£20 Secret Santa for a colleague I don't know very well... wwyb?

[DollyMixtureLulus]

Is there such a thing as a thoughtful neutral gift?

Neom Bath Foam or Pillow Mist?

Leave a note for them on their desk with instructions of how to reply - is there a person coordinating that could be the intermediate?

Print out a poem like this and leave it for them to find on their desk/put on the internal mail/etc so they don’t see you do it.

I am your secret Santa
I don’t know you very well
I’d love to give you something nice
But I really cannot tell
What would be your present heaven
What would be your present hell!
£20 is a lot to spend
On something you think’s a bore
When instead it could be
Something that you’d really really adore!
So please please just let me know
A few things that you’d like
Then it will still be a nice surprise
When you open it on the night!
There’s cheese or chocolate, wine or gin,
All of these might make you grin
But if you could reply to this little letter
With an idea or two or three or more...
You’d end up with a present that’s really really better!

The new Nigella is on offer at £12. You could get some of the special ingredients too. Eg date molasses for a £5 plus some nice chocolate?

In reality I would opt out.
I HATE waste.
I am difficult enough to buy for, for people who know me well.
the idea of someone who doesn't know me wasting spending £20 buying something I am never going to use makes me cringe inside.

At least with £2 or even £5 Secret Santas, it is only a small amount being spent on something you don't want or need.

@Thepilotlightsgoneout

Cookery book. Most people like them and even if they don’t cook, they like having them on display in their kitchen.

Hells No ! I like to cook and I own literally ZERO cookery books. The last thing I want in my kitchen is a shelf of paper and boards collecting grease and dust. ICK !

Hanging basket kit ready for spring.
Voucher for afternoon tea for two.

Sorry not afternoon tea for two I got mixed up about how much you were spending.

Emma Bridgewater mug

I'd just go for something like a nice pair of those cosy teddy material Christmas socks, a nice candle, etc. Or one of those lovely mug and hot chocolate sets. Generic presents really that she can re-gift if she really doesn't like them!

@EasternDailyStress

Cinnamon Yankee Candle.

dear christ she doesnt hate the woman... that smell litrally makes me gag, its like the devil arsehole

@wibdib

Leave a note for them on their desk with instructions of how to reply - is there a person coordinating that could be the intermediate?

Print out a poem like this and leave it for them to find on their desk/put on the internal mail/etc so they don’t see you do it.

I am your secret Santa
I don’t know you very well
I’d love to give you something nice
But I really cannot tell
What would be your present heaven
What would be your present hell!
£20 is a lot to spend
On something you think’s a bore
When instead it could be
Something that you’d really really adore!
So please please just let me know
A few things that you’d like
Then it will still be a nice surprise
When you open it on the night!
There’s cheese or chocolate, wine or gin,
All of these might make you grin
But if you could reply to this little letter
With an idea or two or three or more...
You’d end up with a present that’s really really better!

I'm a MN whinger, there's nothing I'd really like, No hand cream, candles or silky scarves, And definitely no glittery shite.

I'd like a magic chicken,
Organic and left to roam free,
It will feed the hungry thousands
With some left over for tea.

I'd like a parking diagram
To scale, if you please
Or a cup to live beside the bed
To cleanse the old nob cheese.

I would hate most of these suggestions! Hot choc sets, mugs, hand cream, wax melts & Yankee candles would all go straight to the charity shop.
People who watch Netflix already have a subscription, don’t they? I don’t have Netflix and I don’t particularly want it either.
I don’t shop at Amazon (tax avoiders) or Next (Brexit supporters).

I do like the idea of nice cheese but that would have to be bought at the last minute so may cause logistical problems.

Luckily we don’t do Christmas at work, so no gifts or games or decorations. Usually just a meal out with plenty of alcohol

If you do end up doing voucher I wouldn't do Amazon. M&S or JL much better imo.

I really like the jigsaw idea but then I like jigsaws.

OTOH a £20 candle would be a total waste for me as I don't use them. I have regifted or ebayed candles before now which seems a shame if they were £££.

OP I think you really do need to find out what she likes. I know it's tricky now, but can you not stalk her a bit (subtly!) and see if she does wear earrings or scarves?

Or start a "three things I enjoyed this week" thing on the team chat on a Friday - that might give you clues.

I've got mine a soap dish from a local potter and a handmade soap from another local maker.

Nice and neutral and supporting local too!

Hotel Chocolat selection box!

Chilly water bottle or a good thermal coffee mug?Even if she has one, she can always use another

Luxury smellies/chocolates- L'Occitane, Molton Brown, Hotel Chocolat etc

Does she drink tea? This independent shop sells some lovely vintage China gift sets:

www.cupandsauceronline.co.uk/shop

An electric hot water bottle & plant, book or Tony's chocolate.

I’d love this, I bought something similar for a Mumsnet secret Santa thread years ago and got a lovely thank you message from the recipient so either she was incredible polite or it went down well

www.templespa.com/silent-night-sleep-aid-kit?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic%20search&utm_campaign=shopping-surfaces&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgARIsAOVbhRqKijDoa_nGIxV3wH_wK4KH91EB1W6SsXTvSwvaDN-20LGo_gCFsNEaAva1EALw_wcB

What is the mumsnet obsession with candles and hot chocolate?

I wouldn't appreciate either

Chilly water bottle or a good thermal coffee mug?Even if she has one, she can always use another

I disagree. If you already have one why would you want another? I have never felt the need for even one, let alone two.

What this thread shows is that one (wo)man’s meat is another (wo)man’s poison. Either have a quiet word with someone who knows them well or just play it safe and get a voucher. I think M&S is the best bet as it can be used for clothes, home stuff, food etc., and everyone can find something for £20 in Marks.

What this thread shows is that one (wo)man’s meat is another (wo)man’s poison

Exactly

How about a posh pen and a box of chocs?