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Corporate gifts have become a bit of a standard among many companies in terms of employee motivation. Whether it’s a personalized birthday gift or a gift given to everyone over the holidays, it’s definitely a great way to show the employees that their hard work and loyalty to the company have not been ignored.
Unless you’re like these folk on Reddit who themselves, or their friends and family, had to endure getting gifts that leave much—much—to be desired. It does beg the question of whether getting nothing would’ve been a better choice.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
My mom’s boss gave everyone a pen (a really cr*ppy, normal pen) with their names printed on normal white printer paper that was scotch taped down the side of the pen. This sounds made up even to me as I type it, but it’s still in our junk drawer.
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#2
Not me, but one year the company my brother works for gave each employee a CD of the owner playing Christmas songs on the harmonica.
#3
A small, nickel-sized, heart-shaped rock sent in the mail. It was supposed to represent their appreciation for the extra work during Covid. All I could think of was Charlie Brown trick or treating, “I got a rock.”
THEVibingShark92 11 months ago
Pro life tip: Start sending your employees random stuff you find in your driveway instead of making them feel appreciated.
It goes without saying that corporate gifts are a good idea, if done right. It was reported that 42% of businesses claim relationship management is their top reason for why they’re gifting things.
Corporate gifts are considered a pretty effective tool for humanizing the company and thus strengthening coworker relationships.
#4
That year the company decided it wasn’t going to provide basic office supplies for the break room. Coffee, tea, eating utensils, napkins, nothing. That year for Christmas we all got a brown paper bags fashioned like lunches. Inside was a metal straw, cloth napkin, a child sized set of plastic cutlery that fit in a travel case, a copy paste printed piece of paper with food puns in relation to our job, and a single fun sized hundred grand candy bar. This Fortune 500 company had over a billion in raw profit that year. Oh, and the cutlery ended up getting recalled due to some terrible forever chemicals in them.
#5
A letter from the CEO telling us how he is going to celebrate Christmas with his family up north to go skiing. That was all.
#6
Two free tickets to a cinema. The issue was that the closest cinema in that particular chain was about 800 miles away from me.
Besides that, corporate gifts are a meaningful way to express appreciation for the hard work employees do. Not only are the employees happy to be appreciated, the company can benefit from it too with increased business growth.
And it’s not just employees—corporate gifts work just as well with business partners and inter-company relationships too.
#7
An email that only upper management would be getting the end of year bonus (sent to entire company by accident instead of just upper management). Then laid off 2 weeks into the new year.
Found out from a friend in the company a little while later that the board of directors held a vote. They keep their car allowances at the expense of a wave of layoffs, or lose their car allowances and 10-15 people get to keep their jobs. Pretty sure it was unanimous.
No matter how many times a company says you’re family, just remember that it’s the type of family that would gladly cut your throat to make sure the fat cats get to eat.
#8
Jelly of the Month membership instead of my Christmas bonus. I wanted to put a pool in the backyard but nope.
#9
Noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones. I'm sure they were good and useful to some people, but I'm legally deaf.
Other reasons to use corporate gifts include providing an opportunity to stand out as a company, overcome physical distance barriers (especially in light of remote work and the pandemic), and it allows everyone to focus more on the positive. That last one in turn can foster a more effective relationship if trouble arises.
#10
I worked at a hospital in the billing department. I got a travel thingy of hand sanitizer. Meanwhile, the IT department who shared our building got North Face puffy jackets. Jokes on them though, it was Christmas 2019 and I had hand sanitizer for COVID. 😭
#11
We were told we were receiving our Christmas bonuses soon, and then we were all given a poinsettia. The poinsettia in itself wasn’t so bad, mine is actually still alive years later, but the fact that they had the audacity to call it a bonus was absurd.
So, what’s the best strategy at approaching corporate gifts? Assuming a budget is set and the logistics are all figured out, all that’s really left is to pick out a gift, to make it personal, and then to put the plan into motion.
In terms of what to pick, the short answer is it depends. On what? You have to pick out a gift that your employees will actually like.
#13
Nurses Week 2022 (height of Delta wave COVID). We were given rocks on a keychain. The rock was engraved with the word “Hope”. We might have gotten some chapstick too.
#14
Not me but a friend - all staff at the hospital received a kitchen scrubby for Christmas. Not even themed. Just random browns, greens, pinks, and yellows... seems like the boss bought dollar store multi-packs and opened them to give everyone one piece.
