A few months ago, the Province’s Mike Smyth broke the story of the Ministry of Finance’s Employee Recognition Cupboard, where employees could send one another gifts, paid for by the taxpayer.

Last week, an FOI request revealed exactly what gifts were handed out from Jan. 1, 2011 through Feb. 13, 2012. It turns out that government staff are very generous toward one another when it comes to spending our money—“giving” 2,293 gifts totaling $34,284.57. Here’s the full list, and remember: you’re paying for every single one of them (totals include applicable taxes):

• 29 adventure towels ($16.75 each; $544 total)
• 38 copies of the Book of even more Awesome ($16.61 each; $663 total)
• 26 CamelBak water bottles ($14 each; $408 total)
• 11 canvas bag with bear ($18.95 each; $208 total)
• 116 ceramic mugs w/ handle ($14.37 each; $1,867 total)
• 240 ceramic mugs w/o handle ($15.23 each; $4,094 total)
• 7 Chilkat water bottles ($14.95 each; $105 total)
• 9 copies of Drive ($15.91 each; $150 total)
• 17 fleece picnic blankets ($17.55 each; $298 total)
• 12 fresco water bottles ($9.75 each; $131 total)
• 3 $10 Canadian Tire gift cards ($30)
• 34 $10 Chapters gift cards ($340)
• 171 $15 Chapters gift cards ($2,565)
• 8 $10 Future Shop gift cards ($80)
• 81 $15 Future Shop gift cards ($1,215)
• 43 $10 HBC gift cards ($430)
• 156 $15 HBC gift cards ($2,340)
• 1 $10 Home Depot card ($10)
• 104 $10 Starbucks cards ($1,040)
• 299 $15 Starbucks gift cards ($4,485)
• 42 $10 Tim Horton’s gift cards ($420)
• 173 $15 Tim Horton’s gift cards ($2,595)
• 14 golf balls ($2.20 each; $30.80 total)
• 113 MEC backpacks ($14.40 each; $1,822 total)
• 40 MEC slingpacks ($19.95 each; $894 total)
• 50 MEC Travel Wash bags ($18 each; $1,008 total)
• 105 MEC TravelAlls ($13.50 each; $1,588 total)
• 7 Orca umbrellas ($16.95 each; $119 total)
• 257 Purdy’s chocolate survival kits ($11.96 each; $3,443 total)
• 4 Roger’s chocolate coat of arms ($9 each; $36 total)
• 5 copies of Switch ($20.06 each; $105.32 total)
• 6 copies of the Happiness Project ($16.19 each; $102 total)
• 31 whale/raven business card holders ($16.10 each; $499 total)
• 3 B.C. logo mugs ($8.25 each; $24.75 total)
• 1 black business card holder ($17.95)
• 13 MEC cycling gift sets ($24 each; $349 total)
• 12 retractable badge holders ($5.30 each; $63.60 total)
• 5 frisbees ($8.75 each; $49 total)
• 7 walk about sets ($16.50 each; $116 total)