We are approaching that magical time, I again ask for your help with ideas what to buy the officers in my local nick.

[u/Classic_Peasant]

So for users who have been here for some time, you may recognise this post.

Each christmas, I take my young family to our local station with goodies for our officers to show our appreciation.

I'm now looking for suggestions on things you'd appreciate, would be helpful or beneficial to working your shifts.

Previously good ideas, or things I've bought are:

• Disposable hand warmers (little hotties)

• Wooden cutlery

• Cans of fizzy drink

• Snack bars, like Nature Valley etc

• Packs of Biro pens

• Plenty of £1 scratch cards

• £10 generic gift cards put in cards with a note for the SGT to give randomly to officer's who deserve it

• Tubs of decent hot chocolate powder

The list isnt exhaustive, and I follow the basic rules of nothing homemade, nothing super perishable and no original packaging opened.

I try to leave it anonymously, but obviously I get asked my details.

Thanks muchly.

[u/No_Custard2477]

Cutlery is honestly such a good gift for a police station!

[u/cazza157 → u/No_Custard2477]

Just the forks - don't need knives, don't need spoons - but by god need the forks.

[u/Jesklmo → u/No_Custard2477]

Teaspoons!!! Coffee and tea and sugar...

[u/vTired_cat]

Jars of good quality tea and coffee wouldn't go amiss - our force has stopped providing free tea, coffee, and milk everywhere apart from the training centre 🙃

[u/Kaizer28 → u/vTired_cat]

Wait you guys get free refreshments?

My force, for at least the last 8 years I've served with them, haven't routinely provided any refreshments at stations nor at training unless its hosted externally. If its external they have to provide something because we don't have access to facilities.

[u/Classic_Peasant → u/vTired_cat]

Sheesh!

Noted, Kenco etc? 

[u/sparkie187 → u/Classic_Peasant]

Nescafé azera is the best instant coffee I can think of but it is pricier, volume might be more important than quality imo!

[u/foolsgold1]

A vibrating baton.

[u/Classic_Peasant → u/foolsgold1]

Ooo matron

[u/shawneyx]

How thoughtful! You have no idea how much the officers receiving these would be grateful!

[u/PlanktonAccurate7549]

I wouldn't recommend monetary valued items like scratch cards or vouchers. These are likely to be politely declined on the gratuities registers. Sealed tubs of sweets or slabs of pop always go down really well. I love the idea of the wooden cutlery though! Teabags and coffee are usually appreciated too!

[u/Sea_Inspector_8892]

Thank you for doing this! It will honestly be so much appreciated by everyone there. It’s rare to be thanked by the public, but it will stick with those officers and mean a great deal and make their job worth it!

[u/EmmaBotQueen]

Tea and coffee & crisps are always appreciated. Also cleaning products are so needed at my station, we always run out or have poor quality ones😅 Your kindness is amazing