Emergency services at Christmas

[O'Reilly]

I would like to take down some small gift to the ambulance station Christmas Day. Would it be appropriate to take in some mince pies and a bottle of sherry? Thinking of the drinking on duty rules though I think they could have a glass as they come off duty. Any other ideas that might be more acceptible?

[squarebear]

I'm sure the mince pies would be fine but I don't know about the sherry. In today's society, they may even frown on the mince pies in case you had put something in them.

What about a big box of chocolates like those Celebrations or Miniature Heroes? Then the crew could munch on them during the day.

[O'Reilly]

That might be a better idea. I'll go for chocolates, thank you.

[ruthiebabie]

Or a big box of nice biccys they can have with a cuppa.

[ethanryan]

how about some turkey cobs

[O'Reilly]

Well, I got to thinking about the local cottage hospital as well as the ambulance station (I know the staff unfortunately very well) and I don't ignore the fire station - (manned by people who have pagers) or the cop shop (manned 8 hours a day else go 18 miles to the nearest 24 hour place) so I ended up with the ambulance station and the local A&E that I personally would like to remember.

I understand advice about mince pies and booze so I have gone for two tins of assorted biscuits that I think may be better for the 3 shifts that day in these places.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions.

[MustangLady]

What a lovely gesture O'Reilly. I never give these people a thought who worked 24/7 365 days a year. I'll 'borrow' your gesture if you don't mind and do the same myself. There is a local Fire Station and Ambulance Station not far from me, I will buy some tins of biscuits and give to them. I really admire these people who work endlessly throughout the year giving services to others.
Thanks for the idea x ML x

[O'Reilly]

ML, you are more than welcome to borrow my idea.

I know when I worked in a hospital that you can't really change your shifts and many a year I worked Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing day. That meant that on a 7 day rota I would work New Year's eve, New Year's Day and it's hard when you rather be with family (extra overtime pay does not make up for this special time being at work) so I like to remember the guys and ladies who get the short straw and have to work when the rest of us are having fun.

[squirrel77]

Every time i drive past a fire engine, police car or ambulance i always say 'be safe' . how sad am I??//

[pinkkitty]

squirrel that's not sad that's really sweet!

I always think of those poor souls who have to work on christmas, but had never thought about giving them xmas food to cheer them up. What a great idea!

[firegirl]

What a lovely thing to do although I would say the vast majority of us treat these as normal days and it is just a bonus if you get any of this time off - remember we (well some of us at least) are getting paid double time so not all bad!