Thanks, but no thanks

A harpoon, homemade pickles and a jar of sand – These are some holiday gifts some employees have received over the years. While nearly a quarter of workers will have received holiday gifts from colleagues over the past month, they probably shouldn’t be surprised to find rather odd items inside the wrapping paper.

A study by CareerBuilder shows that among the other memorable gifts are:

• CD of the co-worker's recorded songs
• Dolphin oven mitt
• Four rolls of toilet paper
• Can of wasp spray
• Jar of sand
• Conch shell
• Lava lamp filled with fake fish
• Expired body lotion
• Book about kittens

Overall, the survey found that more than 80% of workers planning to give gifts were prepared to spend US$25 on each holiday present they bought for the office, while 38% expected to spend $10 or less. Ten per cent of employees went the cheap route, spending less than $5 on each present.