Fewer than four million Dutch workers can expect to get a Christmas hamper from their employer this year, compared with five million before the financial crisis hit in 2008.

Bankruptcies, the declining size of the workforce and a switch to other sorts of gifts are behind the downturn. In particular, there has been a shift towards gift certificates, broadcaster Nos reports.

‘We’ve noticed that lots of people appreciate being able to choose their own present,’ said Jan-Pieter van der Heijden, marketing manager at corporate gift company De Pluimen. ‘They think it is a waste to throw things away from the hamper that they don’t eat.’

There is a complicated set of tax rules surrounding Christmas gifts from employers but in most cases they are tax free up to a value of €70.