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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think if you want to take part in office secret Santa

150 replies

lastqueenofscotland · 07/12/2016 23:32

You have to get into the spirit of it....

Not gladly accept the well thought out £10 gift from another colleague while handing the person you got (who you happen not to like) a bottle of that £1 Alberto balsam shampoo and a normal sized galaxy bar.

We are all on fairly senior roles in the city so money is NOT an issue.

She'd spend more than the budget on lunch a day

I'm not even the reciever of the gift, but I organised it within the team and am annoyed at the lack of effort when everyone else tried Angry

OP posts:
Vladi10 · 09/12/2016 20:00

It sounds like they forgot to buy anything and just raided a few bits they had in their cupboard at home!

Sara107 · 09/12/2016 20:08

My dh works in a really small office and one of his colleagues organised a secret Santa last year ( about 5 people probably). He pulled his own name out of the hat, but was too embarrassed to tell her. I had to convince him that it would be even more embarrasing when he was noticed taking his own present in.....

Violetcharlotte · 09/12/2016 20:19

Wow - some people have rally awful colleagues! Luckily mine are lovely. We do secret santa, budget £10. Everyone always seems to enjoy it and get something nice. I'd hate to work at a place where people are mean to each other!

Bunnyfuller · 09/12/2016 20:38

I got my boss a furry cup one Christmas. I bought a mug and glued some fake pink fur around it. She'd made a huge deal of 'accidentally' saying it to a senior manager in reference to a dirty mug, I cold to resist. She had also told the entire department sbout her 'innocent' mistake so the whole room erupted when she opened the gift. Whole room except her that is. Oh well!

mewkins · 09/12/2016 20:43

I hate secret santa with a passion but love dirty santa!!!! In a work secret santa I once got a very frilly thong. It was years ago, it still sits unworn in my underwear drawer!

Momer · 09/12/2016 21:07

I was given sequinned nipple tassels from Anne Summers.
They cost twice the SS budget of £5 so I changed them for some nice knickers!

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 09/12/2016 21:07

Oh ffs. I organise our ss, all names picked out, then one person who was off asked to pick hers. She's getting a generic present but it's just one of the annoyances.

Noodledoodledoo · 09/12/2016 21:36

I always put thought into my presents but seem to always get someone who has no clue about me at all - or is told a generic idea!

So far I have had regifted necklace - really not my style, pack of felt tip pens, Darth Vader key ring - I hate star wars! I did get a good book last year but was the first time in 6 years I got a reasonable gift!

I did spot a great generic present earlier this year which would work for anyone in my department so bought it then! Now have to work out how to smuggle it in as its a 20inch square cushion and I am on mat leave so can't sneak it in during the day!

Cary2012 · 09/12/2016 21:40

We have a maximum amount of a tenner in our department, and we always have a theme, this year's is 'yellow'.
Works well

DanyellasDonkey · 09/12/2016 21:45

We stopped doing it at our work. We had a maximum of £10 but some people gave really rude things which other people were uncomfortable about receiving and were then made to feel like prudes when they obviously didn't like it.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 09/12/2016 22:36

If management/ organisers want to take the credit they should give the pressies themselves.

You can't make rules for how people play Secret Santa!

WhereDoAllTheCalculatorsGo · 10/12/2016 00:00

I was just given the ladybirds books guide to a zombie apocalypse and 'how it works: the cat ' they are awesome Smile

RandomMcRandomface · 10/12/2016 04:03

I had a terrible experience with a secret santa when I was younger and single - I got a "one night stand" kit. There were condoms, face wipes, pamol and a can of energy drink. It was awful. I laughed along with everyone else at the time, but died on the inside and still feel a little upset about it even now when I think about it and it's been 10 years!