#15
New owners this year. Old owner gave us 10% of our salary as a year end bonus. New guys gave us $100 amazon cards that were drained by the time we got them. Everyone was pissed but didn't wanna say anything so I did. He asked everyone and they claimed to be delighted with their cards. Spineless bastards. Lmao.
The general rule is to find gifts that would be both personalized and practical. One of the more popular approaches is choice-based gifting, which commonly takes shape in the form of gift cards.
Alternatively, you can compile a curated collection for employees to choose from.
#16
An ultra-religious self-help book so we could become less miserable, incompetent and immoral.
Michael Largey 11 months ago
Religion? Ok, put up a big poster saying "The laborer is worthy of his hire. 1 Timothy 5:18"
#17
Teacher here.
One year, as our Christmas bonus, we got a defective plastic keychain that read "I love teching!" Spelled exactly like that.
Normally, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.. but after the s**t we had been through, with zero support from admin, s**t pay, disrespect, etc. the keychain set us all off. It was adding insult to injury.
Like, not only is our "bonus" a keychain that didn't even work (the hasp had no spring), but the spelling error meant that a) someone didn't even check them when they arrived, and b) someone put them in every teacher mailbox without looking at them.
Admin sent out an email that basically said turn your keychains back in so they could send them back and get corrected ones. So, adding insult to injury.
I appreciated the sentiment, but all of us could've done without that.
A bonus on top of all this gifting would be to make sure that sustainability is taken into account. So, organic and eco-friendly materials is the way to go. Well, that, and also if you do end up getting something that one person absolutely hates and will likely get rid of it, at least the carbon footprint is minimized. But let’s hope that’s not the case.
#19
During the pandemic, my partner’s company sent employees each an envelope through the mail with a sticker in it for some appreciation week I laughed so hard at that. It literally was a sticker that said “happy appreciation week”.
Michael Largey 11 months ago
Well, they truly and sincerely expressed how much they appreciated their employees, didn't they?
#20
I was re-gifted a gift basket given to my boss by a client and he forgot to remove the card that was addressed to him.
It helps to add a personal note to the recipient. It doesn’t have to be a long message—heck, it doesn’t even have to be from the boss per se. From management or from the company can suffice, as long as it shows appreciation. Explain why you are sending the gift, make it personal, and sign it.
#23
Expired food.
geezeronthehill 11 months ago
Every year we got Christmas hams. One year there was a spoilage problem with part of the batch that they bought. Boss came out of his cubby and shouted "Everybody smell your hams!" Production ground to a halt as everyone burst out laughing. Boss got redfaced, went back to his cubby.
#24
A pack of 10 tissues at the onset of COVID.
But if gift cards don’t sound like the best idea, consider compiling a gift box that might include some of the following items:
Hydro Flask, reusable lunch containers, work essentials for remote work, DoorDash coupons, mug warmers, plants like succulents, personalized alcohol, subscriptions to learning or self-development platforms, wireless chargers, books…
#25
Not me but a coworker at last year's raffle got a Nintendo DS cleaning kit. For a normal Nintendo DS, not even a 3DS. They aren't being made anymore.
#26
I used to work in a record shop in the UK and usually got a bottle of wine as a Christmas bonus. Then the company was bought by Virgin and our Christmas bonus was a copy of Richard Branson's (Virgin's CEO) autobiography.
#27
My last job the company broke all sorts of financial records and gave everyone a very expensive glass thing with a decal of the refinery. Not only did it suck but all employees ended having to pay 75 dollars in taxes on it. So the 'job well done' cost 75 bucks.
… wireless speakers, item tags, noise canceling headphones, beauty and health care packages, eye wear or other accessories, DIY boxes, coffee, tea and anything in between.
And then don’t forget to slap that personal note on top of it and you’re golden. And if not, leave a feedback form and improve upon it.
#28
5 dollar Subway gift card. My boss made me come in on an off day to pick up because, “she did not want me missing the company bonus”. I really wonder if our managers need how much was on the cards? We talked about it for months.
#29
A long sleeve denim shirt with the company logo in the front above one of the front pockets..
In Florida. Plus we couldn’t wear denim at work so the only time we’d be able to wear the company shirt is on our own time (not happening) or when we’d have dress down day (again not happening).
When a coworker inquired where we could wear this since we can’t wear it to work they listed places (like a BBQ joint, the movies, etc.) and said we should be grateful since most places don’t give their employees gifts.
It was a call center. Could’ve given a blanket (since it was cold in the center), travel mug, anything except a shirt we can’t wear.
