£5 secret Santa that isn't tat

[roarfeckingroarr]

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?

I wouldn’t do lottery tickets. You never know who has a gambling problem… as a country, we have a big issue with betting. And I say that as someone who does occasionally bet! I also think it’s quite a disappointing gift, if you don’t win anything.

I’d go nice food, they’ll either enjoy it or regift it.

OP said specifically no food, though.

Nice soap. That's what I'd like!

Try Waitrose Camomile. That’s really nice.

I really hate mugs of stuff. The mugs are always ugly and those horrible heavy ones. Not the nice thin ones. Candles are horrible, hand cream always makes my hands sting and is too strong smelling. I can’t eat chocolate. Don’t drink coffee.

however, booze is good for me or nice bamboo socks. But not scratchy plasticky ones with glitter thread in them.

I find the amount of stuff that people buy just horribly depressing. I imagine it all in landfill. It’s like I look at those things and don’t see a present, I just see it as litter. I promise I’m not a Scrooge but the destruction of our planet for pointless stuff in a mug is so sad.

I would like a cafe voucher or a bottle of cava or some nice chocolates...or a book voucher

Receiving that would leave me completely baffled.

Those mentioning having loads of handcream - drop it off at reception of nearest hospital and say for staff to help themselves to

I know a few people working in different hospitals and they'd all be made up. With all the hand washing, and antibacterial gel they have to use, they get really dried out

• a really nice notebook, spiral, perforated
• ice scraper for a car if she drives
• wine bottle opener (nice one)
• tk maxx type picture frame

-

I think the £5 m and s biscuits tin that lights up is hard to beat

A Ponsetia plant - £5/6 potted ones in Tesco and Sainsburys.

Are people missing the “that isn’t tat” part of the thread title?!

An amaryllis bulb in a pot. They’re around £5 in most supermarkets.

Heat holder socks or similar. Love a pair of fluffy socks as my feet get so cold!

Christmas bauble

From someone who didn't know me well and so doesn't know what I like I would probably only like to receive chocolates, alcohol (I'm not fussy over types in these categories and if I was they're regiftable and shareable so still useful) or a voucher to somewhere/£5 note so I can choose something I like myself really.

Everything else is unlikely to be to the person's taste isn't it as you don't know them.

@stuntbubbles Yes. This thread is so depressing. I feel that the total destruction of this planet is going to be a lot sooner than anticipated.

I'm probably sounding really mean but these are all things people have already if they need them.
Most Secret Santa stuff goes straight to charity shops (except for the friends that fix it and overspend on each other - there always is, isn't there!)
The best one I ever heard of was when every participant had to spend £5 on something utterly bizarre from a charity shop.

Wax melts

Yes TKMaxx notebook or diary.

Lip balms

Reusable stainless steel drinking straw.
Bonus points if in the classy copper colour!

As a charity shop manager I can assure you that we love January as we get inundated with all the unwanted Christmas gifts ... we even have special posters produced to appeal for 'unloved gifts' .

Personally I would love a hyacinth in a pot as a SS gift.

We're all SO different aren't we.

I love notebooks.

hate hand lotion!! Everything except Clarins just sits on my skin & feels horrible. Though my neighbour is happy for me to get it as a gift as she always benefits from it😂😂

I don't have house plants. I don't want house plants, but I'd be happy to grow an indoor bulb, and when I've had enough, my friend will be happy to get the plant.

I love socks, but I have small feet & like them to be snug, so I buy childrens socks, ladies are no good to me.

id like scarf/gloves, but I'm fussy about the wool/acrylic feel and colours. So randomly it probably wouldn't work. Though easy to donate to the charity shop or pass onto friends. Same with food/drink if I can't use it.

id LOVE lego, but doubt a work SS would know that, certainly not as the OP described their ;non) relationship.

I don't fragranced stuff (eyes water terribly & I get a headache- so diffusers/candles/other smelliest are out)

but things that I would genuinely enjoy might not appeal to many!

• lego
• nice pencils/felts (one good quality coloured pencil in a lovely colour would make me happy!)
• tiny Christmas tree in a pail
• shortbread (Christmas treat)
• chocolate (Santa, buttons, doesn't need to be fancy)
• Christmas books - cheesy

@roarfeckingroarr Good Luck & hope you get something you like too!