Suggestions? - Gifts for IT Team

[Galant]

Hexites, hello!

Sorry I'm not around all that much anymore, hope you guys are all keeping well!

Popping in to seek your opinions!

I manage a small team of techies and want to get them all a little something for Christmas. It can't be anything expensive, let's say under £50 each.

As tech guys, what sort of small little thing do you think would be genuinely appreciated?

It could be useful, funny, whatever.

Ideally it would be the same sort of thing for each guy with variations. They're an international bunch - Spanish, Romanian, Lithuanian, Khazakstani, Argentinian and Indian.

Initial ideas were something along the lines of desk toys/tools, like a phone holder, or charging device, USB of some sort etc.

Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks.

G.

[Guy]

iFixit toolkits?

Depending if they're all the kind of techies to regularly be taking apart their own & friends/family devices. No international spin on things, but a good toolkit is always nice.

[[GSV]Trig]

Escrima sticks, then when users get annoying, well, you know the rest

[Jonatron]

Leatherman - style multi-tool. Raspberry pi. Puzzle cubes (think variations of rubik's cube, there's loads of them, and random chinese brands are much better than the rubick's brand)

[Saracen999]

Are you thinking of something pragmatic, or something a little more .... gifty?

I mean, Guy's notion of IFixit is pretty good IF you're thinking utilitarian. Except, I wonder, if they're techies, won't they arleady likely have things like iFFixit kits .... if they need them?

I could mention a nice bottle of scotch or brandy, for a personal idea but, it's very subjective on what people like or don't, unless you know them well enough to know their tastes. And, well, I'm not sure booze is appropriate anyway. And if someone's teetotal?

How about something like a personal experience for them plus their SO - like a restaurant voucher or high tea?? But then, that gets complicated if they're spread out all over the planet. I'm not sure how practical that would be.

Not easy, is it? But I s'pose if it was, you wouldn't be asking for ideas in the first place.

And, BTW, nice to 'hear your voice', as it were. Hope all's well.

[Ttaskmaster]

Leatherman are quite expensive these days. Most of their tools are well over £50, and they tend to have problematic things like locking blades.
A Swiss Army knife may be a better option. You can get them customised with things like individual names, company logos, slogans and so on, if that's of any interest.

[AGTDenton]

One of the best tech gifts I've ever received was a pocket sized computing dictionary.
Still have it today, but when I open it, it's more like a museum piece of old tech but exceptionally well written and still largely relevant.

I've never found anything as good since! Sadly it wasn't by a known publisher, it was branded with a hardware suppliers logo as I recall, haven't taken it out of my box of books for a long time.


As others have said, tools or a raspberry pi would be very well received.
Maybe even a Steam/xbox/PS gift card to any known gamers...

[Rob_B]

Mini torch - I picked a "OLIGHT I1R 2 Pro" up after an OCUK recommendation and its a lovely bit of (not 100% neccesary) kit ~ £16
Another vote for a Pi, maybe a Zero 2W ~ £17 + chuck in an SD card with something imaged on it already if you want to make it a bit more personal.

[cptwhite_uk]

How about:

travel pack - neck cushions, battery bank for electrical devices, universal plugs in a nicely presented bag?

luxury gift set - bath bombs, scented candles, luxury hot chocolate and personalised mug

christmas hamper - biscuits, crackers, luxury soft drinks, fruits, nuts (check for allergies!), cheeses, and chocolates

a signed photograph of yourself driving a car they could never afford on the wage you pay them (joke)

RGB lighting kit for their personal rigs



Personally I'd like the christmas hamper or goodie pack - I think that's always nice, and seasonal.

[Saracen999]

Leatherman are quite expensive these days. Most of their tools are well over £50, and they tend to have problematic things like locking blades. ....

If you mean "problematic" in terms of the legality of locking blades, .... yes??? Maybe.

Firstly, yes, if you're in the UK. IIRC, Galant isn't, and I'm not sure if Gibraltar follows Uk law on that.

Secodly, as I understand it (and IADNAL) (that's IANAL with a definitely added in) that depends on the length of blade, and WHERE you take it.

Anything with an automated blade-opening mechanism (switchblade, flick-knife, butterfly knife, etc) is, (AIUI) going to be flat-out illegal here. But a locking knife, requiring a button to lock or unlock, but whre you then have to actually OPEN the blade manually .... isn't illegal to possess.

You still need to be very careful if and where you have it, how you carry it and/or why you have it with you.

In your toolkit, on the way to/from a job where you might need a locking knife, provided it's not inherently illegal by virtue of automatic mechanisms, blade length, etc, is not automatically an offence. Being caught walking down the street or in a pub on a friday (or any) night? Not a bright idea.

In short, AIUI, provided the knife itself isn't illegal, and short-blade (about 3.5" or under) isn't, then you can have it with you but you may well have to demonstrate a valid reason why you do, if you end up getting searched.

It's not, IMHO, a good area for experimentation to see how far you can push the boundaries, but I do (did) use to carry a locking knife for use on jobs. It was necessary. Usually, in a toolkit, in the boot of the car. But I do remember coming home one night after a long job, and after about 2 hours on the motorway, I slowly became area of a rather sore backside. Guess who'd stuck the locking knife in the rear pocket of my jeans and forgot it was there.

