Staff Christmas Gift

November 30, 2006 5:56 PM

I have to buy a unisex gift for a staff Christmas party with a budget of $5. Any suggestions? I’ve never had such a low budget to work with, and am coming up blank. FWIW I’m in Canada.
posted by cleo to Shopping (21 answers total)

Candy!
posted by MegoSteve at 6:05 PM on November 30, 2006

keychain flashlight
posted by amtho at 6:11 PM on November 30, 2006

Everyone loves a Slinky!

(I've done this, and it was very successful).
posted by dilettante at 6:11 PM on November 30, 2006

Maybe I should clarify that I bought Slinkies for adults in their 30s for a departmental Xmas party.
posted by dilettante at 6:13 PM on November 30, 2006

I assume it is some sort of Secret Santa thingy, and you won't know who the recipient is and the present won't have your name on it? I had to do this last year. Hit the Loonie store and found a coffee cup that had some sort of office humour on it (This cup can also be used as a weapon). $4.99. Pretty much everyone drinks coffee or tea so that is safe.

Or candy.
posted by Razzle Bathbone at 6:13 PM on November 30, 2006

Gift card to a nearby coffee shop or cheap, lunch-y restaurant (and maybe a promise to go pick their order up, whenever they want).
posted by ruby.aftermath at 6:13 PM on November 30, 2006

single page calendars are running about $5 on cafepress; I bought one (made with my own photos!) for an office holiday party.
posted by epersonae at 6:26 PM on November 30, 2006

coffee mug filled with candy?
posted by scody at 6:59 PM on November 30, 2006

If you do candy, do KinderSurprise. This would work better if you weren't in Canada and couldn't get them any old day.
posted by artifarce at 7:05 PM on November 30, 2006

exceed your budget, this time it's not going on your permanent record
posted by caddis at 7:36 PM on November 30, 2006

Maybe make up a winter car kit? An ice scraper, a packet of disposable hand warmers and a spray lock de-icer (couldn't find it on the Canadian Tire site, but they're like $1.50)?

ruby.aftermath's idea is good too -- Timmy Ho's might be a safe bet because $5 will actually buy something there.
posted by AV at 7:39 PM on November 30, 2006

I've twice bought a vibrating massager bug for this purpose. Both times for less than $5 though I also added batteries. They are great if you debox them, wrap them up in bubble wrap except for the switch which is the nose, then put them in a cloth gift bag. People are drawn to the unusual gift bag and invariably activate the switch while handling it which generates either shock or embarrassment.
posted by Mitheral at 7:51 PM on November 30, 2006

'Lotto Super 7' scratch tickets!
posted by ericb at 8:15 PM on November 30, 2006

rubick's cube
posted by Deep Dish at 8:32 PM on November 30, 2006

A book of Sudoku puzzles.
Two decks of playing cards.
Barrel of Monkeys game.
posted by plokent at 8:47 PM on November 30, 2006

Tuque!
posted by davey_darling at 9:38 PM on November 30, 2006

Tiny bottles of booze :)

Okay, really...Blockbuster is always good. They have those up north, right?
posted by ampersand2001 at 10:18 PM on November 30, 2006

xmas tree decoration.
posted by krisjohn at 12:37 AM on December 1, 2006

Go look at Stupid.com. Lots of cheap fun stuff. I don't know if they ship to Canada or not but it will give you ideas.
posted by BoscosMom at 12:44 AM on December 1, 2006

Cheapass Games.
posted by dagnyscott at 8:16 AM on December 1, 2006

i really like the rubik's cube and barrel of monkeys ideas
posted by alon at 8:49 AM on December 2, 2006