing lists. You'll commit that person to a lot of junk mail. At least, I'd see what their opinion is of it before doing that and maybe let them fill out the card. I know about the difficulty of throwing out something that's been personalized. I had a gift once of a fold out frame with pictures and a clock. I didn't need another clock but put it on the desk. Eventually the clock and frame both broke so I tossed it. And was put on the dew-dew list when she saw it was gone. Course this is the same gal who kept giving me clothes that were too small. (Was it a hint?? LOL) What a waste! Hard to throw but I eventually gave a big stack to charity. I would have rather had a case of beer or a home-cooked meal. I've been doing much more of the give a gift when I find the perfect thing at any time of year. Pay for a cell phone for a while, pick up the tab at dinner, nice bottle of wine, get a snowplow, or lawn mowing service for a while, etc. Pet food if they have pets (cat litter for a cat is also great) or possibly pick up some energy saving bulbs if they're trying to cut their electric bill. Weatherstripping items would be a great gift if needed, and help doing it would be much appreciated too. A gift doesn't have to be something that clutters. And sometimes instead of costing as time goes on (as in an electric clock they don't need) it can save them some funds (for example, the CFL bulbs). If a gift can truly keep giving, that's great in my book. And through the year I keep notes if I see that they need or truly WANT something. Watch for a deal on it and enjoy the smile. And I smile that I didn't compound their feelings on things like clutter, waste, etc.

Those are fantastic! Because I kind of know how the ladies will react when they open your gift, I think you should ask your sons to take a picture for you.

Sounds like the concensus is basically pay but verify (any other boomers get this reference?). I have a wonderful housekeeper to whom I always pay double for the visit closest to the holiday, as well as a small gift. She's a very hard working single parent and her daughter has helped out with some of our bigger cleaning jobs, so I generally send along a little gift card for daughter as well. Generally speaking I've always felt that for service providers you interact with regularly the standard should be pay them the same amount you do for whatever it is they provide. I feel that's fair and is the best way to express your appreciation. I've really left behind the concept of thoughtful gifts for business contacts-just show em the money! For a new person I agree-talk to her specifically about what you feel wasn't done to your expectation. It's important to set the tone of 'fair but firm' as a manager once said to me. Love that phrase!