As a practice, all festive hampers sent to the office are gathered and opened for lucky draws. Each item in the hampers is labelled with a number and we'll each get a chance to pick out little cards with numbers written on them. With that, we claim our matching numbered gifts.
At the stipulated time after the lunch hour, everyone began queuing to get their gifts. Some were happy with their goodies and some were negotiating exchanges amongst themselves. But at the end of it, everybody went away happy, clutching their prized possessions. It reminds of of the simple excitement you see in children but often lost in adulthood.
Nothing from the hamper was spared – the baskets in which they came in were also snatched up! You’ll be surprised how many people actually hoped to get one of those baskets. They seem to be the hottest items instead of the food stuff. Amongst the food stuff are things like mushrooms, biscuits & cookies, mandarin oranges, essence of chicken, wines, sparkling juices, some herbal stuff like ginseng and what-have-yous, and a whole lot of sweets and snacks. There were also some very symbolic items like a pair of rice bowls with chopsticks!
Anyway, above all else, there's cheer and colour in the workplace. That's the spirit of CNY.
At the stipulated time after the lunch hour, everyone began queuing to get their gifts. Some were happy with their goodies and some were negotiating exchanges amongst themselves. But at the end of it, everybody went away happy, clutching their prized possessions. It reminds of of the simple excitement you see in children but often lost in adulthood.
Nothing from the hamper was spared – the baskets in which they came in were also snatched up! You’ll be surprised how many people actually hoped to get one of those baskets. They seem to be the hottest items instead of the food stuff. Amongst the food stuff are things like mushrooms, biscuits & cookies, mandarin oranges, essence of chicken, wines, sparkling juices, some herbal stuff like ginseng and what-have-yous, and a whole lot of sweets and snacks. There were also some very symbolic items like a pair of rice bowls with chopsticks!
Anyway, above all else, there's cheer and colour in the workplace. That's the spirit of CNY.
8 comments:
I'm sharing a 'funny' incident about hampers (took place a number of years ago).
during Hari Raya, it is also common for suppliers/vendors to send hampers to "senior" employees in my company (which comprise predominantly muslims employees). usually, these hampers will be left in the company, to be devoured by those who have to stay behind and work over the holidays.
so, during Chinese New Year, a supplier sent me a big hamper. i don't have to work during cny, so i left the big hamper there. those who were staying behind to work during cny were smiling and eying on the hamper. i'm sure it would be nothing left when i come back from the holidays.
suprisingly, when i returned, the hamper were almost untouched, besides the signs that it has been pried open. when i inspected closer, there was a big packet of "lap chiong" inside! i suppose the muslims colleagues were probably freaked out ...
moral of the story: don't ever include dried chinese pork sausage in hampers ...
hey, no cards, so here's wishing you a very Happy Chinese New Year. sure hope the doggy is kind to you this year.
got some great goodies?? hampers with a alcohol are always well accepted here : )
nick, hahaha...the lap chiong saved your hamper goodies! otherwise they'll all be long gone. so any hampers this year?
hi ben! happy chinese new year to you too! and happy gambling back in muar! :D
leonard, i got a bottle of wine *beam*
fantastic! I've have a virtual toast with u during this festive season. "cheers" white or red??
leonard, i accept your toast, but it'll be chinese tea ok? cheers! *clink*
cool. i loved chinese tea.
deal! :D
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