Sosuna-o-Lata

So, the gift I brought to my office party was The Clapper. What a HUGE hit that was! It was “stolen” until it couldn’t be “stolen” anymore. I ended up “stealing” a gift of assorted things. I figured it was safe and stuff I normally would use, a few gift cards for coffee, some movie passes and scratch tickets. When I arrived at home I checked out my gift further and was shocked. The spending range was $25-$35, hence the $28 Clapper. My gift consisted of two movie passes including a free large popcorn and two regular soft drinks (easily $20 or more), four $5 scratch tickets, three bags of candy, a $20 gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts and a $20 gift card to Starbucks. I figured what I went home with was worth at least $85!! Apparently I went home with the gift my boss brought. I’m going to have to watch him walk through the door with his gift next year!

My holiday office party is Wednesday night. Good food, good drink and lots of laughter, I usually have a great time. Every year we do a Yankee Swap (AKA White elephant gift exchange, Dirty Santa, Dirty/Thieving Elves) after dinner. I’ve participated the last 5 years and am unsure if I will tomorrow. I don’t have a gift yet as they raised the amount to spend on a gift. The last five years it has been in the $20-25 range and they upped it to $30-35. I have no idea why the increase but I, at first, said “Forget it, I won’t play. Money is tight, I have tons of kids in my family and I buy gifts for all. I usually walk away with something I can’t use.” Last year I came home with a Victoria’s Secret gift card, they don’t even carry my size in that store!

So now, as I sit here the night before, thinking about what I’m going to wear to this thing, I’m thinking maybe I should just suck it up and participate. I don’t want to be the only one sitting out of the fun (it is lots of fun).

Now I ask of you, if you are reading this post, for some suggestions. What non-gender specific gift do you get for a bunch of Lawyers and Paralegals? I have 2 hours between work and the party when I can shop and I have big mall and tons of shops in the area to chose from. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!