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The Grinch has cancelled Christmas and I am left to save the day...

23

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 09:41

So......

The boss has cancelled the staff Christmas party this year for a few different reasons. They actually make sense I guess, but now I have to organise gift baskets for the staff (that's my surprise Christmas bonus lol...)

Have looked online and there is no way we have the budget to order any of the ones that I have found. So I am going to have to make them up myself.

Can any of you handy women help me locate some stuff???

Where can I find nice red boxes in different sizes? I was thinking of doing a stacking block of boxes (maybe 5?) to make them look impressive, and then fill them with different goodies in each and wrap in a nice ribbon?

As wives of men (lol), what would you be happy to find in each of the boxes? Keeping in mind that I have a stupid crazy low budget. Is candy and chocolates enough?? I was thinking of a Christmas pudding, but not all are western nationalities. I don't want to waste the limited budget on something that won't be enjoyed.

Please ladies help me!

What would you love to receive in a Christmas gift box from your husbands work (no alcohol or diamonds!) and where in Dubai can I find it all cheaply??

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Cherry ripe49050

970

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 13:07

Go for the patchi chocs. Everyone loves a chocolate, looks impressive and easy for you.

277

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 12:43

I agree with Pamya. As a wife who has been given heaps of gifts like this from my husbands work I can tell you please dont go the cheap tat route. A box and a nice ribbon alone will cost you at least 15dhs out of your 100dhs leaving 85 for a gift. I dont want someone else buying my cosmetics, perfume or skincare, clothing or anything personal. How about movie tickets, or a gift voucher to an afternoon tea at a hotel? How about a donation to a charity like Keva.org or some charity related to your work field? World food program? A bottle of wine (or grape juice) if appropriate? ..... sorry I have strong opinions on this but DH has bought home yet another watch hes been given from a client, I just think what a waste, could they not do something meaningful? or fun?, or good for charity? edited by Ilovechoos on 25/11/2011 Edited to add more ideas: What about a restaurant voucher (lime tree) with a note attached saying "Bon appetite" or if your office loves coffee maybe some Costa/starbucks Vouchers inside a coffee cup, or a voucher for the business lunch at Okku - its only 89dhs and its fabulous (although I dont know if you can buy gift vouchers for Okku). Carrefour vouchers? <em>edited by Ilovechoos on 25/11/2011</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 12:17

What I would do is instead of stacking boxes, I would get one medium sized box (can be found at Daiso), get some pretty cloth to stuff the box with and then put a bunch of little gifts inside (chocolates, his & hers perfume, recipes, a scarf like the others have suggested). You can then buy a nice big ribbon to wrap the box and maybe stick a card on the box with the person's name and a little message :)

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 11:27

Thanks for these ideas, I am going to do some hunting tomorrow. I definitely have no time to cook anything myself. We can't do a get together this year as one of the reasons is that everyone has so much travel leading up to the break, so a party is definitely out. Gifts left on everyone's desk as a surprise is my only option. I'm thinking of stacking boxes, but am open to other like ideas.

GirlAnachronism35688

1039

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 11:09

If you're in the mood/have time you could bake a few big batches of gingerbread or something like that? Truffles are really easy to make too. I always love when friends give us homemade sweets like that, normally wrapped in pretty bags... Spinneys are selling mini Christmas puds but I don't know the price, and for some reason they say 'big sister' on the front....M&S always sell cute mini Christmas cakes (really mini!) - again not sure of price but maybe worth a look. Alternatively could you not use the budget to just buy in a load of nice food/drink and have a little office based Christmas party on the last working day before Christmas?

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 11:01

You could buy packs of shortbread biscuits, take say 4 out and put them in a small bag (daiso sell them) and tie with ribbon. Or just go to patchi and buy a box of chocolates, come in a nice box and ribbon. My dh loves them and costs about 70-80dhs.

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:56

Or if you want to go more local, maybe a camel chocolate.

324

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:55

I would rather go for a better quality gift for less than something cheap; like Galler chocolate. You can buy four 70 g bars for 60 Dhs and they wrap them nicely.

1052

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:49

Daiso have red boxes in different sizes 7 aed each i got them for xmas gifts cheaper than wrapping paper. 100 aed im not sure on that budget but what about a trip to outlet mall see what they have. I love the idea of a scarf so what about carefour they sell them for 10 aed each and i have loads of them they wash super and have lasted really well all my family buy them in bulk when here and take them home. Second box what about some body mist like the fantasies range white musk or there is a shop in mirdiff that sell a gift set of 4 for 39 aed its near to Gap i think. Third what about some makeup pallet lip gloss or eyeshadow, mishkaya do nice ones for as little as 29 aed and you can get them in lovely gold shiny cases. Daiso is in either mirdiff cc or oasis mall on szr. Good luck

Cherry ripe49050

970

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EW GURU

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:47

There is a daiso in Oasis centre and mirdiff city centre that I know of, and probably others. Great for cheap baskets, wrappings and all sorts of little pieces. It may be yr store if bosses budget is tight!

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EW GURU

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:44

I met a lovely lady recently who makes lovely Irish Xmas puds (with or without alcohol) zero 5 zero 640 3513

Puffinlunde34121

384

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:33

If you can't source the stacking gift boxes cheaply enough how about a simple wooden box or wicker basket with a layer of wrapped assorted candies and then 2 or 3 wrapped gifts inside - then wrapped in cellophane and topped with a bow

23

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:29

It is horrific that I have been here for 5 years and had no idea there is a cemetary in Al Quoz... Also have to ask what/where Daiso is?? Clearly I need to stop working so much and shop more often...................!

Cherry ripe49050

970

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EW GURU

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:23

Maybe Daiso would have cheap boxes or baskets.

Cherry ripe49050

970

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:22

Falcon gallery is in Al Quoz, behind toyota on SZR, keep cemetery on yr left and take first st to left, on a corner with a huge sign. Or they have opened a retail shop just near coca cola building in al Badia, near festival city, in the al waha community building.

23

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:19

He said 100dhs absolute max max max max....so that means I have to be well under that. Hence the challenge as I reckon the boxes are that much! I like the idea of 3 boxes, one for the man, one for the wife and one for the kids. Where is Falcon Gallery? No time for anything Dan to be honest, life is beyond crazy at the moment. Have to be able to quickly buy everything and shove it together (with love lol...)

Cherry ripe49050

970

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:06

Falcon gallery may be able to help in the box/wrapping dept. Was there the other day and they had some gorgeous stuff plus all the trees getting ready for the hotels. <em>edited by Cherry ripe on 25/11/2011</em>

Sage & Onion30241

106

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 10:04

for 1 of the boxes - "toffee princess" does some lovely gift wrapped packages of scottish tablet (fudge) not expensive! contact her she may be able to help

761

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 25 November 2011 - 09:57

I so wish I was there to help, I live for this stuff! Dragonmart for boxes? Or order online quick smart? Things like this are very cheap in US if you have Aramex. But what exactly is the budget? I think 3 boxes is enough, anymore is a bit OTT imo. Scarf in a top one (Zara or Banana Republic or even Monsoon), you can never have enough of those. It can be regifted if they absolutely hate it! Do you have time/assistance for baking? Say truffles or gingerbread in the second one (include the recipe on a laminated printed card you could do in the office). And something larger for the last one. Hmm, thinking thinking... Okay, gold class movie tix in the bottom one? Salon voucher with an Essie nail polish? Alright perhaps that would need to be the top one? So you have something "doing", something personal in the "wearing" and something "eating". What do you think?

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