Last minute Secret santa rage!!!

[SchoolMumsAreTheWorst]

AIBU in thinking if you do secret santa you organise it weeks in advance (at the earliest) and give people the option to opt out.

I have 2 jobs, a weekday one and a weekend one. Weekday job haven't done as, I presumed weekend one didn't too until I went in last w/e and was told to go pick my name for ss....1) It was presumed I would be taking part and 2) I have a week to find and buy a present for someone. And 3) this person is off work on chemo so don't want to just buy some tat, I want them to think people are thinking of them and do care enough to put some thought into a present.

I'm mainly annoyed I've only got a week to think about it all.

[Isithometimeyet0987]

For a man I would still buy a nice moisturisor, a nice blanket, wooly socks TK max do some lovely men’s ones maybe some nice chocolates to throw in, if you know if they have a hobby throw in a magazine related to the hobby. A nice wee pamper pack for a man.

[SchoolMumsAreTheWorst]

I picked a name as mine had already been chosen and I don't agree with someone buying for me and then me not buying for anyone.

I have been stressing all week not knowing what to buy him. I'm thinking socks, a puzzle and a stress ball.

Thank you everyone for your help.

[MLMsuperfan]

Secret Santa is just awful. I would never do one.

I would buy a gift for a poorly colleague though.

[Snowpatrolling]

My grandma is currently undergoing chemotherapy, her skin is terribly dry and itchy and she’s always freezing cold, so anything for that,
Cancer research has an online shop or if you type in chemo creams lots comes up.
At least you may be able to get something delivered.
I did buy her an iTunes voucher as she used to play games on her phone whilst she was having treatment so that’s another idea if he has an iPhone!
I hate secret Santa with a passion! Just glad my work dont do it!! Lol!

[RhymingRabbit3]

Space mask is a good idea

[SillyUnMurphy]

Someone mentioned reusable straws - they had lots of different ones in Aldi this week; silicone and metal in a pack of five. I also saw Paw Paw lip balm sets in TK Max this morning.

[itbemay]

but YANBU - a weeks notice isn't long enough at this busy time of year x

[itbemay]

spacemask - you can buy them from amazon, get it delivered directly if you can hassle free :-)

[LtJudyHopps]

Thank you SO much for the notanotherbunchoflowers website! Peridot1 I’ll be bookmarking that one!
I was going to suggest a really rich moisturiser (as scent free as possible)

[Pinkyyy]

Why did you pick a name?

[Julianne65]

A week is fine! You've got time to think of a really lovely present for her. Lots of great suggestions here too. I wouldn't be annoyed. Most of the people in my office Secret Santa bought their presents on the day and they had a month to think what to buy!

[steff13]

People on chemo tend to get cold, so a warm blanket, or socks, or a shawl would be nice. Maybe peppermint tea for the nausea.

[hellsbellsmelons]

I absolutely refuse to do secret santa.
I've been screwed over so many times.
I don't care who thinks I'm a 'baaaaahhhhumbug'. I will not do it!
You can refuse OP.
My last excuse was 'No way. And yes, I am a baa humbug! but do not include me'
Job done.
No-one even questions it anymore!

[BoomBoomsCousin]

Surely it's less than a week unless you're working and gift exchanging on Christmas day?

Since OP specified this was her weekend job I would assume she was told to pick the name last weekend and will be giving the gift this weekend. She’s probably just posting now because the stress of finding the perfect gift is making her want to rant a bit.

[SchoolMumsAreTheWorst]

Hi, because I only work the weekend everyone else had drawn earlier in the week so my name had already been drawn so couldn't bow out.

Thank you for the fab suggestions. It's a male which makes it harder, I'm rubbish at buying for men lol.

[Notnownotneverever]

YANBU but you do have the opportunity to show some extra kindness to someone who is going through a rough time so maybe just focus on that and it might make the hassle of it more bearable.

Why not buy handcream and a little card game, mini quiz pack for them to do whilst they are having the treatment or waiting for an appointment. The little quiz boxes are for sale all over the place this time of year.

[MineralSpinner]

Here you go www.amazon.co.uk/Udderly-Smooth-Extra-Unscented-Moisturising/dp/B001KYTVZ0/?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt]

I sympathise. I came into work yesterday and had to buy something for tomorrow. I've also just found out I do need to buy for my friendship group.. urgh. Thought I was finished

[MineralSpinner]

Chemo gives you really dry skin. The only thing that helped was Udderly Smooth cream. Have a look at the reviews on amazon, honestly the stuff is amazing. Get a big pot of the extra care one, job done.

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

After several times of utmost hassle...

1. When I drew an appallingly bossy, intrusive woman who was very smug saying she ALWAYS discovered exactly who had given who what for ss.... (zzzz)... When I realised I'd spent more time trying to work out what would be nice/woudnt offend/wasn't too boring... She would be foul about any of these gifts.. ... Etc etc... And I worked out I'd spent more time thinking /searching for a gift than I had on family members...
   
   
2. when I was temping and so on very different work schedules-severak diff offices in one week... where I 'drew' (or had been put back several times before me!) the most difficult to buy for ss... And always, always, with very little time... The last time... Was at 830am for a lunchtime unwrapping... (**ck!)... So a panicked coffee break to find something 'thoughtful - for someone I don't think I'd ever spoken to......
   
   I now just gracefully bow out and spend the money I would have spent on people I like

[RhymingRabbit3]

Surely it's less than a week unless you're working and gift exchanging on Christmas day? Plus allowing time for delivery and to wrap etc I think it is far too short notice. I've got better things to be doing the weekend before Christmas than shopping for a secret Santa I didn't even want to do.

[ThreeAnkleBiters]

I would have thought a week was enough time but you should have had an opt out.

[Walkon]

The moo goo range is a really lovely gift and great for dry skin that can come with chemo.

[Witchend]

If you do it more than a week, then people think there's loads of time and forget about it.
But you should have been given the chance to opt out.

[FineWordsForAPorcupine]

You could just say no to being in the secret santa?