#30
At a company Christmas party they would raffle off prizes; one prize for each person. They guy in front of me won a Budweiser mini fridge with LED lights. The guy after me won a LG flat-screen TV. My prize? A Pepsi baseball hat with broken snaps.
Panda On My Balcony 11 months ago
I got a nylon T-shirt too small for me with a local rugby team logo on in our Christmas draw. My teammate landed a beautiful $200 piece of chinaware I'd been eyeing up in the shops for months. I'm still mildly envious, especially as he didn't appreciate the item he got.
So, ever got something from your job that made you silently say “what the flip?” Share your experiences and thoughts on anything you’ve read here today in the comment section below!
And if you want more insultingly stupid gifts and perks that companies thought of giving, then look no further than this article.
#31
An email from the boss saying he is donating "on behalf of the company" to a charity he is a chairman of.
#32
A compulsory invitation to the holiday party.
Technically, I wasn't required to attend but it was a career-killer if you didn't. I had to spend money on a dress just for the party since I didn't have anything that was suitable, so not only did it cost *me* money, but I had to spend a precious evening pretending I liked my coworkers.
Jenna Kay 11 months ago
I had to attend several of these for my husband’s former employer. You were expected to be there, with your spouse. I knew almost no one, had to chit chat with execs that were out of touch with reality, politely decline boozy advances from those who went to the cash bar, and eat sad cold food, because the upper level people were always served first 😫. My poor hubby would be so embarrassed and end up taking me out somewhere nice when we managed to slip away!
#33
A pink slip. And I don't mean lingerie.
TableAssault:
A pink slip (in the US anyway) can be a notice of termination of employment or the title to a vehicle. I’m guessing OP didn’t get a new car as a gift, so… got fired.
#34
A cheap plastic key ring with the company logo on it after working 16-hour days for months to win a massive contract. No overtime paid either.
Susan Bosse 11 months ago
Idk what country you're in but, if it's the US, I hope you reported them to the Labor Board. That's highly illegal.
#35
The first company I worked for out of college gave everyone a “free turkey” around the holidays. It wasn’t really a free turkey, it was a $25 gift certificate to a grocery store that was inconvenient for 75% of the people working there. And $25 didn’t cover a turkey, of course. Turns out, the company owners had a stake in the store.
Diana Lucas 11 months ago
A smaller turkey would definitely be under $25. A very large turkey for a dozen people or so would be more than $25.
Load More Replies...
Russell Rieckenberg 11 months ago
Was the card only good for a turkey, or was it just a $25 gift card?
Glen Ellyn 11 months ago
Good question. Still, if the store is inconvenient for most AND the company had a stake in it, well...is that "feathering your own nest" or something like that?
Load More Replies...
Seadog 11 months ago
Reminds me of a company I worked for in the 90's. Not a bonus or holiday thing but they changed health insurance to a plan that dictated who you could see. None of the approved doctors were within 100 miles of any of the staff. They had to rewrite the policy to allow for out of program physicians.
Spec Tater 11 months ago
Jesus! $25 for a turkey?! Hardly. But you could get a small chicken, a fryer maybe.
Joann Hart 11 months ago
They do drop in price the closer you get to the holiday but you then get what you get (not as many choices in size)
#36
A bottle of our restaurant’s “signature” steak sauce that no one really liked and that we all had free access to all day, every day at work. This was instead of the standard $100 cash bonus we normally got yearly.
Michael Largey 11 months ago
I'm surprised that the boss didn't find his car's fuel tank full of steak sauce by the next day.
#37
Worked for FritoLay. Went to the corporate headquarters and in my hotel room was a bag of FritoLay snack, all expired.
#38
Welcome back in office postcard after the pandemic work from home period. We’ve got it minutes after receiving termination letters.
Like I was fully expecting it but still it was in a poor taste.
#39
Nothing. And I work for a giant company. Not surprised though.
#40
The MD of the company bought himself a boat ‘for the company’. We didn’t get a bonus that year.
What do you think ?
Caroline Nagel 11 months ago
I'm so happy I live in a European country where it is normal that as good as every employee receives a thirteenth month pay at the end of the year. Thanks to our unions. I'm sure all these happened in the USA. The 'you are not better than slaves'-vibe is strong in these stories.
Maria Hornberger 11 months ago
That's because all the stupid asses in the US voted out unions.
Load More Replies...
