Something to toast to
By CHRISTINA OCCHIPINTI:: December 15, 2006

The holiday season is in full-swing and so are office parties, leaving many employees at a loss as to what to give their co-workers as a holiday gift.

According to thebar.com’s “Toasts and Tastes” survey, 60 percent of participants would like a gift of wine, spirits or beer as a corporate gift this season, but 80 percent of gift givers have no intention of buying such gifts for their co-workers or clients.

The survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive, found that wine and spirits are also more popular gifts with Gen Y and Gen X'ers. Forty-six percent of people ages 21-34 and 41 percent of people 35-44 years old would enjoy receiving an alcoholic beverage for a gift, compared to 38 percent of people ages 45-54 and 30 percent of people 55 and older.

For those of us making the rounds at dinner parties over the next few weeks, 48 percent of hosts prefer to receive gifts of beer, wine or spirits over dessert, flowers or other options.

“This survey reinforces what most of us inherently know – during the festive holiday season, the best gift for co-workers and party hosts – whether giving or receiving – is one that you can toast to,” said Mike Sachs, spokesman for thebar.com.