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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think no one ever actually likes their secret Santa present?

89 replies

Dumptyhumpty101 · 08/12/2019 19:02

I’ve got two secret Santa’s coming up this week and have no idea what to buy either recipient (one is a 20 year old girl and one is a 30 year old guy).

It got me thinking, I don’t know what I would actually want to receive for £10 and I certainly don’t know what to buy someone else that they would actually love. Of course I can do the usual smelly bits but to me that’s not what gift giving is about. I want the recipient to receive something they would genuinely like.

So AIBU in thinking no one has ever been over the moon with their secret Santa gift.

If you have great ideas, please do feel free to share...

OP posts:

june2007 · 08/12/2019 19:04

I,ve had a few nice ones so that's not the case in my experience or my dh.

Lifeinaplasticbox · 08/12/2019 19:05

My best ones are cinema voucher or Greg’s voucher. Have went down a treat.

DaisyDando · 08/12/2019 19:05

This year I’ve said no! I’m not the only one and I’m sure I’ll find it very embarrassing on the day but I find I get anxious that I’ll get something unkind and I’m quietly ungrateful for the usual crap candle or cheap bubble bath.

Littleshortcake · 08/12/2019 19:07

We give to charity in our work and a sizable about is raised. I think it's better.

AllergicToAMop · 08/12/2019 19:07

Food, drink, book the cinema voucher pp mentioned.
Anything what will not need to sit on a shelf catching dust basically.

Original poster

Dumptyhumpty101 · 08/12/2019 19:07

@june2007 what did you get that you enjoyed?

OP posts:

AllergicToAMop · 08/12/2019 19:07

I loved a book I got

peachypetite · 08/12/2019 19:08

Scratchcards

OhioOhioOhio · 08/12/2019 19:10

Yes. I hate it.

fessmess · 08/12/2019 19:12

I either seem to get forgotten (so I give and get nowt) or o get shit. Like I give a bag and sweets and get a £3 deodorant. It is shit. I wanted to opt out but "ooohh you misery" comments meant I am doing it.

BecauseReasons · 08/12/2019 19:14

I got a nice scarf once. Still wear it.

june2007 · 08/12/2019 19:14

Wha have I got that I like, Earings, A minirucksack full of funsize bars. (the rucksack now is used as a pencase.). Can,t remember last years but I liked it. DS got headphones last year.

namechange34 · 08/12/2019 19:15

I do a charity donation then just print out a page with the charity's logo and write "Thank you for donating Christmas dinner for a homeless young person" or whatever is appropriate.

iklboodolphrednosedreindeer · 08/12/2019 19:16

I've had a few nice ones - wine, gin glass, notebook and a lovely pen.

Worst were 50 Shades of Grey and a reusable shopping bag from the £1 shop that had a tear in it.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 08/12/2019 19:16

I'm not arsed.Ive bought a colleague one that I've put thought into but if I dont get the same thought back I'm not bothered it's only a token gift

ConfusedAndStressed95 · 08/12/2019 19:18

I've always like what I've got and the people I've bought for liked theirs. I know that because I've seen them use them. But it depends on how well you know who you're buying for and how well they know you.

MotherOfSoupDragons · 08/12/2019 19:20

This is the second year I've opted out.

scrivette · 08/12/2019 19:21

One year I got beautiful Christmas Decorations which I love and still use now, I don't know who got them for me but it was very thoughtful as I love decorations.

I am pleased with what I bought this year, an beautiful notebook, bar of their favourite chocolate and a gift voucher.

Lamentations · 08/12/2019 19:21

Secret Santa is supposed to be funny and therefore only works with colleagues who know each other well, have a dark sense of humour and can stand having the piss taken out of them. Otherwise it's shit candles that nobody wants, which is pointless.

Charity donations are very worthwhile of course but I'd argue also completely miss the point.

lilgreen · 08/12/2019 19:21

It has to be alcohol.

codenameduchess · 08/12/2019 19:22

Scratch cards always seem to go down well, or vouchers as PPs have suggested (if you have a local vue you could get a £10 voucher for 'a seat and a treat' which is the £4.99 ticket plus enough for a snack).

I've got some real crappy secret Santa gifts though, I just stopped putting as much effort in after a few shit ones. Why was I bothering putting so much though in to gifts when all I got back was someone's cast offs.

lilgreen · 08/12/2019 19:22

I’ve bought chocolate for mine this year. Our budget is £5 and she is a self confessed chocoholic.

DesMartinsPetCat · 08/12/2019 19:22

I work in a close team and we always go to a lot of effort so everyone generally gets something they like, from someone who knows them well.

I really enjoy it.

evilharpy · 08/12/2019 19:23

I got lush smellies last year and really liked them. The year before I got gin.

Last year a colleague drew someone who had just bought a fancy new coffee machine. He went to a local coffee roaster and bought a bag each of their Christmas blend and another staple blend, and some lovely biscuits. I thought that was a great present.

Original poster

Dumptyhumpty101 · 08/12/2019 19:27

One person I need to buy for is a girl at work who I’ve never said more than hello to and the other is my friends fiancé who I’ve known for about 10years, still no idea what to get him that he’d love. I can just get a bottle of his favourite spirit and scratch cards if there is any budget left, just doesn’t seem very thoughtful

OP posts:

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