Lydsylou (she/her) 11 months ago
I got nothing but tbf at the restaurant where I work I do get free snacks, unlimited free drinks, free breakfast and lunch and a discount on food when I'm not working so that's basically my gift
Bobert Robertson 11 months ago
Wasn't really a "gift" but my former boss handed me a rope and suggested I use it to hang myself because the team i oversaw had poor performance one weekend.
Guess Undheit 11 months ago
I live in an Asian country. Every year, there's a big company dinner, and three years ago it got moved to a place with a fixed menu, they choose for you. They KNOW I have lethal food allergies, and they choose food I can't eat. Then they ask "why don't you go?!?!?!"
Freya the Wanderer 11 months ago
I wouldn't be at all surprised if a lot of people noped away from a lot of these companies and their stupid, greedy bosses. A bonus should be a bonus, something useful and appreciated! It doesn't have to be expensive, just utile and of good quality. Finally, nothing beats cold, hard cash.
Gavin Johnson 11 months ago
One place gave me a slab of beer. I don’t drink alcohol and live alone. Another gave me a company shirt, just like the other five they gave me to wear at work. My favourite bad one was a voucher to spend at one of the other hotels in our chain, it wasn’t enough to cover one night for one person.
CG 11 months ago
Nowadays at my current job, we either get a Christmas bonus, a bottle of wine, or we go out to dinner with the company president, who is an awesome guy. At my old job, I got a $50 gift card for a restaurant chain that I told my boss that I didn't like. And it was only valid at one location that was an hour away from where I lived at the time.
Eric Johansen 11 months ago
Retired after 23 years as Pres/CEO. Had relocated but remained on staff to assist in transition. My entire family was visiting when a box arrived. Opened it to find a cheesy plaque with the wrong name engraved. Um...thanks?
Rhonda West 11 months ago
I worked at a Staples call centre, and for my two year anniversary there, I was rewarded a cheap plastic clock that broke when I tried to put in the batteries. I recognized that it came from a company that supplied us with those "gifts with purchase" items that we gave away. I looked up the price; they were $2 each with a minimum purchase of 500. One of my coworkers quipped "it's symbolic; they're telling us our time is worth nothing."
Noodlepillow07 11 months ago
I got given a toy cow once. We were farming. The first year was a bottle if wine which I liked. The 2nd year, on account of having had a baby, we got a toy cow. A toy cow for year of working at all hours, on all weather conditions and low pay. We left after that.
Clint Dougherty 11 months ago
My wife was a university professor, and was generally the last one to leave on any given day. On the last day before Christmas, she was the only professor left in the building when the president made the rounds, ostensibly to give everyone their Christmas gift from the university: a pencil. Not a nice mechanical one, a plain, wood pencil. The president was carrying a huge bowl of them, and said, "Just one!"... to the only person in the building.
Aiden Brough 11 months ago
My old boss died and then quickly my colleague (I found him dead) I helped to get the company I had worked for for almost 30 years sold on behalf of his widow and his son. And despite them both getting a substantial payout, all I received was what I could see with my eyes closed and a subsequent 3 months off with pretty dreadful depression... And they've never been in contact with me since. I learnt the hard way it's better to spend 5 minutes on your feet than a life time on your knees (as many who have encountered since that episode have found out).
Two_rolling_black_eyes 11 months ago
Four years in a row I got a "Christmas" card with nothing on the front. Inside was a notification that a donation had been made in the name of [employee name] to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Although corporate was in Cincinnati, I worked and lived in Colorado. Second, both my first and last name were misspelled every year. I couldn't even claim the $5 donation for my taxes since the name was wrong.
TheBlueBitterfly 11 months ago
I work at a tiny, non-corporate convenience store. Every year the owner gifts us cash ($200) and a large bottle of alcohol. Last year it was Crown Royal, this year Parrot Bay pineapple. I don't drink. 👍
Natalia 11 months ago
I sincerely hope you're not complaining. You get $200 and something you can gift to someone else.
Load More Replies...
Israel Martinez 11 months ago
One time, the whole staff got a book of poems … still have (“What the Living do”) … not bad, but the better gift was a leather-bound passport holder from a London company … still have it and the only complaint is that you have to take it out for scanning … sadly, only has one stamp …
kansasmagic 11 months ago
These people just don't get it. S****y Christmas bonuses are just incentive to GRIND HARDER.
Caroline Nagel 11 months ago
I'm so happy I live in a European country where it is normal that as good as every employee receives a thirteenth month pay at the end of the year. Thanks to our unions. I'm sure all these happened in the USA. The 'you are not better than slaves'-vibe is strong in these stories.
