December 18, 2009

Employee Gifts

My husband has known for 365 days that he has to buy holiday gifts for his colleagues at work. I reminded him of this fact last month, as well as every day last week (in a nice, non-nagging way of course). For reasons unknown to man, the realization didn't hit him until yesterday afternoon during his lunch hour.

"I have to buy holiday gifts for the people in my office!" he screamed in panic over the phone.

"Where are you right now?" I asked.

He was slow to reveal that he was checking out flat screen television sets in Best Buy.

Sensing my annoyance, he feigned disbelief that a store that big doesn't sell Harry & David gift baskets.

"Half of the people in my office aren't going to be in next week!" he wailed. "Tomorrow is my last day to give them something!"

"That sounds very distressing," I replied. "What would you like me to do about it?"

The line got very quiet. "Can you at least think of ideas for me?" my husband wanted to know.



Of course, I was happy to oblige. I rattled off a long list of excellent suggestions. When I got to wearable blankets and Stephen Covey's latest book, he hung up on me.

****
Sound familiar? Anyone?

41 comments

That Kind of Girl said...

Four words: astronaut ice cream sandwiches.

Truly the most perfect and appropriate co-worker gift for any occasion.

Laura said...

Men. Biggest procrastinators in the world. Oy!

Emmy said...

What would those men do without us?? And why haven't they learned that and just listen.

Jenny said...

haha. story of my life! men... ahh...
Smith's has a great deal on Emerald Peanuts on sale for $1.50 w/ $1/1 peelies! that makes $.50/can peanuts for a great gift!

Meagan and John said...

noticed last night at walmart that you can get snuggies for kids and pets there...just saying

I on the other hand try and keep a closet full of givable items just for these occasions--plan on stocking it up the day after Christmas

Jenny said...

A world full of men would be a much simpler place at Christmas. No one would give presents, and no one would be around to care.

Confessions of a Mother, Lawyer & Crazy Woman said...

Just got back from last minute run to Target (along with 68,000 other shoppers) for last-minute teacher gifts because other room mom's husband forgot to drop them off. Do I sound bitter and cranky? Maybe a little? But yes, totally familiar. And do not think I did not consider a wearable blanket.

Anonymous said...

Saw a woman @ Walmart WEARING a Snuggie!!

Emz said...

The Snuggie - the best "white elephant" gift - e v e r !

Scot and Evie said...

Ack! This happened to me last night! The only thing open at that hour was the convenience stores. I suggested fast food gift cards, peanuts, lottery tickets, etc... I finally sold him on key fobs.

Melissa said...

At least yours acknowledges that he should buy a gift... If there wasn't a secret santa in the office, I very much doubt if mine would even recognize that he should be doing anything for anybody at all.... He also has NO CLUE about what things cost. So when somebody bought 2 gift baskets for my daughter and made all of the favors for her first birthday party and he complains about how much we spend on a gift for them... can I really help it if I take issue?!

Margaret said...

Gotta love how men act at times! My husband does the same things.

sivab said...

That snuggie looks so much more fashionable than the one my kids made me buy.

Cam said...

I'm confused. Is the Snuggie a bad gift? I got one for my wife. The woman on the box seems to enjoy it.

Kiki said...

oops! got my mil a snuggie for the holidays. old people are hard to buy for, they have everything already. hoping she likes it, but now i'm doubting the purchase. thanks.

Lisa said...

OMG! Your post just reminded me that I was supposed to buy a gift for my husband's EA and then I got sick... OOPS! Maybe we will do a Spa Finder e-gift card... their company is shut down all next week so today was our chance. BTW, I think a snuggie would be a great gift for a woman!

SarahMarie said...

My husband too is a procrastinator. I've been asking him since August what he wants for Christmas. He gave me his list exactly one week and two days before Christmas. All gifts require me to go to the MALL. I don't think so. I wonder if I can order him a Snuggie online?

Tina said...

Um...yeah! Last night about 7:30 as I am at Wal-Mart getting a last minute ingredient to make zucchini bread for my son's preschool teacher....hubby calls and "informs" me that "he" "should" get something for the other teachers on his team...all EIGHT OF THEM! **IDIOT** I guess I was in a giving mood, because I was up until 12:43 making and very adorabley packaging loaves of zuchinni bread. Men!

Anonymous said...