Comingfoccacia · 10/12/2016 08:06

Ours is voluntary and our office is small and friendly so we don't have too many dramas. This year just one (misery guts) has chosen not to take part and emails me regularly to remind me! We will be sure to dish out all the pressies when she's there Smile
We all look forward to it and most if the gifts are quite thoughtful (though the guys often end up buying wine for the females!!!)
One year I got fishnet tights and a feather boa Grin

OhtoblazeswithElvira · 10/12/2016 08:25

People seem to have really high expectations!

Last year I received a well thought-out, personal present (no details as highly identifiable). I was touched. However it was tat so I charity- shopped it in a few days. But I get enjoyment out of a generic box of chocolates, too.

To pp: I would have loved a box of Lego (thanks for the idea!) and not known what to do with a glass ornament Blush your colleague was rude though!

SmellyChristmasCandles · 10/12/2016 09:07

After a few years where everyone except one person managed to buy a well thought out gift for their SS recipient, we changed the format somewhat, after all, it is hurtful to see everyone opening their lovely/funny gifts while you open a crappy pound shop item. So, we made it that the price limit was £1 and it had to be the tackiest thing you could find for the price. That way, most of us would go to poundshop and nobody would feel snubbed. We did it as a lucky dip so gifts all fairly generic as well as tacky. Except that the cheapskate even managed to spoil that - on SS day, they happily took a gift from the SS sack, knowing that they hadn't contributed at all. And then claiming they couldn't afford it. So now, we don't bother.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 10/12/2016 10:36

After reading this I'm not sure my hot water bottle cover with a penis is going to go down too well.

daisypond · 10/12/2016 10:48

I'm also taken aback by people's high expectations of a Secret Santa. Some of the things mentioned here as rubbish gifts I think are just fine - chocolate, shampoo, shower stuff - this is what I would expect from a Secret Santa, if you're not going to go down the jokey gift route. You cannot know all the people you work with and think up some thoughtful, individual gift. It shouldn't be about money, anyway. There should be a maximum spend so that the gifts aren't too unequal.

ChocolateWombat · 10/12/2016 12:14

Yes, why would, and why should someone spend ages choosing a bespoke gift for someone at work that ey probably barely know? Why would anyone expect a deeply thoughtful gift and feel offended when the gift falls short of the £5 spend limit or looks like it was bought with little thougt. Secret Santa at work is basically one up from everyone pulling a cracker and getting a cracker toy....and to expect more in terms of effort or quality seems a bit daft and over invested.

This is why they often turn into either rude or daft SS - because the amount of money and effort put in CAN deliver rude or daft.

If everyone in the workplace isn't up for rude or silly, best not to do it.

I think SS has passed its peak - people are a bit sick of being in loads of different ones and having to spend the cash and receive tat....plus,not seems to generate angst.

Aki23 · 10/12/2016 12:38

We set a value of £5. Ive always been disappointed in what I have received even though it clearly matches the value. This year Ive got the person I really dislike, but Ive made an effort to get a couple of nice things. Its more about the spirit as you say. How sad for the person getting the rubbish gift.

MrGrumpy01 · 10/12/2016 12:38

Goodness I think I am pleased now my work colleagues are all far too grumpy to do this kind of thing.

However everyone put their hands in their pockets to buy gifts for 2 children as part of a Christmas gift appeal so probably better all round really.

saveforthat · 10/12/2016 13:09

Another one amazed by these replies. Secret Santa is supposed to be as rude and insulting as possible. Ive never worked anywhere that thoughtful gifts were given, anything else would be really boring. Cant believe anyone could be offendes or uncomfortable by SS

LindyHemming · 10/12/2016 13:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 10/12/2016 13:44

Do you know - the potential for vindictiveness had never entered my head.

What a spiteful, mean thing to do at a time of year when we are supposed to be forgetting our differences and offering goodwill to all.

Some people are beyond belief! Angry

Blackbird82 · 10/12/2016 13:50

A lady who I worked with many years ago was very overweight and somebody bought her a singing pig for secret santa. Everyone (but me) howled with laughter as she took it out of the box, red faced and mortified but she tried to laugh along. It was so nasty watching this gaggle of bitchy women humiliate her.