Rachel Gillett

But if you're still undecided on what you should get your coworkers this year, perhaps knowing what not to give is a good place to start.

According to <a id="7f10d0d3-54ce-3e00-a8b0-66bf8c3849ef" href="http://press.careerbuilder.com/2017-12-14-Number-of-Employers-Planning-to-Spread-Cheer-in-the-Office-Hits-a-Ten-Year-High-Finds-CareerBuilders-Annual-Holiday-Survey?_ga=2.32483581.2146245505.1513291879-541905487.1513015625"> a new survey from CareerBuilder </a> , conducted online by Harris Poll among 3,907 employees and 2,257 HR professionals, about a fifth (22%) of employees say they plan to buy holiday gifts for coworkers, and 22% plan to buy a gift for their boss.

As a general rule, it's the thought that counts when it comes to gift-giving, which means gifting something thoughtless doesn't leave a very good impression. You're better off avoiding gifts that are inappropriate, offensive, or that might leave your coworkers scratching their heads.

To help you avoid these gift-giving faux-pas, here are 34 gifts real employees <a id="dfc1bbcf-afdc-3a3d-acfe-1ed5cdab74c1" href="https://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?sd=12%2f8%2f2016&amp;siteid=cbpr&amp;sc_cmp1=cb_pr980_&amp;id=pr980&amp;ed=12%2f31%2f2016"> have received </a> from someone in the office during the holiday season, according to <a id="b70881fd-3926-3768-a839-a947d2a97591" href="https://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?sd=12%2f8%2f2016&amp;siteid=cbpr&amp;sc_cmp1=cb_pr980_&amp;id=pr980&amp;ed=12%2f31%2f2016"> CareerBuilder </a> , <a id="0c166b66-d134-35dc-a23c-27315b700401" href="http://www.cooperkatz.com/comments/twas_the_morn_of_the_gift_swap"> CooperKatz </a> , and Business Insider survey respondents:

• A bunch of stationery from the stationery cupboard

• Too-small, company-branded apparel

• Old backpack full of old shoes

• Piece of cake that was already being eaten at the party

• A bottle of axe and a card that said, "Take a shower."

• Lampshade made out of egg cartons

• A pen holder that looks like a crime scene victim

• Oversized pencil (1 1/2 inches in diameter, 12 inches in length)

• A book about using playing cards to predict the future

• Shoe box with a ping pong ball inside

Jacquelyn Smith contributed to an earlier version of this article.

<ul><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tips-for-surviving-your-office-holiday-party-2017-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">17 tips for surviving your office holiday party</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-not-to-say-at-the-office-holiday-party-2017-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">9 things you should never say to your coworkers at the office holiday party</a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-survive-office-holiday-party-tips-conversation-starters-2018-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest">Even if you're dreading your office holiday party, you still have to go. Here's your survival guide</a> </li></ul>

SEE ALSO: 21 of the wildest office holiday party stories we've ever heard

DON'T MISS: The 17 best icebreakers to use at a holiday party where you don't know anyone

We've given you some dos and don'ts for exchanging gifts at the office.

34 of the most bizarre holiday gifts employees have ever received from a coworker

The most successful people know there is more to life than simply eating, sleeping, and working.

Everyone needs to enjoy some downtime every now and then, and making the most of your free time by taking up a hobby <a id="242bc7e8-82e2-3a2a-a903-abd166f0873c" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-successful-people-need-hobbies-2014-12?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> can even help make you more successful </a> .

<a id="f8746b5b-4ca0-3f70-a1c9-81f799e7daf3" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/research-shows-that-these-7-hobbies-will-make-you-smarter-2015-8?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Playing a musical instrument </a> , for example, can stimulate your creativity, analytical skills, and fine motor skills. Reading can boost different types of intelligence and exercising can help with mental acuity.

Warren Buffett plays the ukulele while other take up different creative hobbies, like George W. Bush's affinity for painting and Marissa Mayer's preference for baking. Others enjoy hobbies that require more thinking and strategy: Richard Branson plays chess, Bill Gates plays bridge, and Condoleeza Rice plays golf.

For a little inspiration, here are the hobbies of 21 highly successful people:

Branson is well-known for his adventurous side, and you've likely seen many a photo of the Virgin Group founder kitesurfing and hanging out on the high seas. But perhaps his favorite hobby is far more of a mental activity.

"I think chess may just be the best game in the world," <a id="c8a274b0-d974-325d-aba0-ed8091a99218" href="https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/what-is-the-best-game-in-the-world"> he writes on Virgin's blog </a> . "It combines the greatest aspects of many different sports — tactics, planning, bravery, and risk-taking — plus you can have a cup of tea and often a stimulating conversation while you play!"

