What are you buying for work secret santa?

[KittyMarrion]

I don't really like buying for the sake of it but felt I should join in so as not to be a miserable bastard.

However, I don't know what to buy. Budget is £5-10. What are you getting for yours?

£5 limit for ours. I got a set of Lip balms.

gottachangethename1 yuck!

L'Occitane baubles are £12- I'd be pleased with one of those. Or Neals Yard hand creams are £10???

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DJBH2S4/ref=asc_df_B01DJBH2S457234015/?hvlocphy=1006767&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=226557293237&creative=22110&hvpone&hvlocint&creativeASIN=B01DJBH2S4&th=1&hvpos=1o1&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-310412034678&hvrand=9765486944973691786 to y bit over but it looks really nice.

We are a close and small team so we probably know each other well enough to choose well.
This year I've bought 2 marvel Cushion covers, they are quite arty and not cartoony, some chocolate I know he likes, a star wars t shirt a set of guitar shaped t spoons and some lynx. budget was £10 I've spent £11.25 I'm quite pleased

I got this for my colleague this year www.joules.com/Home-Garden/All-Kitchen/Christmas-Wash-Up/Single-Tea-Towel/Festive-Bird?id=Z_XMSWASHUP|FSTVBRD

www.joules.com/Home-Garden/All-Kitchen/Christmas-Wash-Up/Single-Tea-Towel/Festive-Bird?id=Z_XMSWASHUP|FSTVBRD

Agh no idea why the link isn't clicky. It's a Joules festive teatowel.

In the past I’ve given:

one of those mini Christmas trees in a nice pot,
a candle lantern thing,
chocolates and a white company glittery bauble,
a scarf,
nail varnish,
some sketching pencils...
All went down well I think.

Never get tacky or joke things. Steer clear of toiletry sets unless they are decent things I know the person likes and will use.

Our work has a no alcohol policy which is a great shame!

This year i'm getting mine something for her garden, an ornament or something to hang/lights. She is lovely and would be happy with whatever i get her.

Previously i have done the candles/oil burner thing

The best was when i photo shopped a colleague into photos with her favourite actor and framed them in one of those collage frames. It was hilarious and she loved it, her husband not so much.

The following year we weren't buying for specific people but another colleague spent all year telling me how she wanted the same thing with her crush so we organised it so that she would pick mine.

Ours is £10, and I’ve got a newish colleague who seems lovely. I’ve got her a little Christmas candle from the White Company.

Yankee candles Christmas tea light set is reduced from £10 to £6.99. Looks nice and substantial to me

I've got a newish colleague who doesn't drink, isn't into hand creams or smelly things, doesn't like candles as she has young children and is gluten free.

I haven't a clue.

A Christmas tree decoration is often a reliable one unless you know they don’t celebrate Christmas. You can get a really decent handmade one for £5-10

Ours is max budget of a fiver

I’m getting mine 5 scratchcards

I’m ROARING at Phil Spector Xmas album

Please don't feel that you should have to do anything.

I didn't join in last year and I was glad because when it came time to unwrap the presents somebody got a "Little Miss" mug which was £4 in Wilko's (I checked) However our limit was £5.

Secret Santa is a waste of money and the pettiness of colleagues when they don't like their present and make it known to everyone is really childish.

Next time, put your foot down. I was probably seen as a "miserable bastard" too but I don't care.

I think it should be banned myself and donate the money you were going to spend on a Secret Santa present to a charity for people who actually have nothing. Or buy meals for homeless people.

You don't need to explain yourself to anyone.

I've got two secret Santa's to do this year- one I've bought a themed glass and the other I've bought a small bangle. If she doesn't like the bangle I know she's got 3 daughters- I'm sure one will take it off her hands!

I'm not going to take part next year, If you know me I'm pretty easy to buy for ( love toiletries, stationary, photo frames etc) but I'm also difficult as I'm a vegetarian , nut allergic tee total . I've been so stressed over how I can look really grateful if my present isn't suitable! I just hate the idea of someone wasting their money on something I can't use.

I've got a senior colleague - late thirties bloke. I know he has two small girls and NOTHING else.

ATM he's getting £10 of Hotel Chocolat. His family can eat it if he doesn't want to.

It's a cop out, but I'm out of ideas.

I think it depends on the culture of the workplace- in ours it's definitely an opportunity for a laugh, but other places seem to take it a lot more seriously.

I've got this for my SS this year. I have no idea who that is yet but who wouldn't want an elf toilet seat cover?!

We're not doing it this year as no one can be bothered to organise it. Last year I bought a recent novel as I knew my SS likes reading novels. The year before I bought a film-themed calendar as my SS is a film buff.

I received a winter hat that I use every day in winter (I wore it this morning) and last y at I received some naice coffee as my SS buyer asked my closest colleague what I liked.

Yankee candle for another lady colleague

I have the most cynical sarcastic man to but for this year. No idea what to get him I was think cards against humanity but he’s probably got it

Luxury version of something small. E.g. Something you'd never spend £10 on for yourself... Lovely bowl, pair of soft fingerless gloves, socks. One of our local charity shops does brand new cook books (nigella, etc) for cheap.

£5 limit here. The person i got has got a new puppy so bought the adult Ladybird book, How it works: The Dog