Average holiday gift for medical support team if not an owner

[JK]

First year out as an attending and the holidays are fast approaching. I am not an owner in the practice and just an independent contractor but I do work with a small group of people who essentially facilitate my day and make things easier. I'm not yet sure what the management gives them in terms of gifts, but I was thinking of giving them something as well since they are such a huge help to me and are doing a good job.

A few questions:

-Does this seem like an ok idea?

-Best gift ideas? Gift cards vs food vs other?

-How much is appropriate?

I want to be generous and they truly are a huge help and this is the first time in my life (no longer a resident) where I feel like I do have some extra funds. I was thinking Amazon gift cards for all --> $50-100 for the 2 people who help me out sometimes, $100-200 for the two medical assistants I work with regularly and $200-400 for the head MA who essentially runs my life. Is this too much or in line with what other people are doing?

[CordMcNally]

I don't think there's such a thing as too much for the people, as you say, are a huge help. I think gift cards (especially from Amazon since they sell everything) are perfect as it allows them to get whatever they want.

 

As for other ideas, I don't think you could ever, and I mean ever, go wrong with a fruitcake.  

[CordMcNally]

Edit: double post, I think.

[hightower]

Agree that a nice gift card, maybe a bottle of wine or tickets to a show or dinner would be appropriate.  Depends on how much you want to spend, but I think your numbers are generous and appropriate

In the past our group has all chipped in 20-40 each to get a gift card for our office manager who ended up with probably $400 as a Christmas gift.  We recently did this for an office manager who was leaving our group and we collected around $300 and got her tickets to the zoo festival of lights, dinner at a nice restaurant, and a gift card to Michael's since she's into crafts.  My wife put together a cute basket and we all signed a card for her.

[Kamban]

Slightly different setting since I am a soloist and owner of the practice.

I give the same amount in gift cards to all people ($100) - front desk, billing, MA and nurses. To avoid comparison and jealousy, since they chit chat with each other. Along with a box of chocolates and a card. My staff is more down to earth and having tried the Macy /dept store route in the past, I have settled on WalMart and Target. They like them more and find them more useful.

But then I also give some money along with their pay as bonuses and in there I vary the amount to reflect their work load and work ethic and overall value to my practice. Since this is a percentage of their hourly rate it is not discussed among themselves.

 

[Tim]

CordMcNally wrote:

As for other ideas, I don’t think you could ever, and I mean ever, go wrong with a fruitcake. ?

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Pecan pies are extremely popular this year. Ranked #2 for Alibaba's Singles Day.

[Dreamgiver]

I am going to piggyback off of your excellent question and ask about taxation of such gifts. My understanding is that if they are your employees gifts can only amount to $25 per employee or otherwise they have to declare and pay taxes on them. Does this also applies to non-employees such as in the OP? And, as an owner of the corporation, can you deduct these gifts to non-employees as business expenses?

[aCMD]

In our office we close at 1130a go to lunch/holiday party at place the office staff chooses.  We (myself and 2 other doctors) pay plus we give all staff  $100 cash gift. No gift cards!!!. Typically this about $2000 dollars split 3 ways. Please remember how much these people make for you every day, let alone over the year.

Dreamgiver wrote:

I am going to piggyback off of your excellent question and ask about taxation of such gifts. My understanding is that if they are your employees gifts can only amount to $25 per employee or otherwise they have to declare and pay taxes on them. Does this also applies to non-employees such as in the OP? And, as an owner of the corporation, can you deduct these gifts to non-employees as business expenses?

Click to expand...

A couple of years ago my employer gave all the doctors on Doctors Day a $25 dollar gift card at a local car wash. Out of 150 + doctors in the group 90% + refused because we would be required to pay taxes on the gift. I still wonder what happened to all those gift cards.