Office Gifts Gone WILD!

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

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:

Top 10 Office Party No-Nos

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

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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