Neat contest prizes between $50 & $100

AtomBomb

I've been nominated to come up with some staff prizes for this thing we're doing at work. Budget is between $50 and $100 for 6 items (each), and maybe $200ish for a grand prize. I think we'll offer giftcards, but I'm looking for physical stuff.

The staff is pretty varied. 18 year olds to 60 year olds. No real common interest (not like a record store where you know that at least everyone is into music). If we let people choose, I can't buy the stuff now and any really good deals I find will probably have expired by the time the contest ends. If we don't let people choose, someone is going to get a prize they don't really like.

I'm the tech guy here, so I tend to lean towards that. I found some decent cameras, a low end gps, a no name 7" media player and a solar charger for the low end prizes. I was thinking maybe a netbook or something for the grand prize. I'm also watching woot and slickdeals for interesting stuff, but I'd like to announce soon.

I'm hoping you guys have some better ideas...

GrimmyTOA

Restaurant gift certificates are a decent idea. Try to find something of decent quality, as opposed to just sending your coworkers down to Applebee's or what have you.

Keep in mind that not everyone wants tech stuff, and those that do want it will often already have it. Consumables are often best for this sort of thing.

Elin

Gas cards. Almost everyone can use a gas card right now. Grocery store gift cards, you can bill 'em as groceries for a week. Grand prize: 50$ gas card, 50$ restaurant gift card, 100$ hotel chain gift card. See if you can talk management into a week end off to go with it. You can call it a weekend get away.

mechaThor

Agreed on consumables. Also if variation is an issue things like Amazon giftcards are good since they can really get whatever they need.

MichaelLC

Yeah, gift cards are usually the way to go, if there's no common interest. Not very exciting, but pretty much anyone could find something at Target or enjoy going out to a restaurant.

Elin's idea is pretty good.

jclast

Giftcard lol, but movie certificates I find work really well because, yeah you are giving them a gift card but you are also guaranteeing them a night out. And $50 at the movies is either enough to take 2 people and go all out or take 2 people twice while watching your money.