From a reindeer sweater to a stuffed bass that sings Don’t Worry, Be Happy, most people have tales of gift giving gone bad. Samba Days is asking Canadians to share those stories for a chance at an “experience” prize pack, through its “Lamest Gift Ever” contest.

Samba Days launched the contest, developed by its ad agency Naked in Toronto, to build brand awareness and give consumers a better understanding of what the company does, said Alex Barseghian, “chief experience officer.”

Samba Days offers a number of themed gift packs which include more than 15 activities. The “Pamper and Wellness” and “Rejuvenate” gift packs, for example, allow the recipient to pick from 15 to 20 different spas.

“When you give it to your wife or your mom, you know they want to treat themselves but you don’t know exactly what they want to do,” he said.

Participants have until Aug. 31 to share their “lamest” gift story at SambaDays.com/LameGift, with entrants encouraged to invite family and friends to vote for their story.

For each week of the contest, a winner will receive a Live and Learn package giving them the choice of activities like glass blowing, dance lessons, martini making lessons and more. Two grand prize winners will get the Action Adventure packs which includes activities like Ferrari driving, tandem hang gliding, air combat flight simulator, and white water rafting.

The contest site ranks the top 10 entries, which so far includes a pencil sharpener complete with shavings, a hula-hoop and a frying pan.

“The lamest gift I have ever received is no gift at all,” reads one submission. “I seem to get this special gift almost every year as my hubby cannot seem to remember dates.”

Samba Days is promoting the contest through print and online ads running in The Globe and Mail and on its website, and through the Samba Days Facebook fanpage.