Working the holidays at the ER was often sad and stressful. We really appreciated real simple comfort food since all we could get the rest of the time was vendoland.
Real lasagna, or meatloaf & mac 'n cheese, clam chowder, or hot roast beef sandwiches are some I remember being very popular. Lots of people would bring nice sweet treats, but long exhausting shifts needed heftier foods to keep us on our feet.
Though, silly christmas toys that could be abused were fun. A bag of coal 'for the naughty patients' might spark some dark humor laughter...