There’s a lot to think about when you’re buying a foosball table. First, where do you even buy a foosball table? You can’t exactly go down to your local Wal-Mart and buy one (*). Then you have to decide whether to get the nice wood one or a cheap metal one… and whether you want to have ITSF Regulation Size. And once you get it, you’ve gotta figure out where to put the damn thing!

Of course, maybe everyone in your office sucks at foosball, and that’s not your choice of stress relief. Your guys and gals might like a pool table, or a sweet new Xbox, or something completely different. But outfitting the workplace with some ‘tools’ to keep the blood pressure down is important. And if you’re a startup, you probably have to do it on the cheap. Here are a couple of ideas:

• Get a game system. If you’re going to go this route, you need to get the latest and greatest (such as the Xbox 360 or the Nintendo Wii), and you need to get extra controllers. Almost all of these systems support up to four controllers; many can be networked so you can play eight or sixteen player games. It isn’t much fun to play by yourself, so if you’re going to spend bucks here, spend the bucks to get a decent setup.
• Get things to throw around and/or shoot (nerf, etc.). This is always popular, and rather cheap. Get nerf balls, nerf guns, and other things that can be thrown at people. Of course, they shouldn’t actually hurt, or have the potential to break things, but the dumb stuff can be good stress relievers. And you actually can buy these at Wal-Mart.
• If you work somewhere near a field or other open space, get some outdoor gear, such as Frisbees, a soccer ball, or the like. You may want to put an ‘Outdoor Use Only’ sign on these…
• If you’ve got a nice TV (such as for that game system I mentioned above), then buy some DVDs, cable service or other content to go on it. I generally recommend getting something short and light… it’s a lot easier to take a break if you’re watching an episode of Simpsons or South Park than if you’re watching Lord of the Rings.
• Buy exercise mats. You may even get healthier employees out of it.
• Buy those big exercise balls. They’re great for doing exercises, and they’re also great for sitting on if you need an extra chair for a meeting.
• Get bean bags. Big ones. Good to drag around the office for informal meetings and shooting the breeze.
• Of course, there is always the aforementioned foosball table. A pool table is good too, although by the time you figure in the amount of space needed around it, it starts looking expensive. You’ve almost got to dedicate a room to it, and if you’re paying Manhattan real estate costs, that isn’t always easy to do. The local pub may be a better option.
• Get a bar. Actually, I’m not kidding. Bamboo Worldwide in Chicago did this, and they use it for both after work gatherings, letting loose, and parties. Apparently, one of the employees even liked it enough that she got married at company HQ.

And, of course, ask your employees what they’d like. You might also consider giving them a budget for toys; e.g. you’ll reimburse any toy purchase up to $50. So if they’re out shopping some afternoon and they see something the office absolutely must have, then they can just buy it.

Other thoughts? Leave a comment.

(*) A reader wrote in to say that you actually CAN just go down to Wal-Mart and buy a foosball table. But most stores don’t have them in stock, so you’re looking at a special order followed by freight delivery. You might just be better off ordering from the website.