Good thing that knife didn't have an automatic mechanism for opening the blade. i might have lost something I value. It did lock, though.

As always, not a lawyer. Nobody should rely on my forum comments as legal advice. I'm not qualified to give it, and if I were, .... it wouldn't be free.

[Saracen999]

....


Personally I'd like the christmas hamper or goodie pack - I think that's always nice, and seasonal.

My 2p, for what it's worth .... hampers are a risk.

The wife and I used to get one every year from her parents. These were NOT cheap. They were Fortnum & Mason, and came in a whicker basket the size of a picnic hamper, or a small suitcase. That alone probly stuck £50-£100 on the price at F&M, before you get to the contents.

We eventually had to risk offending them because, well, it always had a range of stuff about half of which we either didn't like at all, or couldn't give a hoot about. Neither of us ever drank the wine, of which there was usually two or three bottles. I just don't drink, and haven't for a very long time, and the wife might have a small sherry but that's about it. Of the non-booze contents, we'd maybe (at best) use half, and either give away or bin the other half. It was a really nice thought, but even at that end of the market, it really depends on the tastes of the recipient.

And, pretty much, ditto on the bottles of pongy stuff. I still have a couple of bottles of such stuff I was given about 30 years ago. I like what I like and would rather buy what I know I like than experiment with gifts.

Sure, not everybody is as fussy as us, and some people would love a hamper, etc. But it's a gamble.

[Kumagoro]

I like me a nice torch as well. https://www.nitecore.co.uk/products/nitecore-tip-2.html

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001639284256.html

I got an ODB2 reader recently Vgate Vlinker MC+ which I think is pretty handy for anyone with a car.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005192171900.html

Firebox.com use to be good for browsing for ideas back in the day but it seems to be not as good now. Menkind seems to be better.

[b0redom]

If you're all in the office together...... Nerf guns....

[Saracen999]

If you're all in the office together...... Nerf guns....

And for anyone else going to the office .... a Hazmat suit.

[Galant]

iFixit toolkits?

Definitely taking a look at these.

Escrima sticks

I like it, but not for the guys. If I get grumpy one day it might come back on me.
Hey Guys! Thanks so much for the feedback. It's been helpful.
Good to hear from you guys.

Saracen, thanks for the kind words. All is well. Very busy. A bit too much. But yes, doing well!

Leatherman - style multi-tool. Raspberry pi. Puzzle cubes

Leatherman, taking a look to see if I can find something affordable.
Raspberry PI, still difficult to get hold of here.
Puzzle cubes - not sure most of them are puzzle guys so I'll skip this one. Interesting consideration though.

Are you thinking of something pragmatic, or something a little more .... gifty?

Yes.

Alcohol - I'd have to get very individual. One doesn't drink. Not sure about the others' tastes.
Same for food.
Experiences/vouchers also tricky because we've got younger single guys, older married guys, and I'm trying to come up with something similar across the board.

A Swiss Army knife may be a better option.

Definitely will check this out, we've got a couple of local places selling them. Mine comes in handy frequently.

Locking blades aren't an issue here in Gibraltar. I'm still in awe how basic penknives and tools are verboten in England. I grew up a boy scout aspiring to be 'always prepared'. These sorts of laws just seem to say, 'don't be prepared. Auntie will take care of you, here's you go play outside.' Not a recipe for a healthy society IMO.

...pocket sized computing dictionary

Had to look this one up! Somehow I don't see these guys really reading a paper dictionary. Age we live in. Sadly.

Steam/xbox/PS gift card

I think this will be a backup if I can't come up with something physical!

Mini torch

I like me a nice torch as well

I'm going to keep my eyes out for something along these lines as I see what's out there. Thanks.

travel pack - neck cushions, battery bank for electrical devices, universal plugs in a nicely presented bag?

luxury gift set - bath bombs, scented candles, luxury hot chocolate and personalised mug

christmas hamper - biscuits, crackers, luxury soft drinks, fruits, nuts (check for allergies!), cheeses, and chocolates

RGB lighting kit for their personal rigs

Sadly, too much work pulling this all together. Going to be a bit lazier than that.

a signed photograph of yourself driving a car they could never afford on the wage you pay them

Also, sadly, I'd need to own a car like that in the first place. I'm a mere manager, not the owner, so I don't pay them anything. Still, I could start a crowd funder if you all want to chip in. I'd be happy to buy car, take a photo, stick the Hexus logo on it, and give it as a gift to the team. Elite level donors would receive my undying gratitude, and a Christmas card.

Nobody should rely on my forum comments as legal advice.

True enough. I took Saracen's advice to live off the grid, got embroiled in an anti-government conspiracy group and only just got out after 5 years in jail. Thanks Saracen.

If you're all in the office together...... Nerf guns....

The temptation would be there to use it on the owner when he walks in... not sure I want to get fired.

[Saracen999]

You took my advice?
On anything?

I can rcommend a good psychiatrist ....





Oh, wait ....