Maria Hornberger 11 months ago
That's because all the stupid asses in the US voted out unions.
Load More Replies... Lydsylou (she/her) 11 months ago
I got nothing but tbf at the restaurant where I work I do get free snacks, unlimited free drinks, free breakfast and lunch and a discount on food when I'm not working so that's basically my gift
Bobert Robertson 11 months ago
Wasn't really a "gift" but my former boss handed me a rope and suggested I use it to hang myself because the team i oversaw had poor performance one weekend.
Guess Undheit 11 months ago
I live in an Asian country. Every year, there's a big company dinner, and three years ago it got moved to a place with a fixed menu, they choose for you. They KNOW I have lethal food allergies, and they choose food I can't eat. Then they ask "why don't you go?!?!?!"
Freya the Wanderer 11 months ago
I wouldn't be at all surprised if a lot of people noped away from a lot of these companies and their stupid, greedy bosses. A bonus should be a bonus, something useful and appreciated! It doesn't have to be expensive, just utile and of good quality. Finally, nothing beats cold, hard cash.
Gavin Johnson 11 months ago
One place gave me a slab of beer. I don’t drink alcohol and live alone. Another gave me a company shirt, just like the other five they gave me to wear at work. My favourite bad one was a voucher to spend at one of the other hotels in our chain, it wasn’t enough to cover one night for one person.
CG 11 months ago
Nowadays at my current job, we either get a Christmas bonus, a bottle of wine, or we go out to dinner with the company president, who is an awesome guy. At my old job, I got a $50 gift card for a restaurant chain that I told my boss that I didn't like. And it was only valid at one location that was an hour away from where I lived at the time.
Eric Johansen 11 months ago
Retired after 23 years as Pres/CEO. Had relocated but remained on staff to assist in transition. My entire family was visiting when a box arrived. Opened it to find a cheesy plaque with the wrong name engraved. Um...thanks?
Rhonda West 11 months ago
I worked at a Staples call centre, and for my two year anniversary there, I was rewarded a cheap plastic clock that broke when I tried to put in the batteries. I recognized that it came from a company that supplied us with those "gifts with purchase" items that we gave away. I looked up the price; they were $2 each with a minimum purchase of 500. One of my coworkers quipped "it's symbolic; they're telling us our time is worth nothing."
Noodlepillow07 11 months ago
I got given a toy cow once. We were farming. The first year was a bottle if wine which I liked. The 2nd year, on account of having had a baby, we got a toy cow. A toy cow for year of working at all hours, on all weather conditions and low pay. We left after that.
Clint Dougherty 11 months ago
My wife was a university professor, and was generally the last one to leave on any given day. On the last day before Christmas, she was the only professor left in the building when the president made the rounds, ostensibly to give everyone their Christmas gift from the university: a pencil. Not a nice mechanical one, a plain, wood pencil. The president was carrying a huge bowl of them, and said, "Just one!"... to the only person in the building.
Aiden Brough 11 months ago
My old boss died and then quickly my colleague (I found him dead) I helped to get the company I had worked for for almost 30 years sold on behalf of his widow and his son. And despite them both getting a substantial payout, all I received was what I could see with my eyes closed and a subsequent 3 months off with pretty dreadful depression... And they've never been in contact with me since. I learnt the hard way it's better to spend 5 minutes on your feet than a life time on your knees (as many who have encountered since that episode have found out).
Two_rolling_black_eyes 11 months ago
Four years in a row I got a "Christmas" card with nothing on the front. Inside was a notification that a donation had been made in the name of [employee name] to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Although corporate was in Cincinnati, I worked and lived in Colorado. Second, both my first and last name were misspelled every year. I couldn't even claim the $5 donation for my taxes since the name was wrong.
TheBlueBitterfly 11 months ago
I work at a tiny, non-corporate convenience store. Every year the owner gifts us cash ($200) and a large bottle of alcohol. Last year it was Crown Royal, this year Parrot Bay pineapple. I don't drink. 👍
Natalia 11 months ago
I sincerely hope you're not complaining. You get $200 and something you can gift to someone else.
Load More Replies... Israel Martinez 11 months ago
One time, the whole staff got a book of poems … still have (“What the Living do”) … not bad, but the better gift was a leather-bound passport holder from a London company … still have it and the only complaint is that you have to take it out for scanning … sadly, only has one stamp …
kansasmagic 11 months ago
These people just don't get it. S****y Christmas bonuses are just incentive to GRIND HARDER.
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