Imagine, if you will, the delight of getting as your office Secret Santa present....a box of Hot Pockets. Or a single chess piece.  This is the psychological torture heaped on millions of American workers who are already logging in a record high of 47 hours per week.  How much more do they need to see their coworkers? Especially the ones bearing awkward gifts?  That’s why the sometimes excruciating tradition of holiday parties is becoming endangered – not that many will miss it. The Secret Santa, drinking and flood of sugary, cheesy food is usually enough to grinchify the most chipper of us.  The number of companies having holiday parties dropped to 88% from 96% in 2013, according to a survey of employers conducted by Battalia Winston.  Sadly, not too many companies are doing it to limit social torture or the unforgettable images of drunken, awkward dancing. It’s only about money.  “Companies became more economical during the recession, and it’s possible that financial restraint, even when it’s not required, will be the new standard,” said Dale Winston, chairwoman and CEO of the company.  Of the companies that are having a holiday party, 70% will limit guests to employees only and about 43% will celebrate during lunch. About 62% of the companies will not be giving their employees any gifts.  Just because companies are not giving gifts themselves doesn’t mean none will be exchanged, of course. One in five employees intend to buy gifts for their coworkers and bosses, spending $25 or less on each gift.  Bosses, on the other hand, are slightly more generous, with 40% of them purchasing gift for their employees. But don’t get excited yet.  Historically, bosses and coworkers are not exactly the best gift givers.  Case in point - some of the gifts making CareerBuilder’s list of worst gifts this year were:  If it were up to the employees, there would be no holiday party and no awkward gift changes. (CareerBuilder’s survey of employees actually suggests there are more holiday parties, which could represent a misperception).  Instead, employees want more Christmas bonuses. That’s what 96% of employees would like to see this Christmas.  We remember our worst Christmas party:  About five or six years back, the general manager of the restaurant I worked at hired strippers for the office holiday party. He wasn’t working that night, but I was. Imagine being the designated manager at your office party. The strippers didn’t help make things any smoother. I spent the entire evening yelling at my - by then drunk - co-workers to “please not touch the strippers.”  And the strippers? They were amused and flattered with my concern.
American workers get bizarre gifts from colleagues: a box of Hot Pockets, a single chess piece. The good news: more companies are striking out this dismal tradition. Share yours.