Long Service Award

[Nicos]

Trouble with that is Bren, that I would use it for gifts to others and then not treat myself!

I'd just get something you would like which you would love to have. ...not what you think you should get.

It is meant to be a thankyou treat!!!...so you should come away with a big grin on your face chuffed to bits with your gift!

(I have joined a group of expats who get together for a natter and imported biccies and cakes etc, and last Xmas we gave Secret Santa gifts...everyone had to request 3 things and the giver had a choice of what to get...everyone else asked for scented candles, bracelets, perfume, sox,soaps...and I asked for garden bulbs...see we're all different!!)

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks Nicos, you're right of course. You're also telepathic - I've been asking where you were on the Chat thread earlier because I've missed your cups of tea!!

Ooh! I've just had a thought, I've always wanted a pond, now there's a thought.

[Bigmallly]

Enjoy your pond FF, it's well deserved. I've done 28 years in NHS & got nowt, zilch, nada...............so well done.

[Florence Fennel]

Now that does surprise me BM! We've had these long service awards in the STH Trust for a good few years now, suppose it must depend on your CEO or Board of Guvs.

[dogsbody]

Well done you Florence, as everyone else has said "do what is best for you"

(31 years in NHS and still wishing for a lottery win....)

[quark1]

Get what is best for you and what you will enjoy most either yourself or to share with your family.

When I received a 20yr award from my company before being made redundant a couple of years later I treated myself to a set of ludicrously expensive -well for my 'normal' purse anyway! - heavy cookware by Meyer. It was guaranteed for 20yrs, maybe 25yrs, and apart from just a few v.minor snicks here and there they're are almost as good as they day they were bought - that was nearly 15yrs ago! I love cooking and if I had the money I probably would have got round to buying something like this, piece by piece. Back then the 3-level stacking steamer was £100 and the cheapest milk saucepan around £25. Great investment and have never regretted the decision. Yes I do love cooking - no cordon bleu or stupid towers of food - influenced by Floyd and more lately Levi Roots.

But it would be nice to get something worthwhile which you can enjoy over a long period of time - a piece of classic jewellery could be just the thing and something which could be passed down to the next gen when the time comes.

My company paid the award through the payroll but they DID increase the amount so that the NETT effect would be £200 after tax/nic - it might be worth asking if that is what your employers do if you should prefer to buy your choice of gift away from the vouchers given.

[Florence Fennel]

That's a suggestion that's not been made Quark - about buying something that would become an heirloom. Food for thought! Glad your purchase worked out well. I am determined not to spend it unwisely, thanks very much for your input.