I missed that part after reliving that gift exchange misery. It's only unimaginative if you run into Walmart or Target and give a card. There's no thought in that unless you know that person LOVES those stores. It would be nifty if a card was purchased from a place that you know the receipient loves, ie Barnes & Noble, Sephora, Caribou Coffee, or Apple Store like Soror sigmadiva said.

Someone just mentioned a company potluck Christmas party. That's a decent idea for a company party, but it comes off badly when the employees are supposed to pay $10 per person to bring dishes to someone's community clubhouse like at a friend's job. How are you really gonna make me PAY to bring stuff? My friend didn't mention alcohol, etc. being supplied by the company *smh*

haha--it's unanimous! I'll go with a gift card. Now, I just need to figure out which store to choose..

ETA: thanks for the insight!

:) My boss gets all the employees Borders gift cards. Best gift ever. I stay in Borders.

We're getting A Chick-fil-a biscuit, A fruit cup, and something else. That's our Christmas celebration and gift. Far cry from last year's breakfast smorgasboard followed by a great movie and popcorn and soda (yes, immediately after breakfast). Honestly, I'd rather get a Barnes & Noble gift card or $5 on my check.

Bah Humbug!

Whew...we survived our Secret Santa exchange...too bad some people can't follow directions and leave gifts ANONYMOUS, thus "Secret" Santa!

i wish i was at my old job. they straight up PARTIED on a regular basis (under the guise of entertaining clients or strengthening partnerships)... then they went all out for the holiday parties.

one year the official party was weekday brunch cruise on the spirit of washington, then my unit had an afterparty next door to a club called H2O (at 2 in the afternoon!), then we all went back to the office to work for a few hours and went out AGAIN for dinner and drinks. i think the only money i spent that day was for the metro ride.

fast forward 3 years... today, my holiday party was a dessert bar complete with punch, sheet cake, and a fruit platter @ $6 per person.