So sorry that happened to you. Your OP was very well written and thought out, one of the better ones I’ve seen lately. I’d brush it up and send it to HR and see what they can do. Here’s hoping you get a big bump for being a trooper on this one.
It’s the thought that counts, why not pick up some gifts for you neice and nephew in January, and send them? Better late than not at all. Explain that you are very strapped and could not afford to get them a gift in December, but that you still wanted to get them something as soon as you could. I think they’ll just be glad to get a gift most likely.
It does seem unfair that you didn’t get your prize. 
Amen. I’ve never heard of any such thing happening at a company Christmas drawing. IME, they just hand it over the next day.
I’m sorry, that sucks. And yes, IMHO, it’s very unfair!! I wish you some good Karmic comeback.
I’ve heard of this happening. At my wife’s company Christmas party, they decided to change how the gifts would be done this year.
Last year, they called everybody by tables- the tables were numbered and the numbers drawn, so when your table number was called you got in line to pick a gift from an open (unwrapped) gift table.
This year, they did the drawings as you entered the door. My wife won a clothing bag with the company logo, and some items from a TV station in Erie PA (anyone ever watch Fox 66? I have a hat and T-shirt now.) After we sat down, another manager (she was recently promoted) informed her that this year, managers don’t get gifts- although they didn’t say anything at the table, this manager kept bringing the subject up whenever anyone came over to the table- making me pissed, although for my wife’s sake I remained quiet. (Everyone told my wife how rude the manager was the next day.)
There were additional drawings for grand prizes- our first year we won a video camera- but the Big Boss decided to keep everyone at the party, so he announced: If you are not here you don’t get the prize, and the prizes will be called out over the course of the evening, so stay and mingle.
There was nothing to do but dance to the DJ, who played wedding-style songs (typical reception stuff except for the schmaltzy tunes) or drink at the cash bar. Oh, and listen to shop talk. There’s nothing more boring than someone else’s job gossip.
The only lively point was the secretary who got soused and spent the evening showing off the tattoos on her thighs and trying to seduce the company president, who seemed not to mind until his wife stepped in.
The difference between this party and the OP’s was that no one worked the very next day, and you had a clear choice- stay to be eligible to win.
I hope that your message is listened to by your management, however. What they did just sucked.
My work party is tonight. I work tomorrow, just like everyone.
bjohn13, I really hope you stand up for yourself. You were screwed, and anyone you talk to is an idiot if they don’t recognize it. They probably didn’t think of that at the moment due to the fog of alcohol. They’re sober now, they’ll recognize it, and maybe they’ll even do something about it.