Retirement

Top 10 oddball gifts from co-workers

By Jason McCormick

December 20, 2012 / 5:55 AM EST / CBS News

Happy dolphin oven glove — Shirtcity.com/CBS

This holiday season, 81 percent of workers who plan to buy gifts for colleagues expect to spend no more than $25 per present, according to CareerBuilder. The online jobs site's annual study polled more than 4,000 workers and 2,600 employers and asked them to share the most memorable gifts from co-workers. Among these presents -- a dolphin oven mitt, pictured here on sale for less than $25 on Shirtcity.com.

Harpoon

One of the most memorable holiday gifts from a co-worker, according to CareerBuilder's recent survey of more than 6,600 workers, is a harpoon. The image shows a harpoon with an explosive head.

Can of wasp spray

This graphic shows a can of wasp spray, one of the most memorable gifts from a co-worker, according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.

Book about kittens

A book about kittens is one of the most memorable gifts from a co-worker, according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.

Jar of sand

Workers told CareerBuilder in a recent survey that they consider a jar of sand one of the most memorable gifts from a co-worker. Of the workers who participated in the recent study and plan to buy gifts for co-workers this holiday season, 10 percent plan to spend less than $5 per present.

Homemade pickles

According to CareerBuilder's recent poll of more than 6,600 workers, another memorable co-worker gift is a batch of homemade pickles. Polish-style pickled cucumbers appear in this image.

Conch shell

A conch shell is one of the most memorable gifts from a co-worker, according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.

Lava lamp filled with fake fish

This item, a lava lamp filled with life-like fish, is one of the most memorable gifts from a co-worker, according to CareerBuilder's recent poll of more than 6,600 workers.

Expired body lotion

A bottle of expired body lotion, one of the most memorable gifts from a co-worker according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder, appears in this image. According to the annual study, this holiday season 23 percent of workers plan to buy holidays gifts for co-workers, and 22 percent expect to buy presents for their bosses.

Co-worker's recorded songs

Workers recently reported to CareerBuilder that the most unforgettable holiday gifts include a CD of a co-worker's recorded songs. Thirty-eight percent of workers who participated in the annual study and plan to buy gifts for co-workers this year said that during the 2012 holiday season they will spend less than $10 per present.

Jason McCormick

View all articles by Jason Henry McCormick on CBS MoneyWatch »

Jason is a producer with CBS MoneyWatch. Click here to contact him.

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