Is it OK to give cash as gifts to people in a professional situation?

What about the Visa gift cards?
They’re as good as cash.

Why aren’t gift cards secure?

You could always give a visa or Amex gift card instead. OOps, I see fireside agrees with me, sorry for the repeat!

@fireside & scamp

A great idea, but they frequently charge fees (as a matter of fact, I have never seen one that doesn’t….)

Gift cards….some aren’t secure. For example, if they hang by the register, people can copy down the 16 digit number associated w/ the card. They keep calling the 800# until it is activated and then swoop in and buy something w/ the card # online.

Those that have a covered (scratch off) pin associated w/ them are the most secure.

It is hard to deduct “cash” as a business expense if you don’t get a receipt.

Why not ,its not as if its stolen .

@Judi I don’t believe this is deductible as a business expense anyway, as these aren’t my employees….?

The problem with Visa and Amex cards is that you have to pay a fee just to activate and put $$ on them.

a sincere thank you does go along way. Letting someone know you appreciate their help is very thoughtful. When someone just takes the time to notice my efforts and let’s my bosses know about it is priceless. A gift in any form is very nice even if it’s that kind word face to face. I don’t think a tip of any kind would be frowned upon, maybe they would say no thank you but would still feel good about your actions. Nicely done snoopy very cool.

So are they co-workers?
I guess the relationship would matter a bit.

How about some cookies and a nice card?

@Snoopy… fees? You mean the buyer has to pay a fee or the recipient?

The purchaser of the card has to pay a fee.

@fireside No they are not co workers or employees of mine. They are employees of places that I work at as an independent contractor.

Not to sound awful, but due to the income disparity between myself and those in question, a monetary gift of some kind would be the most appropriate. Anything less would feel cheap to me…..although I am sure there are plenty of people who do nothing, sadly.

@scamp and astro chuck….Correct. I would have to pay the fees….That would be a factor in how much money I put on the cards (due to the number of cards I will need to buy….).

As noone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon for cold hard cash, I am sensing that a gift card is still best….

Is that correct…..?

In the mall around here, they have gift certificates that can be used at something like 150 locations. I’m not sure if they have something like that down there.

To me, cash in an envelope feels like something you get from a relative. Considering the monetary disparity, it might also make the same denomination of gift feel somehow less satisfying. Sort of like charity.

not that there’s anything wrong with charity, it’s just how people might receive it

This time of year a Starbuck’s gift card might be a welcome gift.

If you can think of something good, I would always go for gifts instead of cash.

Giving cash makes the task feel like more of a job and less of a favour, and in-turn they might expect the same in the future or may even feel like you aren’t appreciating them enough on this occasion by paying them too little (even if they didn’t expect anything in the first place).

Cash puts people in job mode, but gifts keep the whole thing in the realm of social favours. I would never directly give money as a gift in return for a favour.

Even a gift certificate or card is a good step away from directly handing over a wad of cash, so go for that.

My 2¢.

Do NOT get them a Circuit City gift card.

Somebody got me a gas gift card recently. I almost licked them out of joy.

I think a nice Mervyn’s or The Sharper Image gift card would be really appreciated.

@fireside. ...that is exactly one of my points about gift cards (RE Circuit City closing).
Nice try Astro Chuck :(

The mall gift card is a FANTASTIC idea. I didn’t know that they do this….

@lefteh I don’t know that I want to create that kind of situation, but it is a great idea too!

@Snoopy, I would feel weird if a work associate gave me money. I would wonder if he/she thought I needed the cash. Cash seems more personal somehow. I say mall gift card or maybe a Target gift card? Who doesn’t shop at Target?

Thanks gimmedat. That is also a great idea…
:)

I give out Target Gift Cards for the exact type of relationship. Target has a department for everything and everyone I give them to loves them. Some of the people use the card to buy toys for their kids so it’s a win/win situation.

Yeah, Target and Best Buy are pretty good options.

Depending on the place, cash could be construed as an ethics violation. Many businesses have limits on what an employee can accept as a gift, especially from a vendor or supplier. It looks like a bribe. Why not just take them out to lunch some place nice?

@Alfreda A great idea….but not practical in my particular situation.

I believe what I am going to do is get gift cards….likely at area restaurants.

Thanks so much to all who answered.

I worked in the corporate world for many years and cash was a definite no-no and could be seen as a bribe or kick-back by their employer.

The owner of my company would give gift boxes (turkey or ham, wine, candy) to all of his office employees and would also give them to the purchasing people at long time clients. But understanding that the office staff could make a big difference to expediting things he had salesmen deliver lots of candy. 1 lb boxes to individuals and 5–10 lb to support staff.

A nice food gift (you can give something from Harry & David for $40 up) is always appropriate. One year I got a case of wine, but since I don’t really drink, I had a whole year of regifts.

T-you GG

Soo….....Where do you work?