Could this be true?

Despite all the doom and gloom in the economy and rising unemployment, Hewitt Associates found that about four out of 10 companies are giving out holiday bonuses this year.

More than half of those are giving cash, spending an average of $863. Gift cards are also popular, with the average amount at $76 per worker.

And more than 70 percent of employers will throw a holiday party this year. One out of five companies will spend between $10,000 and $25,000 on festivities. Hewitt’s Ken Abosch says gifts and parties would seem to defy logic given the economy but employers want to thank workers.

“With so many companies struggling, employee morale is down across the board,” he says.

No kidding. Are you getting any bonuses or parties this year? How do they compare to Hewitt’s findings?