It may be over four months to Christmas but the traditional Christmas hamper is out of favour with employers, according to corporate gift firm Tintelingen on Wednesday.

Instead, companies prefer to let their staff choose their own present and avoid the red tape, the company told the Financieele Dagblad.

In addition, research shows 60% of the hampers are thrown away, with tinned pate, ragout and ham top of the list of rejects.

The research also shows fewer people who choose their own gift are donating the money to charity instead. In 2006, 7.5% gave their gift to a good cause but last year this had fallen to just 1.7%.

In the Netherlands, employers traditionally give their staff a gift at Christmas.