AIBU to want to avoid office secret Santa

[ClaireDB]

At the office Christmas party they are having a secret Santa. I've not worked there long and don't know many people well, there's also a lot of nasty office politics. I haven't done it before but think secret Santa is a bad idea, main reasons are: im not into consumerism (working in 'green' industry), I have enough 'stuff' already and assume the person would buy me something I don't want, i dont like the idea of a work colleague buying me a gift, I hate shopping, I don't have much spare cash or time, I think office politics would be involved... I wouldn't mind if it was optional but everyone who goes to the party has to do it. I actually asked if I could give my present money to charity instead but was told no because 'it would be a laugh'. After all there's nothing more fun than enforced joviality is there?! ;) AIBU??

No, it's not that bad there! It's just some of the bosses don't get on and it makes a bad atmosphere. I will get the Santa hat out and get in the spirit, that will cheer up the old buggers! :)

Buy your Secret Santee £10s' worth of FairTrade chocolate from the Oxfam shop. Donate whatever you're given straight back. The party will either be (a) much more fun that you expected; or (b) even worse than you expected, in which case you can turn it into an amusing anecdote for use at more enjoyable Christmas parties. Either way, it's what? two hours out of your life? And you might like your co-workers more when they're pissed being indiscreet letting their hair down.

You could buy them a small calendar for the office/cubicle. Everyone needs a calendar

It's not compulsory to socialise with colleagues, or take part in office rituals, of course. But making a big deal out of refusing to participate in a basically harmless one does give colleagues the impression that you are not much fun/look down on them. And if you are more of the self-righteous whinyarse persuasion and happen to work in an office full of 'superficial' consumers who don't get that Life is Earnest and One Long Struggle for Righteousness then maybe you're in for a bumpy ride/in the wrong job.

I took part in ss the other year and was delighted to pull out the name of the office bitchwoman who had made things very tough for me for months.
I got her a copy of "how to win friends and influence peopke" my boss even allowed me to go and pick it up during office hours

I only went through the truma of secret santa once - I put a lot of time and effort into my gift, and got something that I seriously thought this person might like. Gifts were given out at the office party and I thought all was well..... until I came across this person really bitching about the gift, saying it was a load of toot and how thye weren't even going to bother taking it home as it was best off in the bin. [hblush]

I think I've been put off for life!

Actually I'll grant you that, SGB, as a general principle at least. People should be able to have fun in the workplace even if that's not what they're mainly there for. Team bonding n all that. It's just the compulsion aspect that gets my back up.

"It's just the compulsion aspect that gets my back up."

That's it isn't it. If I worked in an office where I liked and respected my colleagues then I'd probably be quite happy to join in. However, if someone told me I had to, then that's where I'd dig my heels in and someone calling me names would just make me more determined not to do it.

bluecat what was the gift? [hshock]

I can't say Shutupanddrive, as it will out me. It was unusual but it was something that they had said they had enjoyed in conversation.

The thing is it might not sound like it but I do want to go to the party I'm just not keen on the secret Santa!! But if you go go the party you have to do secret Santa. I do actually like my colleagues, especially in a non work setting when we can forget all the 'politics' and just be people. So I suppose I'll have to just put up and shut up as a few people have suggested.