Mass Online Gifting Suggestions

December 18, 2008 2:55 AM

Gifting en masse. Looking for non physical holiday gift ideas that can be ordered online for 40+ people scattered throughout the world.

Over the last year, my small business has employed about 40+ freelance artists across the world for jobs ranging from pro-bono pitch work to five-figure campaigns, and I'd like to spread a bit of holiday cheer to both them and other vendors we have worked with.

Logistically, I can't buy or make physical items and ship them all out, so I am looking for suggestions of a small gift that can be purchased and fulfilled online.

The biggest problem is budget, as I can really only afford to spend 20 (Australian) dollars maximum per person without breaking the bank.

I feel that doing a straight up Amazon or iTunes gift certificate with a dollar amount on it might seem a bit lame, so I guess am looking for something along those lines that might be a bit more thoughtful.

(previous gifts along this line that I have given are magazine subscriptions, relevant charity donations, planting a tree in someone's name, website gift accounts, a laser etched disc that was going to be blasted into the moon... etc)

Suggestions?

posted by LongDrive to shopping (9 comments total)

T-shirts from Spreadshirt, either with your company logo or some unique design?
posted by DarlingBri at 3:56 AM on December 18, 2008

Perhaps an individualized domain name/google apps account so they can have [e-mail] for their email address?

Might be a bit of a hassle setting it all up, but you can get domain names fairly cheap.
posted by oxford blue at 4:02 AM on December 18, 2008

Mefi memberships? Only half-kidding. I reckon any vaguely web-worker type person would get a kick out of this place.
posted by Happy Dave at 4:18 AM on December 18, 2008

Kiva microcredit money to loan to the entrepreneur of their choice? You'd give that in denominations of $25, although other microcredit sites might differ in amount.
On a totally different tangent, custom printed M&Ms candy (!) are about $15/bag, which leaves some leeway for shipping.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 6:15 AM on December 18, 2008

You can choose a specific album from iTunes to gift. You can choose a different one for each person, or just send everyone the same album. This assumes that people use iTunes, of course.
Audiobooks are a possibility too.
Or a collection of online recipes and a gift card for the local supermarket for the ingredients? I would like this, but I like food.
Movie tix for their local movie theaters?
posted by pipti at 7:01 AM on December 18, 2008

Amazon gift is probably best. Nearly everyone would use this, even people who normally pirate music..
posted by By The Grace of God at 8:50 AM on December 18, 2008

Seconding Kiva -- I'm giving a certificate to each family memeber this year. They get to choose the recipient, and when that loan is paid back, they can re-loan the same $$ again and again. Really is the gift that keeps on giving....
posted by mmf at 10:26 AM on December 18, 2008

I second Amazon certificates--yeah, it's not so personal, but it will definitely be used and provides a lot of flexibility to the recipient (books, music, movies, even food!)

Also, can I just say how awesome you are for thinking of your freelancers at all? Most freelancers are probably used to being overlooked--even in less-horrific economic times--and will be thrilled and touched at even a small sign of appreciation.
posted by Ms. Informed at 11:50 AM on December 18, 2008

How about an Audible.com gift certificate? ($10, $25, and up.) It's definitely along Amazon/iTunes lines but maybe a bit less expected and it might introduce them to something new which could amuse them while they work.
posted by carbide at 2:02 AM on December 19, 2008