Branson says he's likely played thousands of games in his lifetime, and <a id="82e22471-f290-30ac-ad00-6999a7675503" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/my-perfect-weekend/8636955/My-perfect-weekend-Richard-Branson.html"> he tells The Telegraph </a> afternoons on Necker Island are always spent on the beach, oftentimes playing chess with his kids.

In 2011, when Dorsey was running Twitter and Square full-time for the first time, <a id="a09a0f5d-1608-3b6b-abb0-e59cca4a3417" href="http://techonomy.com/conf/11-tucson/techonomic-revolutions/21st-century-individuals-vs-20th-century-organizations/"> the cofounder told the audience at Techonomy 2011 </a> that, to get it all done, he gave each day a theme. This allowed him to quickly recall and refocus on the day's task once distractions were out of the way.

Dorsey said he would dedicate his Saturdays to hiking.

The award-winning actress says <a id="80d5299f-dc23-3d78-a839-d85b55570cb6" href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/01/famous-knitters/"> she loves to knit </a> , and <a id="649a67e1-8dde-3354-acda-17cb5224d02f" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0918927/trivia"> she's even said to have </a> hand-knitted the shawl she wore in the movie "Doubt."

Streep <a id="0bd429ea-739a-345b-a281-29fae387a032" href="http://makeitandmendit.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-meryl-knits-her-way-into-zone.html"> admits that she spends much of her time on set knitting </a> and finds the hobby to be therapeutic: "For me it was a place to gather my thoughts and understand the contemplative (life) ... it's a sort of clearing out place."

In fact, <a id="62c90e08-b11d-36df-a501-6f135b48598e" href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/01/famous-knitters/"> tons of celebrities </a> , especially actors who have plenty of time to kill on set between takes, love to spend their free time knitting. <a id="aa44f810-e23b-3d6c-a06f-880aadd33744" href="http://magazine.foxnews.com/celebrity/kate-middleton-and-other-celebs-known-knit"> The list </a> includes Julia Roberts, Ryan Gosling, and Christina Hendricks.

In recent years, adult coloring books have taken the world by storm, with titles like Johanna Basford's "Secret Garden" <a id="fa89c412-a99b-369b-af08-427cab6fbf65" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/2015/books"> topping Amazon's bestselling books list </a> .

<a id="a9b54b41-012b-3b56-a302-38ee92f50be3" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kate-middleton-adult-coloring-book-hobby-2017-1?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> According to her husband </a> , Prince William, even the the Duchess of Cambridge is susceptible to the allure of coloring.

Proponents for the emerging trend <a id="02db7b3f-2b13-3003-aee0-4be46f62e073" href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/06/health/adult-coloring-books-popularity-mental-health/"> suggest coloring as an alternative </a> to meditation and mindfulness practices, saying <a id="661b2b5b-372c-3f42-af84-7153457374b7" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/11/sorry-benedict-cumberbatch-your-head-is-fine/414010/"> the practice can help </a> reduce stress and organize one's thoughts.

Gates has a few hobbies that <a id="25c0fb08-80df-3bb8-aafe-b50e2c7675d9" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1xj56q/hello_reddit_im_bill_gates_cochair_of_the_bill/cfbvjzo"> he considers </a> "old-fashioned," and <a id="86f581a2-26d7-32dc-ab84-9f6f468233dd" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/18bhme/im_bill_gates_cochair_of_the_bill_melinda_gates/c8ddnry"> the billionaire tells Reddit </a> he is an "avid bridge player."

He also loves playing tennis, and <a id="2bdd269d-0f3a-3406-ac1b-7b621cc94f64" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/18bhme/im_bill_gates_cochair_of_the_bill_melinda_gates/c8ddnry"> considers </a> spending time with his kids a favorite pastime.

It turns out that the former US President is also a prolific painter, having painted <a id="5748db50-630a-332b-ab94-df4cbf1d12e2" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/george-bush-puppy-paintings-2013-3?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> more than 50 puppies </a> , numerous landscapes, and at least <a id="9dbe28c3-e5f7-39ee-a8a7-dd1426caf4a1" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/george-bushs-paintings-of-world-leaders-may-be-based-on-google-images-2014-4?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> 30 world leaders </a> .

Bush <a id="7bf0a2c0-086b-3711-a93d-e1a329ea51b2" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bush-painting-photos-2014-4?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> took up painting </a> after leaving office in 2009 and <a id="162c67f6-95e5-3b6e-a8dc-4600a8fb4632" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/george-bush-puppy-paintings-2013-3?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> spent a month in Florida </a> learning the art from a Georgia-based painter.

