to feel a little sad? (Secret Santa related)

[JollyGiraffe]

At work amongst our group of 10 including our manager did a Secret Santa.

We are a fairly close group, spend quite a lot of time together and I get on well with everyone (although I don't know my manager as well).

Our budget was minimum £20, and date of exchange decided a month ago.

I found a great gift for the person I was buying for, as they had briefly mentioned in conversation that they wanted it. They were very grateful and genuinely happy with their gift, which to me is much more important than receiving a gift. I get very excited when people open presents I have bought them!

Everyone else received lovely personal gifts, such as a new clutch bag, makeup, something related to their upcoming wedding, scarves, personalised gifts and candles.

My gift was a box of chocolates. It was not even wrapped, and was given in the carrier bag it was bought in, receipt still inside. The person had not spent even the minimum £20. Of course, I said thank you (although I don't know who bought them). It was quite difficult to be ecstatic about a box of chocolates though!

Other people in our department were admiring people's gifts, and when they asked to see what I got they looked a bit awkward and didn't know what to say

I am not a difficult person to buy for- I have interests which the others are all aware of (although perhaps maybe my manager doesn't).

AIBU to be a little upset?

It's a shame the chocolates weren't wrapped, but other than that I can't see what's wrong with them. I'd much rather have chocolates than candles, make-up, smellies, bags etc.

So, yeah, don't be an arse and make the giver feel bad about buying what is, in your opinion, a crap present, because it is just your opinion, not a fact.

Oh dear, I think people think I would actually try and make the person feel bad! Of course I never would, that would not be very gracious at all! My comment about leaving them with a note was just a lighthearted joke on here, I would never actually do it. Nor did I (or would I) make a nasty comment when opening a present.

As far as the giver is concerned, I was happy to receive the chocolates.

Those who have said the present is not thoughtless in itself are correct- but the fact that the chocolates weren't wrapped, came in the carrier bag they came in and still with the receipt is very thoughtless in my view.

I think it may actually have been my manager- the rest of us have all been talking about secret santa for the last few weeks (so no chance to forget, and most people had already organised theirs a couple of weeks ago). I bet she feels a bit awkward

I'd much prefer a box of chocolates than a candle or makeup (from someone who doesn't know my preferences), so I don't think it's a poor present per se.

That's a kind thought hesterton. I never thought of that.

I would feel a bit put out but there isn't really much that can be said without sounding ungrateful. But no YANBU

A few years ago, there was no present for me in our Secret Santa box. The next day a bag turned up on my desk with some out of date jelly cubes and a skipping rope in it (clearly junk lying around in their house!)!! The budget was only £5 so I wasn't too bothered but I left it until the year after before I felt I could say anything and make a joke out of it (I knew who had given it)

Jelly cubes and a skipping rope?! some people have no shame!

Hesterton, in this particular group that is definitely not the case, but I do appreciate that that may be the case for others. One of the reasons I try to get something I have thought about!

I'm sure everyone will be shocked to know there is another Secret Santa for the whole department next week, based on the responses to spending £20. This one is £10 budget. I was also invited to join another one but politely declined!!

I’ve posted this before but one year a group of absolute bitches got a woman in my team a chlamydia testing kit. She’d just left her husband as she’s found out he’d been shagging prostitutes. Some people are cunts.

Standing i can't say what is was as it would be so outing & I don't know who might be on MN. I think at least one person has realised I've withdrawn a bit from the group... At the time I wanted to know who it was (& could in theory have asked the person outside the group who assigns names but I felt I shouldn't). I was hurt & angry to think that was how they saw me. Anyway, I've bought them something I hope they will like and find useful.

In other news got a lovely secret Santa from my other group this week! :)

Oh Sylvia :( That is somewhat worse than what I got!

sylvia I'd have reported that to HR.

I'm worried now. I'm taking part in my first secret santa for years, and have been looking forward to it. £10 budget. I got a scarf but had some money left over and as I'm new I asked someone what sort of thing I should get, she suggested chocolate so I've got a massive bar of dairy milk which was £2.50, the budget I had left, it's huge. But I'm worried this is crap now.

People like different things. I'm convinced I'm going to end up with wine, I hardly drink and definitely not at home. I don't like posh chocolates, hate baths and use certain shower gel etc. But given I'm new, I can see me ending up with one of these. A lot women like wine, candles, baths etc but to me it's a bit of a crap, impersonal present.

I like the challenge of spending the budget as closely as possible.
I'm sure yr present will be fine flashsloth Like the name :)

One of the group of bitches was our HR department. I bloody hated that place. The good news is I’m still friends on fb with both the bitches (for stalling purposes only) and the wronged lady - all the bitches are still doing exactly the same jobs, posting about counting down the minutes until Friday, wronged lady has a strapping new husband and is constantly posting pictures of herself looking fabulous in wonderful places.

Flash sounds great for a £10 budget!

sylvia Karma!