Secret Santa CF's

I came on here to say exactly that. You got all the credit and she gets nothing. The present was supposed to be FOR her. Next time buy a gift and donate your own money separately. I bet you got a nice gift yourself though didn't you?

There's a huge amount to be said for all agreeing to Martin Lewis' Christmas 'Pre-NUP' - no unnecessary presents for other adults.

Our work one was £5 from a charity shop - could be something nice, something new (lots do Christmas gifts eg candles etc) or something hideous! The hideous ones were hilarious and either remained on display in the office, or returned to the charity shop. It was good because charities benefited, and the opening was brilliant fun

I once got a gin bottle that had been emptied out and refilled with Twiglets. I love gin and hate Twiglets as my Secret Santa well knew. He thought it was HILARIOUS 😂. It took me at least a year to come round to his way of thinking 😆

Schindler's List for a Jewish colleague?! Words fail me!

I'm afraid you won't find it at the bottom of a box of Secret Santa presents, judging on this thread ha ha 😆 😉!!

I got socks and everyone else was getting lovely perfume or gift sets. Was a bit embarrassed opening mine. Budget was 20

I don't have many exciting SS stores from my work place. One year, my SS got me one of those M&S mini chocolate bars assortment.
A bit of an unimaginative gift, but I'm glad it wasn't a rude one!

I'm shocked at the stories of people getting underwear, sex joke items and Vagisil as "gifts" in the workplace. To me, it's bullying and a form of sexual harassment.

You can donate your money and just opt out.

Someone at my old workplace gave a tv remote. All wrapped up, no batteries, no idea for what tv, just a random remote.

No one owned up. It was £5, some got a box of Lindor, bottle of wine, shower radio etc, so you can imagine the tv remote recipient's face.

Nice idea to have the organiser know who's buying for whom.

Next year only put half your names in, the other Hal pick out a name and whoever they get they give their name to… so although it’s not ‘secret’ everyone is buying for the person buying for them! If someone gives a crap present you Atleast know who the CF is !!

Deliberately shit? What a waste of money.

Indeed not, but I've never seen the point of exchanging presents with work colleagues or friends. Call me Mrs Scrooge if you like, but every single year there are umpteen threads on MN from people upset about getting something nasty or nothing at all in a Secret Santa, or from people who get awful presents or no presents at all from family. Gift giving is a minefield. It has the potential to cause so much upset. Much easier and better for the environment just not to bother at all except for the very closest people in one's life.

I used to work in a small team so everyone knew each other really well. Secret Santa gifts tended to be both relevant and sometimes hilarious. We had a royal family fan so someone had her picture superimposed onto one with the queen and framed. Tongue in cheek somewhat but but she loved it!
Someone got a signed autobiography of their favourite footballer.
We also had crisps gifted but an insane amount of someone’s faves in a Fortnum style hamper. With dips AND wine!

Not everything has to be about charity.

Food bank collection would be a much better option than SS, surely.

We do a Ss £10.00 shit pressie thing each year. I am going to suggest we all donate the £10.00 to charity from now on

I wonder why the one’s who “forget” don’t have the grace to excuse themselves from the proceedings, rather than grabbing their gift anyway?
The organiser shouldn’t have to fund standby gifts out of their own pocket for these grabby bastards.

It's not much of a surprise, though, is it? And it's not much of a present, either. You get the kudos for doing it. She gets nothing at all.

I did ask for a charity donation for my SS as did a lot of us so I knew the recipient was happy with a charity donation. I should have made that clear .
the surprise was which charity was chosen

One of our work's secret Santa party’s kicked off when one of the older ladies received soap with face on one side and arse on the other 😂 not impressed!

One company I worked at ended the company wide secret Santa after a hersuit member of staff was given a packet of razors - he burst out crying. Someone else was given a red pair of lacy knickers.
An employer is responsible for maintaining a non bullying working environment at work so this ended the secret Santa.

Oh goodness me, I thought CF stood for c*t fuck 😳 and not cheeky fucker 🤣🤣🤣🤣 It's going to take time for my brain to stop saying c*t fuck in my head!

Vagisil could never be an appropriate Secret Santa gift. But there's no reason not to use it post-menopause if you need it.

I flat refuse to take part in Secret Santa after having worked in a number of toxic workplaces. The lowest point was when a Jewish colleague was bought a copy of the the book Schindler's List. In another year, a menopausal colleague was bought Vagisil. But even on a good year there's tears and complaints about the lack of thought/money spent on gifts. Christmas is hard enough without all that!