Retail workers did you get an Xmas bonus/gift?

I've been working in a pharmacy in Australia for a few years and Nov 2011 we were bought out by a chain. We didn't do anything for Xmas last year but we all assumed it was because it had only been two months. This year we had a last minute small dinner at a place around the corner and the manager claimed it under petty cash. Was that our Xmas gift?

Just wondering if this is normal...