In Sweden it is common. I just read in the paper that 80% get a gift from their employer (company) for Christmas.
I just got one, a blue glass bowl (don't really need/want it though, but that's a different story, I'd prefer they just added the money to the salary.
In the UK people sometimes get an extra holiday, if Christmas and New Years is on the weekend. Many companies distribute their bonuses around Christmas. Other save it for the end of the financial year, in March.