It’s that time of the year again, so we rounded up some gift ideas to get your favorite onsite installer.
Essentials
If your installer is working through the elements this winter, obviously something to keep them warm, and I’m not talking beverages. Warm coats. Long johns and long sleeve T-shirts. Gloves: My favorites have Thinsulate insulation, and I think most glove manufacturers and boot manufacturers use Thinsulate now. Waterproof, insulated, warm boots. Wool socks. Hats that cover 94% of the head. Neck gaiters. Topping the essential list though is nice, warm insulated bibs — overall or coverall styles. Once you put all of the above on, then good bib coveralls over all that and a coat over the bibs, you’ll be way too warm to work. So go back inside and spend Christmas with your family, you shouldn’t be working on Christmas anyway…
For in the truck
Let’s start with a good lunch box. I’ve seen lunch boxes so fancy they keep the warm food warm and the cold stuff cold. Basic lunch boxes are just fine also. Or a rare lunch box. I mentioned to my wife I was in the market for a new lunch box and she asked me why I don’t just use the Wild Wild West lunch box I’ve had since second grade. Some people just don’t know the value of a good collectible. And we all know the cups that insulate beverages amazingly well. The truck should always have a box of disposable nitrile gloves and a dispenser of hand sanitizer. A nice scraper for the windshield in the event we get snow or ice this year. Also for the truck in winter: a shovel, bag of ice melt, jumper cables.
I know some of you whippersnappers know how to use Bluetooth, but some of us more mature individuals might like a good replacement cord that connects our phone to the USB port (see, I’m technically savvy — I said USB port) and my excuse is that way the phone can charge while I’m listening to books or music while driving on days off. If it was a workday then my phone would be ringing too much to listen to diddly-squat.
Tools
As an installer who does a lot of troubleshooting, my favorite tool I own is a really good spotlight. Unlike the big box store spotlights, this one is super bright, actually holds a charge for a week or longer, and will always recharge. (I’ve mentioned it before — here's my daily bag for troubleshooting if you need more tool ideas.)
A great item for any truck are those 5-gallon bucket tool bags. They slip inside a 5-gallon bucket and convert it to a tool box that is easy to fit a lot in and easy to carry. Those should be a must on every truck, or at least on every service or install truck. These make a great gift for a home toolbox as well.
There’s lots of new PVC cutters available. PVC cutters just keep getting better.
A great stocking stuffer for an installer is always a good 25- or 30-foot tape measure with a wide, bright blade.
For the new person
For the new person we’ve already mentioned some of the basics: gloves, boots, 5-gallon bucket tool bag with an assortment of tools and a tape measure.
But a great idea for the new person is a box of business cards. Nothing tells a person that they are really part of the company like a box of business cards. Business cards are very inexpensive but do a great job of strongly conveying to the person that not only are they part of the team, but professional as well.
Safety
For safety at home, I’ve been known to give robust fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as gifts.
For safety at work, it’s as simple as letting everyone know it’s the No. 1 priority. Gifts could include hard hats, eye protection and high-vis vests, shirts or jackets. Safety training is one of the most important gifts you can give your employees.
Gag gift idea
One of my pumpers draws a poo emoji on every work order/invoice that he hands to the customer. I think he’s getting sheets of poo emoji stickers so he can merely add a sticker to each invoice.
For important customers and contacts
Everybody seems to give the same thing to their customers or important contacts. Cheese boxes, wine — you know, the same-olds. (Not that I don’t appreciate those same-olds). Our company goes to an amazing bakery in the area that makes huge cheesecakes that are covered in chocolate and have a seasonal frosting decoration on them. We hand these out to all who made a major contribution in some way, and all employees. I’ve had some people ask if they can get a second one, one to take home and one to share with their office. We have people just waiting for these each year. We’ve been known to take these to our local inspectors office and I typically take two to our local 911 dispatch center, as a way of saying thanks to those unsung heroes. Think of something different and unique. Stick out from the crowd.
To the person who has everything
There are always those who already have everything. I know what they need: Time. A day off, or two days off. A gentle reminder to not miss their kids’ school activities, their kids’ sports activities, their life activities. Work takes a lot of time away from family just in general. Give the gift of acceptance that family is important and should be a priority no matter how busy work gets. I mentioned safety training is one of the most important things that you can give your employees. The most important is understanding regarding family activities. I’ve been reminded several times that I have never turned down a time off request. When an employee asks to be late to take kids to school or leave early because the kids have a game, I always respond that the only thing that impresses me more than a good employee is a good family person. Take that from a person whose children were in grade school sports what seemed like just weeks ago, and they’ve moved on with life and out of the house over 15 years ago. It’s a cliché, but it's true.
Have a great, safe holiday season and a merry Christmas!
About the author
Todd Stair is vice president of Herr Construction, Inc., with 34 years’ experience designing, installing, repairing, replacing and evaluating septic and mound systems in southeast Wisconsin. He is the author of The Book on Septics and Mounds and a former president of the Wisconsin Onsite Water Recycling Association.
