Does anyone want to share how their work Christmas parties went, if you've had one?

We had a departmental party tonight, at a local restaurant. It was pretty low-key... As is the tradition with this group, we did the "White Elephant" game where everyone gets to pick and/or steal presents.

I brought some really nice chocolates... they were from a local shop, hand-made truffles. They're really yummy... interesting flavors... plus *hand-made* and local. I thought they were a lovely idea.

Nobody picked them... they were literally the *last* present anyone chose to unwrap. When picking presents... everyone would look at my present, grab it, and *shake* it (omg! The poor truffles!) - then put it back down and pick something else.

The person who finally got them only took the box b/c the last person "stole" his gift... so he got this one. When he opened it, he was saying, "surely there's a gift card!? Where's the gift card? What? No gift card?" and I thought someone said that "somebody cheaped out".

I'm so disappointed. I actually had put a bit of thought into the gift, and thought that it would be something that most people would really like (especially since most people I know have too much crap and don't need more stuff cluttering up their houses). Plus, as I said, these weren't run-of-the-mill supermarket chocolates, they were really artisan, lovely, and I picked out all the flavors!

Sigh. So disappointing.

The gift I ended up with was a cute collection of things related to drinks (i.e. a book with recipes for mixed drinks, wine charms, etc). Super cute, but I don't drink at all! So, I felt sad... and gave away a few of the items to friends at the party, so they'd at least go to people who could use them.

Overall, it was a pretty depressing get together. I usually skip the office party, but I went this year to be a "team player". I feel like I fit in even LESS after this though!

This is how the holidays make me feel --> !!!

So... does your workplace do anything for the holidays? Parties? Gift swaps? Pot lucks? Are you a "yeah! Workplace party! Let's do it!" kind of person? Or more like me... ("OMG.. please no!")