This holiday, budgets are tight. So what can you give your fellow associates, your boss or your employees that will be meaningful and cost effective?
- A sincere and specific hand-written thank you note
- Homemade goodies
- A jar of nickles and dimes placed in the break room and marked "parking meter money"
- An afternoon off - surprise!
- An offer to start someone's car for a warmer ride home
- An invite to lunch
- The offer to help with a project that's had them overwhelmed - without pointing out how overwhelmed they seem
- Surprise bagels
- The delivery of a fax/fixing of the copy machine/making a pot of coffee/taking out the trash - quietly and without seeking recognition
- A genuine smile and "Merry Christmas!/Happy Holidays!"
Of all the cliches we encounter in our daily lives, "it's the thought that counts" is one that holds true. Be inventive this year. Be thoughtful. You'll save money, but more importantly, you'll likely touch someone's heart.