LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- If you don't get a holiday bonus, don't take it personally.

According to the human resources firm Hewitt Associates, most companies (63 percent) won't be offering holiday bonuses this year.

Hewitt's 2004 holiday study revealed that nearly half of all companies (46 percent) have never offered a holiday bonus, while 16 percent have discontinued their programs.

Of those organizations that canceled their holiday bonus plans, 54 percent did so in the 1990s, and 43 percent did so between 2000 and 2004. Reasons cited include: cost, entitlement issues and development of pay-for-performance programs, also known as variable pay programs.

Meanwhile, of those companies that never offered a holiday bonus program, 40 percent said it was due to cost, 39 percent never considered such a program and 21 percent said that a holiday bonus program was not consistent with their reward philosophy.

Of the 37 percent of companies that will offer a holiday bonus program in 2004, here's what they're offering:

• 37 percent will give cash, with a median bonus of $550 per employee.
• 49 percent will give gift certificates, with a median value of $25.
• 21 percent will give food, such as a turkey or ham, with a median value of $25.

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Meanwhile, the number of organizations offering variable pay plans continues to increase, from 59 percent in 1995 to nearly 80 percent this year.

"With increased pressure to improve business results, more companies are moving to variable pay programs," said Ken Abosch, a business leader for Hewitt Associates. "Variable pay is designed to help employees concentrate on company goals and objectives, while eliminating 'entitlement' issues that often arise with a holiday bonus."

The budgeting for variable pay accounts for nearly 10 percent of payroll in 2005.

"They're clearly sending a message to employees that they will be rewarded for high performance," Abosch said.

Holiday Parties Remain Popular

Company celebrations remain popular during the holidays, with 75 percent of organizations planning to host a party this holiday season, according to Hewitt's holiday study.

Of those, 21 percent will spend $5,000 or less on their parties, 34 percent will spend between $5,000 and $20,000 and 17 percent will spend from $20,000 to $30,000.

The median amount a company will pay for a holiday party is $20,000.