Today The Duke and I went to the football.  The best part was that the only money we spent was $5 on the match magazine.  We parked our car at Missy’s place and walked the 15 minutes to the ground.  I made and packed our lunch and drinks and the tickets were won in a draw at work.  Thanks to corporate sponsorship there are 5 double passes available to win each week.  Sadly, our team lost but it was a fun afternoon for minimal cost.

This got me to thinking about other corporate freebies.  During the nine years that I have worked for 2 large global corporations I have acquired all sorts of things.  These include backpack, pedometers, polar fleece travel rug, sports socks, beach bags, cookbook, colander, rugby top, polo shirt, drink bottles, mug, soccer ball, beach towel, sports bag and sports towel as well as assorted foodstuffs, chocolates and champagne.  This list is far from exhaustive.

I dread to think how much is spent on handouts to employees in various guises and am not sure how I feel about this.  However, there are some things you cannot change overnight so I accept it all graciously.  Some goes to other family members but most I use in one form or another.

Sometimes you have to think outside the square to use things.  One example is a sports towel we were given recently.  I do not go to the gym but decided I could do with some new facewashers.  The towel was very soft and the perfect size to cut into 4 facewashers.

Here they are.

What do you think of gifts/freebies from work?  Are you given any?  Do you use them?