Well, last night was our annual Christmas dinner for the small contracting company I work for. As usual, it was at a swanky steak place - Morton’s - and the dinner was the bomb.
My co-worker/comrade and I had speculated earlier this week on how she was going to top last year’s gift - some very nice Samsonite genuine leather attaché cases. We figured we’d topped it out with that, and we’d get something fairly decent.
Boy, were we wrong.
After the table had been cleared, she has some of the waiters come in bearing Office Depot bags bursting with brightly colored boxes.
Containing Compaq iPAQ PDAs.
For each of us.
I have no idea what we did to deserve these high-tech toys, but next year we figure we’re gonna get Land Rovers, the way things are going.
Sweeeet gift!!!
I am dubious about what if anything we will receive. I wasn’t there but apparently last year went down like this:
(4 ppl in office plus owner and his wife)
Day before Xmas, ppl in office give owner and wife nice but not extravagant gift, boss’ wife gets funny look, takes loooong lunch, at end of day everyone has $1500 gift certificate to Marshall Fields.
This year, the senior sales rep gets an email from Boss’ wife that they do not want a gift from employees this year, there is no sign of an office party (in past years there were nice ones and us employees are actually getting together on the 18th because we alll like each other and will enjoy it boss or no), and one of our number is in imminent danger of losing their job.
So, any of your coworkers wanna sell their Ipaq? I’d love one!
I am so jealous, Olentzero. For Christmas, I got an insurance price increase, a raise freeze, and a denial of my request for an office chair that doesn’t act like a bucking bronco every time I sit. I did hear a rumor that we might all get a mini loaf of cranberry bread (one can only hope).
Working for an education institution, I don’t get any kind of bonus or special present from our Superintendent. I will probably get a nice holiday card.
[Yorkshireman]
At least you have the chance of getting a kick in the crotch! When I was a lad, we used to dream of getting a kick in the crotch! We had to make do with harsh language!
[/Yorkshireman]
Rumor has it that not only are we not getting the big country club party this year (that happens every three years or so, and last year was one such year), the immediate boss – the owner’s daughter – has suggested that rather than their providing coldcuts for an in-office party, we organize our own potluck, “since you all enjoy that so much.” Well, yeah, our department does that pretty regularly – and will be doing it for an Xmas party – but that’s organized by us for us.
twickster47: For our office holiday parties (as opposed to the Company Party) we usually have a pot-luck. Generally the VP of the department will have roast turkey and spiral-cut ham brought in as the main course and everyone else will contribute some sort of dish.
I’ll be gone when we have our office party this year.
heh. This is the time of year I have to listen to my friends bitch and moan about how crappy their corporate Xmas gifts were, and how pathetic their bonuses - me, whose best corporate gift ever was a pocket calculator with the company logo, and whose highest-ever bonus was $0.00 -
Nice to see gratitude instead. Enjoy your PDA.
:: wondering if a swift kick in the nads would bring on the holiday spirit for me ::
About a month ago, we got an e-mail inviting us to our annual Holiday Party, to be held this year at a beautiful new luxury hotel. Last week, we got an e-mail telling us that because of “the situation” (they just laid off about 10% of our workforce), it would be inappropriate to have a Holiday Party. Two days ago, we got an e-mail telling us that we could have a potluck, assigning us what to bring alphabetically, and suggesting that we each bring a $15.00 gift for a gift exchange.
Normally I have to attend the Holiday Party, because I’m the official photographer, but I’m not sure the unoffical BYOEverything lunch in the conference room requires a photographer.
Congratulations on your iPAQ, though Olentzero. It’s nice to hear that some companies are having a happy holiday season.
Be thankfull if ya get anything at all. All I will get is a day off without pay! And if they decide not to open the rest of the week I will get 3 days off without pay…
No party, no pay, THAT does a LOT for holiday spirit!!
Ever year I’ve worked for my company I’ve gotten a Christmas bonus. Every year but this one. This year I was going to use it to put in a pool in the backyard. But instead I get enrolled in a jelly of the month club.
<cue insane rageful swear-fest>
Oh, so sue me. I like Christmas Vacation
My company has already had their party. No gifts, we have doorprizes instead. I wasn’t even in on those though. Only full timers get invited to the party. I’m considered part time so I don’t get an invite. However, a full time coworker in my dept. always asks me to go with him, since neither one of us have girlfriends.
They’re getting stingier too, only about 20 doorprizes for a party of about 300.They used to have more.
The party was fun. It was in a museum. (The Harry Houdini exhibit was awesome) The food was good and we had a good time. A bunch of us went to the movies after the party. We’re planning another party at one of my coworkers houses.
And I get my bonus check next week. Which means I no longer have an excuse to put off my X-mas shopping.
I got a $10 Blockbuster gift card. Oh, and laid off.
I have a friend who owns a small insurance agency. He gives the BEST company parties. One year he did a sort of Ren Faire type party in his gorgeous huge yard up in (coastal) Maine. I was the serving wench and my BF was the jester. We did a show, and played games and got silly drunk and feasted on (whole) roast pig. They all got killer jackets and crowns and princess hats. I thought it was a lovely way to appreciate your workers.
It’s nice to see that your bosses appreciate you - I’m glad you got a really neat gift.
Last year, my boss at my old job gave the physicians in the division some boxes of very nice gourmet cookies. Considering that one of them becomes ill when he eats wheat-based products, I knew that the guy’s secretary - who is very sharp about remembering such things - hadn’t picked out his gifts for him.
Olent, I think it’s wonderful that you got such a great show of appreciation from your employer. I used to work for a company that treated its employees very well, too. You enjoy that gift. You have worked hard all year, and deserve a bit of joy.
I’d love one!
