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Original poster

Secret Santa - help!

55 replies

Jinxed2 · 07/12/2019 20:10

Our work secret Santa is done differently to normal, it’s well and truly secret... we don’t know who we are buying for!!

Please help me think of something decent! All female.... aged between late 20s to late 50s.... £10 limit

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
SheOfManyNames · 07/12/2019 20:31

I would avoid alcohol. Some people don't drink, and some may be recovering from alcohol problems and don't want to talk about it. Since you have no way of knowing who you are buying for, you can't exactly find out!
Simple things are nice toiletry/bath sets, Christmas bedsocks/slippers etc.

Original poster
Jinxed2 · 07/12/2019 20:32

Thanks for all the suggestions, it’s hard as some drink some don’t, some have food intolerances etc. Some are girlie, some really aren’t! I’d much rather know who I’m buying for as I keep finding stuff in shops that I know one of them would love but then thinking... “but *** would hate that” Grin

OP posts:
cannycat20 · 07/12/2019 20:36

Another one here saying, not booze - not everyone drinks alcohol.

Nice hot chocolate (or ordinary chocolate, or biccies, or tea, or coffee)
Novelty USB
Warmie hot water bottle (not sure how much they go for though - they're the long ones)

StKnickerloss · 07/12/2019 20:36

@Jinxed2

If it's truly secret secret Santa, I'd be tempted to buy something from lovehoney! 😀

slashlover · 07/12/2019 20:36

I did a hamper with some DVDs from the charity shop, popcorn, some sweets, fluffy socks and put them in a big bowl for the popcorn to go in.

A fancy water bottle?

thegreylady · 07/12/2019 20:41

These are fun 🙂

Secret Santa - help!
GameSetMatch · 07/12/2019 20:54

How about a nice water bottle, everybody seems to have them these days and are constantly carrying them around. You can find ‘chillis’ ones in TKMaxx for £10

pinacollama · 07/12/2019 21:43

I got 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse' by Charlie Mackesy for mine, was just over £10 on Amazon and is a beautiful book.

SundayShawl · 07/12/2019 22:05

Something like this maybe? Nice bath/shower bits leaving a useful jar when it's empty.

Secret Santa - help!
alwayscoffee · 07/12/2019 22:40

If you don’t know who you are buying for get an M&S voucher. I’d hate slipper socks or hand cream but would love lots of Percy Pigs. M&S offers all those options.

Original poster
Jinxed2 · 07/12/2019 22:44

I feel like a voucher is a bit of a cop out. It’s my first Christmas there so want to do well 😂

OP posts:
Murinae · 07/12/2019 22:48

I don’t drink and am sick of getting booze for secret Santa. Last year someone got me a nice mug with a sachet of hot choc and a small Christmas cake in it. That was much more to my taste

bumblingbovine49 · 07/12/2019 22:52

You are overthinking this. You don't know who it is for so buy something you would like. You can't buy something that will please everyone. I have read enough MN threads about unwanted presents to know that . Some people like chocolate, others hate it, ditto alcohol, scarves etc etc.

I personally love getting fancy hand creams as I get through loads and am always buying myself some but according to most people on here, it is the absolute worse present ever.
Don't try to please everyone with one present . It is nigh on impossible

inwood · 07/12/2019 23:13

I'd get an ice breaker game in m & s or similar, no alcohol, no food, cardboard so can be recycled and won't end up straight in landfill!

BenevolentEzza · 07/12/2019 23:19

Just get a £10 Primark/Costa/Starbucks/Greggs/Boots/Superdrug or similar gift card.

I'd be happier with any of them than with a totally inappropriate gift.

Craftylittlething · 07/12/2019 23:27

I’d second a Costa/ Starbucks voucher but I don’t join in with secret Santa because I don’t want a crap generic gift

TokenGinger · 07/12/2019 23:29

I third a Costa voucher or whatever is your nearest coffee shop to work. If they don't treat themselves to a morning coffee, tea, frap, ice cooler etc., there's always the choice of cake or getting lunch from there.

I don't drink so I'd hate booze. I don't like nuts so a lot of chocolates are out. I have sensitive skin so bath sets aren't good.

I liked the suggestion for a good book, too. Most people I know read. Or a notepad and nice pen for work.

maddening · 07/12/2019 23:30

Beautiful xmas decoration.

georgialondon · 07/12/2019 23:30

I don't know anyone who would like a candle. Myself included. I think it's the worst generic gift.

Topazance · 07/12/2019 23:39

Make up bag. Umbrella. Fold up tote bag. Funny teacloths. Gloves. Socks.

namechangenumber2 · 07/12/2019 23:49

I'd go for a mug and biscuits. Most people would be able to make use of those!

Avoid alcohol as they may not be drinkers..

Pipandmum · 07/12/2019 23:52

Like the umbrella idea - a nice patterned one!

IYCBABeKind · 07/12/2019 23:59

Gift card for Starbucks/costa n a bar/box of chocolate (size dependant on value of voucher)

GreenTulips · 08/12/2019 00:00

Suggest a game!

Deal out a pack of cards and all gifts are in the middle -

Second pack of cards, take the first one and the person who matches it, chooses a gift.

Then the next card and so on, now the when the gifts are gone the next match gets to take a present off someone else, and the game keeps going!! Some will have gifts, others get nothing!

RedLipstickHighHeels · 08/12/2019 14:57

Some will have gifts, others get nothing That’s really bad idea and sure to upset colleagues
What happens for the colleagues who get nowt? Oh well tough luck...