'A block of wood instead of a bonus': The worst and funniest corporate gifts workers have been given in lieu of money

JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor

Jun 23, 2024 3:00 PM EDT

One of the five love languages is gift-giving. It's a nice way to show someone you care without having to say anything, and it's usually the thought behind the gift that touches you more than the gift itself. You appreciate that they thought of you, picked something out, and presented it to you without you asking.

This rule, though, doesn't apply when it comes to company gifts. Since often they don't really know you or what you like, corporate gifts can fall pretty flat. But even worse than that, sometimes the gifts can be insulting, especially when a cash bonus would have seemed more appropriate. The subreddit r/antiwork is full of these gifting horror stories, and we have some of the best (aka worst) ones here in one thread. Read on and be grateful you don't work for these companies. And share your corporate gifting horror stories if you have any.