Waste on joke Christmas gifts at work

[Crankin]

So, don't participate. Sounds like the obnoxious Yankee swap things I've had to endure.
As far as the restaurant, maybe just enjoy the ribs for one meal? Seriously, I don't eat that stuff hardly at all, but my DIL is the general manager of a very well known ribs place here; When we go there, I eat, and i don't worry about it. However, even this place has lots of vegetarian options. Eat a steak and be happy!

[Helene2013]

That is a bummer. In our team, we exchange a 20$ value gift. But we do have a list of 5 items we'd like to receive (not suprising I have put sports items at 1st items hihi). But people are also free to get what the want. And we also have the list over a month ahead of our xmas lunch so people have time to shop, and even get more for the bucks if they can find sales.

As for our lunch team, we always get to choose a very nice fun place taking into consideration those with food allergies. Always fun to be treated with "class". And we also have a huge all office xmas party (evening) with is very chic, with a band, prizes (the biggie is the full paid trip to x destination). Very nice of my job. But I don't go to the xmas big party. Not my type at all. People drool over this. The girls are already shopping for the dress (some bought it already!), etc. I would prefer to use that money (costing a fortune that party) so I can get what I want with the money they'd save by my not going. haha

Hubby said we're too spoiled as he gets none of this and I should appreciate it instead of complaining. haha His xmas lunch is paid from their activities team money earned throughout the year with sales of coffees, etc. All they get is a BBQ lunch at work!