Secret Santa - What do I buy the new girl in the office whom I know zero about her?

[RocketIceLollie]

I think I pulled the short straw in the office Secret Santa this year. I got the new girl in the office whom I barely know anything about what she likes....what do I get as a random gift for a 22 year old woman whom I know nothing about for a £10 max gift?

But I think the moral of the story is don't bother. We voted not to this year and are donating what we'd have spent to a food bank near the office instead.

The new person at my work got me. They have me the cash in a Christmas card. Best secret 🎅

Please don’t do a voucher, nothing says “I don’t know you or care about you” quite like a voucher.

Get her some nice socks. Everyone wears socks. Or a mug, or chocolate.

@BasiliskStare
I know exactly what you mean about sensitive skin. I can only use " my products" It's not easy when you don't know them and also they could be decades younger!( I'm 57!)
I have 20's sons and they would be happy with those

@BasiliskStare
You're not boring at all, I prefer practical things too
eg I got a v60 coffee dripper with some coffee and I was over the moon!

I'd be very happy with a voucher in a work secret santa, less happy from a family member.
Mug or socks would be a clear "you don't know me".

@uncomfortablydumb53 - I'm a couple of years older than you but some things bring me out in a rash ( have done since I was 8 years old ) so - I would never not say thank you for a present but some do go to someone else who can use them - most skin things unless I know I can use them

& also chocolate - everyone always says this and I cannot abide the stuff - but when given it goes to DH & DCs so not wasted. Am I unusual in that I am a woman who does not like chocolate. ? I have been given so many chocolates ( & I do appreciate the thought so never not going to say thank you ) but I hate the stuff. It gets eaten so all good.

Cheese on the other hand - Oh my goodness - family have to have sharp elbows if I ever get cheese as a present ( I joke - I do share )

If someone gave me a book of stamps I would be happy - especially as the £ limit has been said. @EarthlyNightshade - I think a voucher in a secret santa is absolutely fine. Better than a rubbish going into landfill waiting for regifting thing .

Dh's company has stopped Secret Santa. It just ends up people worrying about what to buy and a lot of waste. & I think £10 is quite a lot - the last one I did was £5 but even so people were worrying about what to buy or they just bought something stupid which probably went in the bin.

Ok, a thought…how about asking her for a coffee or lunch and saying “ hi, you’re new, would be nice to get to know you a bit”… even over a 10 min break you could find out enough !

For a moment I thought this was a gift suggestion! “Your secret Santa present is… my wonderful company!”

@pelargoniums I think in fairness @Newlifestartingatlast was offering to pay for coffees / lunch so perhaps putting a hand made voucher in to say I will take you for lunch coffees etc, Not quite it's my company instead of something. But a nice thought if the young woman is new. & what is the worst that could happen - she gets lunch rather than a crap present 🙂

@BasiliskStare Noooo I think the suggestion was taking her for coffee in advance of secret Santa, to find out her interests, and thus knowing what to get her for her secret Santa gift. And I initially misread it as something else.

@pelargoniums My Dh's company has got rid of Secret Santa - what they do is pay for a drinks / meal evening Not expensive and no-one has to buy a present . I think £10 or even £5 just ends up with rubbish things,

Apologies if I misread your post

No! I meant if she’s new and OP doesn’t know her..do something about it. Talk with her. Have a coffee. Find out one thing like even if she likes tea or coffee …bloody hell..the secret Santa is a way of getting to know each other less formally …that’s the point. If you don’t know someone well enough to know what to get them, stop asking MN and start to talk to the women herself 🤦‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm surprised at the number of people suggesting vouchers for a cafe.

A few years ago I got the new bloke in the office in SS - he was 22 - half my age & I was clueless about what he liked.

A new Costa had just opened round the corner so I bought a voucher for that. Budget was only £5 so I thought at least he could get a nice drink and cake of his choice.

There was a woman in my office who was so scornful about the perceived thoughtlessness of my present that I couldn't even confess to having been the giver.

Think "who buy's someone a Costa voucher?" said in a sarcastic voice over and over again to the whole department. She made me feel absolutely terrible.

But is anyone bought me a voucher for a coffee shop I'd be pleased - I would use it and it would be a little treat.

@Newlifestartingatlast - That is a fair point - but I am coming from Secret Santa I think causes more stress than it is worth. But I see your point - get to know the young woman. I am friends with a woman 30 years on who just pitched up to my desk ( when I was new ) & said I am X are you Y and we went for a coffee. Still friends as I say 30 years on.

@Tulipomania I would have been happy about that rather than some rubbish sweets or a "funny" present - I reckon you did well there

I don't drink so I'd be gutted with gin but a nice bath set or chocolates would be great!

@Tulipomania I’d be delighted to get a Costa voucher. Much better than a random tin of chocolates or hand cream.

A colleague actually did something very similar for me one year, he forward paid for 4 coffees at our local coffee shop & gave me a “voucher”.

I bought one of those mini Lush gift boxes when I got someone I didn't know well. She was really pleased when she opened it.

Whatever you do, don't get make up. I was given some as a secret santa gift when I was around that age, as a "hint I should wear some". I was most put out. I didn't wear war paint everyday. I lasted a week.

Fingerless gloves that convert to a mitten.
Pjs
M&s Colin the caterpillar brownie in a bottle kit
Hand cream
Tin of lindt chri stmas faves
Hand warmers
Funny fuck off type post it notes or notepad.