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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Cheeky Secret Santa?

21 replies

Mosschopz · 10/12/2017 14:02

OK...work secret santa, the lady I've got works for me, budget is a fiver and it's expected that you leave little clues before the big fiver gifts are exchanged. WIBU to spend £5 on little treats in the lead up to Christmas break and the gift her this: a beautifully packaged designer notebook that I clearly haven't bought myself (it was given to me as a promotional item from the designer) but I know she will like? Is it a bit cheeky to give something that's obviously a re-gift?

OP posts:

user1471517900 · 10/12/2017 14:07

How would the little gifts be clues to a notebook? If you want to add this to something else then do that otherwise it does feel a bit cheap.

Original poster

Mosschopz · 10/12/2017 14:09

No the clues are to who you are, not clues to the final gift.

OP posts:

user1471517900 · 10/12/2017 14:12

I'd still just add the notebook to something else if you think she would like it (and you don't want it yourself).

MikeUniformMike · 10/12/2017 14:12

I think it would be ok if it is a really nice notebook.
If it is something that is obviously a freebie and not particularly apt then it isn't.
E.g. Building supplier diary emblazoned with company name might be shit but something covetable might be better than say a box of chocs.

putdownyourphone · 10/12/2017 14:13

I think that sounds fine, I don’t think it matters how much you spend when the gift is nice and something they will appreciate

WineIsTheAnswer · 10/12/2017 14:18

If your spending your £5 on the lead up bit, you may give her hopes up for a big end present. You may also annoy a few other gifters with the lead up clues costing money and then look like a twat when the gift is revealed to be a freebie. I would just do the normal lead up bit, spend £5 on something and still give the note book. Your still spending/giving the same.

Longhairmightcare · 10/12/2017 14:22

I’d do what wine says and get her something for the £5, and add in the notebook as well. She’ll appreciate the notebook but it won’t risk looking like you’re trying to ‘pass it off’

TwoPoint · 10/12/2017 14:25

It's secret. Why do you care?

user1471517900 · 10/12/2017 14:27

It does smack of no effort too. Almost lile you've just looked around the desk to find something to pass off. Even if it is nice.

It's a fiver. Just get something to go with it.

ShuttyTown · 10/12/2017 14:28

How do you leave clues and buy a 'big' gift with £5! Too much effort for me I'd have to bow out of that office tradition

Fairyfellowsmasterstroke · 10/12/2017 14:35

I'd buy a nice pen for £5 and gift it with the notebook.

Problem solved!!

diddl · 10/12/2017 14:38

What's the point in SS if you leave clues as to who you are?

Just buy something for a fiver & give the freebie as well?

OhNoOhNo · 10/12/2017 14:40

Yeah, Fairy has a good idea. Pen with notebook.

Or a box of chocciee.

PavlovaPlease · 10/12/2017 14:53

We do secret santa with a group of friend's. Mine gave me an amazing freebie she'd blagged and didn't want but also gave me a £5 gift. Lucky me

duffaho · 10/12/2017 15:03

Having been on the receiving end of an obvious freebie (bitter ? me?) and nothing else I also advise adding a nice pen to the notebook. You wont have spent MORE than £5 and your recipient has a lovely useful gift.

Vitalogy · 10/12/2017 15:16

I think the nice notebook will be just fine. My secret Santa gift was partly bought with some money off coupons, they've ended up with gifts worth more than the set amount, plus I've not had to spend so much, win win.
I thought this thread was going to be about x rated secret Santa presents. I thought the regular kind is bad enough
How much would the notebook cost to buy then?

Original poster

Mosschopz · 10/12/2017 21:52

Thanks all. Photo attached. It's a cream faux leather zip-up wallet with basic notebook but I take the point that it might seem cheap so I'll buy her some chocs and eBay it. They're going for £25 apparently.

I didnt make the rules for the SS game, I'm just playing it.

OP posts:

JacquesHammer · 10/12/2017 21:58

@Mosschopz

It's a far nicer gift than chocolates. That DOES smack of no effort.

Absolutely give her the notebook if it's something she would like

Miraclesparklestars · 10/12/2017 22:05

The last SS I did, I got given an obviously used baking dish.

I'd be thrilled with that notebook! It's actually quite nice. A pen would also be appreciated by me, but that's because I can never find one in this house!

BlueNeighbourhood1 · 10/12/2017 22:08

Give her the notebook, it looks beautiful and I'm guessing she would appreciate it more than a box of Celebrations.

Vitalogy · 10/12/2017 23:11

There's absolutely nothing wrong with giving that notebook on it's own, very nice it is. I'd be pleased with that, £5 budget I'd be more than pleased, I'm not sure why people have this problem with re gifted stuff, I don't get it. I wouldn't have a problem with pre owned things either, if they're good, they're good!

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