<h1> Ray Dalio practices Transcendental Meditation </h1>

<a id="4268717f-a911-35e0-a62a-1f768a3957f7" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-transcendental-meditation-works-2016-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> As Business Insider's Rich Feloni reported </a> , the Bridgewater Associates founder has said the practice ofTranscendental Meditation is <a id="8028400c-b586-3926-ac9e-91070bba3a83" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-trend-transcendental-meditation-2016-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> "the single biggest influence" on his life </a> .

Dalio <a id="fdd5be82-ea10-3e93-a16c-bbbd53de70d8" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-trend-transcendental-meditation-2016-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> began practicing Transcendental Meditation </a> in 1969 as a college student after seeing the Beatles's fascination with it. Since then, Daliohas brought the practice to his employees, and waves of Wall Street bankers and investorsare signing up for lessons.

<h1> Tom Hanks collects vintage typewriters </h1>

As <a id="265c77db-3bf3-3147-ad73-f687d3cd9a64" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hobbies-of-successful-people-2015-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Business Insider previously reported </a> , the actor and filmmaker has been collecting vintage typewriters since 1978, and he uses one every day because he loves the sound, feeling, and permanence that comes with typing on one.

"Everything you type on a typewriter sounds grand, the words forming in mini-explosions of SHOOK SHOOK SHOOK. A thank-you note resonates with the same heft as a literary masterpiece," <a id="d4d5e059-2e10-38f7-a96f-75f0d1dd1967" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/opinion/sunday/i-am-tom-i-like-to-type-hear-that.html?_r=1"> Hanks writes for The New York Times </a> .

<h1> Sergey Brin is an adrenaline junkie </h1>

In his spare time, the Google cofounder <a id="ec20b0d9-2a51-3e1f-aa39-09b7667ca027" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sergey-brin-chooses-high-adrenaline-exercise-2014-8?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest#ixzz3dMW9zvvj"> likes to push his body to the limit in any way he can </a> . This includes roller hockey, ultimate Frisbee, gymnastics, skydiving, and high-flying trapeze.

The Yahoo CEO <a id="6f16b7cf-0924-3433-a422-ddb6e0529c05" href="http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/the-adventures-of-marissa"> tells San Francisco magazine </a> that she's always loved baking.

"I think it's because I'm very scientific. The best cooks are chemists," she says. She takes a practical approach to her baking, and has created spreadsheets analyzing cupcake and frosting recipes.

"My hobbies actually make me better at work," she says. "They help me come up with new and innovative ways of looking at things."

<h1> Steve Wozniak plays polo ... on a Segway </h1>

Apparently Segway polo is a thing, and the Apple cofounder <a id="95aba2a2-5340-39e2-a517-620d39fa7075" href="http://qz.com/462689/steve-wozniak-played-in-this-years-segway-polo-world-championships/"> is the namesake </a> of one of the sport's major world tournaments, Woz Challenge Cup, the World Cup of Segway polo. The game is played in four quarters, and five players on each team try to get a rubber ball past the opponent's goalie.

"Segway polo is the one thing I will block off my calendar for," <a id="11d4c48f-2173-365f-ac23-0b2f3682baf6" href="http://qz.com/462689/steve-wozniak-played-in-this-years-segway-polo-world-championships/"> Wozniak tells Quartz </a> .

The "Project Runway" cohost and mentor <a id="fc783e61-be09-3a55-a3ac-27b681141f83" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/nyregion/how-tim-gunn-of-project-runway-spends-his-sunday.html"> told The New York Times </a> that he spends every Sunday at the Metropolitan Museum — "I stay there basically until the museum is about to close."

He dons a suit — "I want to prepare myself properly" — and walks through Central Park to get there.

"I'm a huge lover of art," he explained. "I go to the Greek and Roman galleries first. I'll choose different objects to fixate upon. A trip to the Met can be very emotional. There are paintings there that just lift me off the ground. I feel buoyant."

He then heads to the Balcony Lounge for a glass or two of wine and tea sandwiches and pulls out his iPad to research what he's just seen. "I have become insatiable on the topic of ancient Rome."

<h1> Warren Buffet plays the ukulele </h1>

<a id="10ba10cb-7dce-3cd6-a40a-419448173ce6" href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/16/hobbies-billionaires-celebrities-lifestyle-hobbies-09_slide_22.html"> According to Forbes </a> , the Berkshire Hathaway CEO's love for the ukulele spans decades.

Buffett often uses his musical talent for good and has donated instruments and lessons to children's clubs in Omaha and <a id="024deb5f-16dd-3d1e-a2f5-4bf6192f454b" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-jon-bon-jovi-ukulele-forbes-400-2012-6?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> given performances </a> for charity.

