Small gifts for the construction team for the topping out

Chocolate tools? You can buy them in some stores or otherwise order them online.

Every craftsman who was present received 20 euros in an envelope. That is normal. About 10 of them were present with us and later the boss, but the boss got nothing. They all stayed until almost the end and could hardly speak.....

We have now decided on a personalized carpentry pencil (so with the name engraved) and there’s a little something with it, either a pack of 10 or something sweet. We’ll see.

Thanks for thinking along! I wasn’t aware that this is obviously so unusual.

I would ask myself the question: to what extent will the potential recipients still be involved in the house construction in the future? If there is still a lot to be done by exactly these people, then you shouldn't be stingy now; the commitment or the quality in detail could be significantly increased by an appropriate contribution.

People you will never see on your construction site again anyway... yes, they will also be happy about it, but the benefit for you is basically zero.

Please don't stone me now for this inhumane approach; therefore, I would find it better to give the "right" people something now and then with a handshake during the construction process, not only when it is almost finished.

We have now decided on a personalized carpenter's pencil (that is, engraved with names) and there will be a little something along with it, either a 10-euro note or something sweet. We'll see.

Thanks for the input! I wasn't aware that this was obviously so unusual.

That’s a nice idea, the carpenter's pencil.
However, I doubt that the joy of those receiving it will be greater than your joy in giving it.
Therefore, I would also skip the "sweet" and prefer the 10-euro note.

Don’t get me wrong: I also like little things like that, just like homemade baked goods (if they come from someone I know), as long as they don’t arrive crumbly. But often it’s kind of bazaar-quality, and you wonder in which kitchen they were baked.

The give-aways are often things that just lie around before eventually being thrown away.
Regarding the carpenter’s pencil: I’m just imagining if I received something personalized for my fieldwork, something that is common work material... for example, I always have those Ikea pencils: used once—dirty, somewhere at the bottom of a bag or ends up in the dirt... if someone engraved my name on one, it would be like pearls before swine.

If it’s a construction team, and the topping-out ceremony isn't already enough of a pleasure, I would give everyone a bill plus (depending on the season) a chocolate Santa Claus. The latter can at least be eaten by their kids if necessary ;)

I also don't quite understand the point. People do their work, for which they are paid, probably not sparingly. Why give anything extra there? When I hand in a project, nobody gives me anything either, and if the client were to slip me a tenner, I would also feel a bit cheated...