LOL at this! I have to say, I thought the Snuggie looked lame from the commercials, but lo and behold..my kids wanted to get me one....and NOW WE ALL FIGHT OVER IT!! Everyone loves the Snuggie-it's so very warm, better than a regular blanket and longer than a robe. :-) Yay for the Snuggie!!

Gina @ MoneywiseMoms said...

Oh, good, it's not just at our house. I keep telling my husband that Christmas happens on the SAME. DAY. EVERY. YEAR! He told me this morning that he's planning to take the kids out tomorrow to shop for me. Tomorrow we're expecting 20 inches of snow in the DC area...

Diana Dye said...

It's such a guy thing. I can't tell you how many birthdays I've had where my husband takes me out to dinner....and then to pick out my own birthday present.

Debra said...

I believe you must be married to my husband's brother (twin)! You are not alone.

melissa walker said...

My husband works for Franklin Covey--I'm sure we can get your husband a deal for some books! This story is usually about my husband, until he got an awesome assistant this year and she does the dirty work! Then he just puts a bonus in a nice card for her and voila!

Unknown said...

From the last two posts, it looks as if you're having trouble with men :0)

Silvina B. said...

Typical!! :)

Liz said...

To my utter shock and dismay, my 15 yr old daughter told me she wanted a Snuggie for Christmas!!! I don't get it. Do they make Hollister snuggies or something? Or is she *growing up*? Or just going crazy?

Tell us if you're going to bail your hubby out by shopping for him!

Anonymous said...

The Best Buy I was in yesterday HAD Snuggies!!!!!

A Musing Mother said...

Hasn't he heard of "regifting"? Take John's gift and give it to Sam. Sam's gift goes to Josh, Josh's gift goes to Sally, unless Sally has a peanut allergy which throws a kink into the whole system.

Okay, new plan. Take gifts from neighbors and regift to office people.

Unless Sally still has that peanut allergy. Darn that Sally!

kristina said...

My husband is terrible about that sort of thing too. He'll call me the day before to tell me he needs a babyshower gift or something for a coworker. Then he expects me to go find something!

Em H said...

We were at the grocery store yesterday when my husband said, "Do you want to find something for yourself for Christmas?" Classy.

Christian said...

Did you know that Best Buy sells Snuggies? My brother just bought one there for my mom!

Working Mommy said...

LOL!!! That will show him...until next year!!

~WM

Lisa said...

My mom actually ASKED for a Snuggie for Christmas! I was laughing as I purchased it, especially because everyone around me were telling me how fabulous the Sunggie is (they all had one!).

AlsoMean said...

My husband OFFERED to order up some presents for various friends and family (and co-workers) right after Thanksgiving. He'd gotten some discount coupons in the mail from his favorite mail order outfit: Omaha Steaks.

Now, last January I had a heart attack and may have eaten 2 small steaks in the past year. A gift of steaks from a woman with heart disease is ironic at best.

BUT then I remembered the other rule: NEVER TURN DOWN A HUSBAND WHO IS HELPING WITH THE SHOPPING!

Chief said...

I am so glad Duke has no colleagues.

they would get coffee mugs

the end

Men are babies sometimes. How do thay hold down jobs!

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Eric M. Sales said...

HaHaHa! Seriously some of the funniest blogs I read are here! I mean, honestly. That's so funny, and yes, it does sound familiar - but on the other end. See- I am always calling for "good suggestions", and people end up giving me a list of things "they'd like". It's so funny.

Anyway- I like that I am a 20 year-old reading this blog- so funny- your posts remind me of something my mom would say! Die for the blog and die for you!

http://www.ericmsales.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I even asked my husband flat out over two weeks ago if he wanted me to 1. send Christmas cards to his entire group, and 2. get gifts for his two assistants.

He said no.

And then on his last day in the office (Friday) he calls me in a panic that he has nothing for his admins and could I send cards to the whole group.

You've got to be kidding me.

Momfever said...

I feel you just have to let them sink, or they'll never swim on their own.

Anonymous said...

My husband, who is in charge of organizing the company Christmas party, came home a couple of weeks ago and told me he had finally scheduled it for December 18th. I said "You mean the same December 18 that your brother is getting married on, and we will be out of town attending his wedding?" Blank stare. All of the planning, none of the prime rib.

Jess said...

This is so funny and so my husband!! I was cracking up and had to read it to him, although he didn't appreciate it as much as I did...probably because I was laughing at him.