<h1> Angelina Jolie collects weapons </h1>

Lara Croft Tomb Raider The Cradle of Life/Paramount Pictures

As <a id="05734b6f-04dd-3056-aa30-cbac800f3532" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hobbies-of-successful-people-2015-11?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> previously reported on Business Insider </a> , Jolie is another Hollywood actor with a unique hobby: She collects kniveswith her family.

<a id="8dac6382-d94d-3687-a7ea-20d49e157d20" href="http://www.wmagazine.com/people/celebrities/2008/11/brad_pitt_angelina_jolie/"> Jolie tells W Magazine </a> that her mom introduced her to daggers when she was a kid, and that she haspassed this hobby on to her son, Maddox.She says the knife blades she gives him are dulled so he can't hurt himself, and that their dagger purchases are always "accompanied by discussions about violence."

In another <a id="306ff974-ef7a-3e8c-a205-f2b652cc593d" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDyvfRNQ9Sw"> interview with Conan O'Brien </a> , Jolieshows off her skillswith a butterfly knife and explains that her fascination with weapons comes from the history behind them: "There's just something beautiful about them."

<a id="8d6347d9-0c9e-3a4c-a5d6-e444a9e042ed" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/larry-ellison-yacht-racing-2014-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> When Charlie Rose interviewed </a> the Oracle CTO and former CEO about his addiction to winning America's Cup yacht race, <a id="ba9ddba4-4afc-3f28-a2a3-7deecc699b7c" href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oracle-ceo-ellison-on-americas-cup-racing-it-has-to-be-a-little-bit-risky/"> Ellison replied </a> , "I don't smoke, but I do sail."

As <a id="3d855a4e-e8ff-3e8e-a961-b3271fa36680" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/larry-ellison-yacht-racing-2014-10?utm_source=intl&amp;utm_medium=ingest"> Business Insider previously reported </a> , Ellison took a sailing course shortly after moving to California in 1966 at the age of 22, and by 25 he owned his first boat, a 34-foot-long racing sloop.

When Winfrey's not working, she's reading.

"Nothing, not one thing or activity, can replace the experience of a good read — being transported to a different land, a different realm, through words and language," <a id="2e4dfc26-e5d0-3517-a480-df3568f57bdb" href="http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/oprah-on-the-joy-of-reading"> she wrote </a> on her website. She also spends time curating her famous "Oprah Book Club," which has helped books reach <a id="25e29f89-61a1-347e-aa19-704dfe14d257" href="https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2011/the-oprah-effect-closing-the-book-on-oprahs-book-club.html"> bestselling status </a> in the past.

The former first lady <a id="a4beb54d-f2b7-3b1f-a6f4-5daf799f567c" href="http://www.heraldnews.com/x482560200/The-first-ladys-favorite-things-revealed-as-kids-visit-Michelle-Obama-for-take-a-child-to-work-day"> previously said in a chat </a> that one of her hobbies is exercising "just to keep moving." She's even known to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to hit the treadmill for a run, according to <a id="ee9e0fe5-f8c1-3fbd-aac4-6798fcf7c48c" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/18/us/politics/18michelle.html?pagewanted=print"> The New York Times </a> .

That's not surprising considering her <a id="3f4c09d1-d8df-3d77-af60-05d9b6e007e9" href="https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/"> "Let's Move!" </a> public health campaign, which aimed to promote healthy living among kids.

Anna Wintour <a id="e0d5ed4b-1efb-3e17-a90f-3149ec873f99" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/21-things-probably-didnt-know-anna-wintour/"> reportedly wakes up at 5 a.m. </a> to hit the tennis court before heading into the Vogue offices. She takes lessons at the Midtown Tennis Club in Manhattan, according to <a id="820780b3-d83b-3b01-a120-e79d0869e373" href="https://www.thecut.com/2012/08/how-anna-wintours-tennis-game-could-improve.html"> The Cut </a> .

She's even left fashion week early to attend tennis matches and is a regular attendee at the US Open, Wimbledon Championship, and French Open tournaments.

She's also friends with Roger Federer, <a id="392e12ca-98f5-3b33-ad95-3c93fea18f16" href="https://fashionista.com/2012/06/fashion-fan-game-is-anna-wintour-at-a-fashion-show-or-tennis-match"> according to Fashionista </a> . Karl Lagerfeld <a id="840a4518-6607-372a-a366-d43f3d8f05a4" href="https://fashionista.com/2015/11/anna-wintour-karl-lagerfeld"> reportedly built a tennis court </a> on his property to convince her to visit the French coast.

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Rachel Gillett

Articles written by the author

34 of the most bizarre holiday gifts employees have ever received from a coworker

21 hobbies of highly successful people