My first year working in the Big City, I would cut through Macy's to get to my train. Only working my job a few months, I wanted to make a good impression on the Big Boss but I had no idea what to get the owner of a company, especially when my budget was next to nothing.
One day, a short time before Christmas, I was walking on the red carpet laid with Christmas greens, reindeer and ornaments hanging above my head when a pyramid of gold boxes on a display table. The boxes were tied with satin ribbon with a pine cone and a sprig of holly attached.
Godiva.
Late for my train, I purchased the largest box on the table and charged it on my Macy's card. If a pretty box of chocolates didn't send good tidings from a 21 year old to her boss I wasn't sure what would.
On December 23rd, I knocked on the office door and the Office Manger told me to come in. Immediately noticing my gold box, she told me to put it on his desk. A glance to the right and I saw a desk piled with boxes of all different shapes, sizes and colors.
I didn't see the Big Boss that day. And when I returned to work on December 26th, I waited for him to mention my gift. He didn't. Nothing the next day, or the next day either.
On New Year's Eve, while I was working in my office, the Big Boss' wife and children came in to say hi. They were sight seeing in the big city and had taken the train in from the 'burbs. On their way out, Big Boss' wife told the children to thank me for the yummy chocolates. The five and three year olds glanced my direction and muttered a thank you.
Kids, you're welcome. I am sure you enjoyed the $85.00 box of exquisite goodness from a world class chocolatier.
Oh who am I kidding? You don't know a bite of Godiva from a bite of a Hershey Bar. But so glad you "scarfed it all down in one night" like your mom mentioned.
The next year? The next year the Big Boss received a nice holiday card with a gift certificate much more proportionate to my holiday bonus. In other words, tiny. ;)
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This story was inspired by Mama Kat writing prompt 1) Describe a Christmas gift that was not well received.
This reminds me of the scene in Christmas Vacation where Clark walks in and all the presents are the exact same, and then later on when he gets a jam of the month club subscription instead of a bonus. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's the thought that counts! :)
ReplyDeleteOh your poor 21 year old self. That must have really sucked. But at least your learned your lesson.
ReplyDeletethat is too funny. My boss gets the same as what he gave to me NOTHING. oh the joys.:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story (and lesson learned!) It sucks the way people take for granted the generosity of others. That's a shame that your boss and his family didn't stop to realize the effort and sacrifice of your gift. Good for you for not making the same (generous, thoughtful, and too kind) mistake the next year!
ReplyDeleteJudy@cutest-little-things
Sounds about like my husband and his work.
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Thanks,
Mika
So sad how common this story is...I had the same type of boss who expected everything and gave nothing. At least we're the good guys in this story...
ReplyDeleteSee, this is why I would never buy a gift for my boss unless I was actually very close to him/her. Because in the end it only about sucking up and that isn't what Christmas should be about.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to send those Godiva chocolates my way next time.I promise to savor them ;)
Visiting from Mama Kat's
Are you kidding me?! The kids would not be getting the Godiva chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI bet there were cheaper boxes they could have been given. Glad the gift the next year wasn't one they could scarf down.
ReplyDeleteAwwww! What a letdown that must have been. And seriously, what person in their right mind lets the kids get the Godiva? Who does that?
ReplyDelete