Tonight is my company’s holiday party. I should say former company’s holiday party. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom I worked at this particular station for nearly a decade (that’s an eternity in the television news business). Since I still do some freelance work for them I do receive invitations to the occasional party. However, since I am so behind on my holiday to-do list I opted to stay home this year. Which means I will be missing out on the big gift swap. (It’s like a pseudo-Secret Santa).
It really is meant to provide a good laugh more than a good gift. For instance, one year I received a frozen gingerbread house. My other noteworthy gift swap presents include: a Homer Simpson tie, a fondue machine (it didn’t plug in, rather it required the use of a votive candle to melt the cheese), a rhinestone encrusted pink dog leash (I don’t have any pets), and two years ago I got an envelope, a letter opener and two tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters. (See what I mean.)
But, when it comes to wacky office gifts it seems I may have nothing on some other poor souls… I mean workers. Recently, a specialized staffing service surveyed 250 advertising and marketing executives about their most off-the-wall office gifts. Those surveyed were asked, “What is the most unusual or unique gift item you’ve ever heard of an employee giving a colleague?”
Here are some of their responses:
· A life jacket
· A bag of frozen potatoes
· A stuffed rattlesnake
· A used, dirty vase
· A carton of cigarettes — for a nonsmoker
· A stained potholder
· A full-size bust of Gene Simmons from KISS
· A life-size poster of John Wayne
· A full-size statue of Cher
· A personalized song created by the gift-giving employee about another employee
· One person gave out gold stars
· A resume
In short I would say odd gift giving happens everywhere. I mean look at those survey responses. They certainly reflect the cheap, the ugly, the self-centered, the thoughtless, and in some instances the VERY creative.
In my next blog I will provide some tips for gift-giving in a business setting–none of them appear on the aforementioned list.
What was the wackiest gift you ever received from a co-worker?
Related Articles:
Office Party Etiquette—Seven Tips To Preserve Your Professional Image
The Office Christmas Party—To Go Or Not To Go
Why You Shouldn’t Slack-On The Job-Around The Holidays
Top 15 Unusual Excuses For Not Showing Up To Work