Fuck it. Let’s have a ‘Shit Secret Santa’ thread.

[Retiremental]

Mine hit a new low spot this year with Bayliss and fucking Harding

@iftherewereahorseyinthehouse

Oh I've just remembered my ex, who was a bit of a shower dodger, got deodorant, soap and aftershave in secret Santa. I mean it was fair enough but also incredibly cruel. The people who worked with him were all women around his mum's age ( he was only about 20) and they may have thought they were doing him a favour in a nice, maternal sort of way. I don't know.

How do you actually date someone who smells?! 🤢

In my old office you really wanted the boss to pick your name out for SS. He was always busy and couldnt stick to the £7.50-£10 ish budget so for the 3 years he got me I got a big bottle of Baileys and some chocolates/wine. Was most pleased

I got these in our secret Santa yesterday 😩

That’s revolting... where would someone even go to buy one of those? (Surely that counts as non essential)

I'm fine with Bayliss and Harding. It's what I use as hand soap at home all year round. However, I've never received any as a SS.

@WizardOfAus she was about 26 and (I’m trying to think of a way to describe her and to illustrate how at-odds it was) considered herself an influencer on social media, wore an impressive amount of make up and fake tan, wore a lot of animal print and had a lot of very long hair extensions. She was not a knitter. She worked in a different department and considered herself above me, but she was junior in the popular public facing side of things while I headed up the technical side of things. She didn’t like that her team would come to me to ask technical questions. I think It was just an extremely thoughtless gift. I still have no idea what it was but still have it as it makes me laugh for being so shit.

polkadotpixie WTF! Just the thought of sweets that have been in someone's minge makes me feel sick.

I'm always confused by candy underwear. Surely of you used them for their intended purpose, the twang back would be agony.

Worst was half a bottle of hand cream that had gone brown and jellyish around the cap because it was so old.

@Lobeu

What exactly is wrong with bayliss and harding? I've never given it as a gift but haven't the foggiest why it's supposed to be awful?

Well I don't like it because it makes me itch like buggery!

I don't have particularly reactive skin, and have no allergies that I am aware of, so I can only assume the ingredients are rubbish.

Similar last year. Got a mug for someone then overheard them complaining to various groups about how they dont even like hot drinks.

Do they never have a friend over for coffee or tea?

In my first job aged 17 and with a thing for men in uniform I got a packet of 50 toy soldiers and some bluetac with instructions that I could put them on my headboard one at a time to keep count of how many I shagged. I laughed along but died inside.

In a previous workplace, the Creepy Pervy Man picked the Newly-Employed Young Woman to buy for. So he bought her an enormous dildo, because that's hilarious, right? The gifts are always handed out at the office party and everyone opens them at the same time. I was sitting next to her, she'd opened one end, realised what it was, and was incredibly disgusted and upset. So I quietly asked, "Do you want me to get rid of it?", passed her the box of chocolates I'd received, and hurried the offending item out of the room. When I got back, the Creepy Perv was badgering her to show everyone what gift she had been given, I really had to get cross to make him back off.
I don't do work Secret Santa any more.

I got a packet of Earl Grey teabags and a bar of chocolate. I never drink tea of any sort but the chocolate was nice. The

Thankfully the last couple of Christmases I have escaped the whole wasteful fiasco. One year we all donated a gift to Mission Christmas, which distributes them to children who are facing a difficult Christmas, and last year we just had a whip round for the Trussell Trust.

One year I was given a handbag holder, that you clip onto a table. What a load of crap! Never participated in another secret santa again!

@Canwecancel2020

Although sorry to be controversial... I really can’t understand why molton brown is so expensive

I totally agree it's Bayliss and Harding in fancier packaging

I do have Bayliss and Harding hand soap though which smells amazing

One year I received an economy box of biscuits.

@BrumBoo

Mumsnet is full of snobs

Absolutely this. Deluded snobs at that, who think they give just the best gifts that they believe looks like they were brought and wrapped at Harrods, and therefore are entitled to some niche, thoughtful gift in return. Completely missing the point of Secret Santa (and the fact that 90% of people who happily agree to it in November have totally forgotten until the day before, and grab the nearest thing to wrap).

SS threads are some of most whiney, ungrateful, entitled threads on AIBU this time of year, and that is really saying something...

Once again @BrumBoo I think I am in love with you!

@GlummyMcGlummerson, you always seem to pop up to say that when I'm having a bit of a moment! Wish my OH loved my grumpy arse as much .

Economy biscuits are great if it’s an economy budget

Get a room!

I no longer participate. 2 different workplaces, 3 different xmasses.

1: Guy who got me was new and didnt get me anything. I'd gone over budget for a woman I didnt know well who was of indian descent and I was pretty baffled but had got her some cheap and cheerful but nice jewelry and lots of things to put in her hair as she always seemed very glamorous. In fairness she was very pleased but to get nothing wasnt nice.
2) it was a bit of a last minute affair but the sort where you swap presents with one person. He smoked and I bought him some posh coloured cigarettes. He bought me..Nothing. we were both shift workers and his excuse was he didnt finish work until 2100 the night before.. Nevermind the several nights before that, or the fact he could have gone before work. Hell getting me a bottle of cheap wine from the shop near work would have been preferable to nowt!(And we worked right next to an asda too)!
3) I cant remember what I got for mine that year but knowing me I'd have tried my best to get something thoughtful and appropriate. I was known for dying my hair bright colours although at the time I had a modest Auburn colour. My manager got me and bought me a box of cheap noisy brown hair dye
The sort you find in ex stock shops etc. No use to me and clearly a 'joke'.
I was not amused.

MOUSY not noisy!

A picture of my head photoshopped onto an Amish man.

@DriveThroughSwabber

In a previous workplace, the Creepy Pervy Man picked the Newly-Employed Young Woman to buy for. So he bought her an enormous dildo, because that's hilarious, right? The gifts are always handed out at the office party and everyone opens them at the same time. I was sitting next to her, she'd opened one end, realised what it was, and was incredibly disgusted and upset. So I quietly asked, "Do you want me to get rid of it?", passed her the box of chocolates I'd received, and hurried the offending item out of the room. When I got back, the Creepy Perv was badgering her to show everyone what gift she had been given, I really had to get cross to make him back off. I don't do work Secret Santa any more.

Omg that's insanely inappropriate. Good on you.