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Original poster

£5 secret Santa that isn't tat

110 replies

roarfeckingroarr · 01/12/2022 12:50

I hate Secret Santa. I find the public giving of gifts with colleagues very awkward.

But I didn't opt out in time and now have to produce a gift around £5 for next week.

The recipient is a really lovely lady in her 50s but I don't know her well because of wfh. I really don't want to get anything plastic, "funny" or food.

Is there anything?

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 01/12/2022 14:56

@Luredbyapomegranate I dunno.... I would be bitterly jealous 😂
For me a £5 gift like a novel, or chocolate or biscuits would be a nice treat. I'd be happy with that.
However a win of several £1000s could be life changing for me.
If it was a winning ticket that I had bought - and given away - so someone else wins.... yeah. I'd be jealous.
That's why I wouldn't buy a scratchcard for a Secret Santa...😂

Abraxan · 01/12/2022 15:04

On another SS thread, someone suggested a donation to charity, printed out and put in a card – I’d love this and it saves on being given tat/clutter.

Whilst I give to charity in my own name, to my chosen causes, I don't think a charity donation in behalf of others is a good present UNLESS you know that person very well and know it is what they would want.

It could come across as too try hard and righteous.

You also may not know which causes are close to their heart, so may not chose a charity then would have chosen themselves,

ByTheGrace · 03/12/2022 17:12

YouknowIknowbest · 01/12/2022 14:31

2023 Slimline Diary
Candle
Oil Diffuser
Wax Melt Burner thingy
LipBalm Set
Hand Creams
Luxurious Bath Foam
Relaxing/Cooling Gel Eye Mask
Slimline Notepad
Luxury Soap Set (TK MAXX do amazing ones)
Yankee Candle Pot Car Freshener

All of those would be straight to the charity shop, I have sensitive skin and I hate Yankee Candle and other smelly stuff.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations
SilentHedges · 03/12/2022 17:20

BrilliantGreenFlamingo · 01/12/2022 12:55

Bulbs for planting

@BrilliantGreenFlamingo PERFECT

Helps nature too. Job done. Or a packet of wild meadow seeds.

Mugs, poinsettias, coffee (alot of people don't have caffeine), candles (unsafe for pets and asthma), alcohol (people don't drink), chocolates (lactose intolerant), just avoid. Agree steer clear of food for so many reasons, and steer clear of physical items as it adds to landfill.

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 03/12/2022 17:22

I would like a £5 note to fall out of a card. Just like being a kid again.

No mugs, notebooks, pens, mugs, hand cream, candles, diaries, mugs, calendars , mugs, hand cream….thanks. I’m fed up with taking them to the charity shop every year.

Beefcurtains79 · 03/12/2022 17:23

If you work near a prey a manger a gift voucher is always good and will be used.

SilentHedges · 03/12/2022 17:24

ByTheGrace · 03/12/2022 17:12

All of those would be straight to the charity shop, I have sensitive skin and I hate Yankee Candle and other smelly stuff.

Show quote history

Same. Straight to the charity shop. I don't use any products tested on animals, or products with palm oil, or ingredients that aren't natural. Diffusers, candles and fresheners create toxins are bad for asthma and pets.

NoelNoNoel · 03/12/2022 17:27

Costa voucher

Outfor150 · 03/12/2022 17:27

Christmas decoration.

NoelNoNoel · 03/12/2022 17:28

Christmas decoration is a good idea.

AlwaysLatte · 03/12/2022 17:28

I used to buy nice things in the sales for the following year, often 75% off.

YogaLite · 03/12/2022 17:28

I agree, no smellies or mugs. I'd go with £5 note or a voucher.

I once gave a £5 scratch card and the person did win £5, which was fun but still a hassle to go and get it.

Decafflatteplease · 03/12/2022 17:31

M and s do lovely little succulents plants for £6 so a little more then £5 but they are lovely.

What about Etsy? I got a lovely cross stitch kit for £5 from Etsy.

Thermal socks / bed socks? Always useful!

Hand cream set?

Monkeyrules · 03/12/2022 17:37

I'd get a pocket 2023 diary, they are so useful

Bubbles1st · 03/12/2022 17:41

Really nice box of coffee sachets and biscuits

Monkeyrules · 03/12/2022 17:45

A nice lanyard so she doesn't lose her car keys, sports bottle or running belt (if she goes to the gym or likes exercise).

A big no to hand cream. Those tubes take ages to use up and everyone I knoe already has a cupboard full. Ditto mugs. Who wants a house full of mismatched mugs!

Outfor150 · 03/12/2022 17:46

Bubbles1st · 03/12/2022 17:41

Really nice box of coffee sachets and biscuits

OP said no food, though. I assume that means drink as well. Personally, coffee sachets would be given straight to a food bank.

Spangletown · 03/12/2022 17:47

Superdrug has some decent gifts- nail varnish and chocolate?

NoSquirrels · 03/12/2022 17:51

Is chocolate food? This one is also a charity donation.

WhyIsEveryUsernameAlwaysTaken · 03/12/2022 17:55

The Works have nice packs of notelets 2 for £3 and some nice books/puzzle books for about £2? Could put with some chocolate?

AtleastitsnotMonday · 03/12/2022 18:06

Monkeyrules · 03/12/2022 17:37

I'd get a pocket 2023 diary, they are so useful

I know absolutely no one who still uses a paper diary, surely everyone just uses their phone.

Also no to face masks, bed socks I wouldn't use them, I do use hand cream and lip balm but am very brand loyal on those and wouldn't use any other.

I quite like the pot plant idea, or certainly voucher or lottery ticket. Edibles are fine if they are the sort of thing I could donate to the food bank if notto my taste.

Twillow · 03/12/2022 18:08

KangarooKenny · 01/12/2022 12:52

You don’t get a lot for a fiver any more, how about a Body Shop hand cream, they have two Xmas smells. Or a nice mug with a hot choc sachet in.

Nooooooo - this is why I hate Secret Santa! I have sufficient mugs. I buy a particular hand cream and have a drawer full of unwanted gifted ones!

Outfor150 · 03/12/2022 18:10

AtleastitsnotMonday · 03/12/2022 18:06

I know absolutely no one who still uses a paper diary, surely everyone just uses their phone.

Also no to face masks, bed socks I wouldn't use them, I do use hand cream and lip balm but am very brand loyal on those and wouldn't use any other.

I quite like the pot plant idea, or certainly voucher or lottery ticket. Edibles are fine if they are the sort of thing I could donate to the food bank if notto my taste.

Show quote history

I use a paper diary, so does my sister, and so does my 20-something DD - she won’t use a phone diary.

stuntbubbles · 03/12/2022 18:12

AtleastitsnotMonday · 03/12/2022 18:06

I know absolutely no one who still uses a paper diary, surely everyone just uses their phone.

Also no to face masks, bed socks I wouldn't use them, I do use hand cream and lip balm but am very brand loyal on those and wouldn't use any other.

I quite like the pot plant idea, or certainly voucher or lottery ticket. Edibles are fine if they are the sort of thing I could donate to the food bank if notto my taste.

Show quote history

I use a paper diary (and address book and other Luddite tools) but not a pocket one and December would be too late for me, I usually get mine in the summer!

Moon22 · 03/12/2022 18:20

Christmas mug or glass from poundshop/Asda etc.. a cheap one anyway, but still perfectly fine and usable!- put some Christmas socks in it and a handfull of chocs!