To share or not to share Secret Santa Scratchcard Winnings

[WoolieLiberal]

I was given a National Lottery Scratchcard as a Secret Santa gift. I thought this was a bit naff until I realised it was a winner.

I won a (low end) four figure sum. I got excited and told my colleagues.

Since then, the person who gave it to me sent me a message suggesting (in a lighthearted way) that I might want to give her half. I replied with a laugh emoji as I thought she was joking, but she has since messaged me to ask if I have decided whether I am going to do so or not!

I’ve also been asked by three other colleagues if I could “lend” them “small“ (three Figure) amounts “to help with Christmas”.

DH says I was daft to have told anyone, but it’s done now and is none of anyone else’s business. He says I should treat myself for a Change.

I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t won anything because if I respond to all requests I’ll have virtually nothing left, and if I don’t, then I’ll be thought badly of and stingy.

There’s a woman at work who works part time and is married to a very wealthy businessman (the job is more of a hobby/something to do) and they’re always jetting off on holidays to far flung destinations, having meals out, nice cars and jewellery etc. No one has ever (to my knowledge) asked her to share her wealth.

If I knew a colleague was genuinely struggling I would help but this feels like vultures are circling. DH, DD’s and I are not wealthy by any stretch but “managing”.

Thoughts welcome!!

Like hell would I be giving them a portion of the winnings. I love the suggestion of buying another scratch card though!

Like the idea of buying them all a scratchcard and telling them you have made a charity donation. I wouldn't give the person who bought it hundreds as some have suggested.

You're paying off a family members debts who are on the breadline with the winnings. Donating to charity, that sort of thing.

Maybe give the buyer a couple of hundred quid to not look too stingy.

Just say it was a joke and it was taken out of context.

That's a difficult one and totally depends on your individual circumstances, both financial and including work situation.

I like the ideas up thread, to either give the giver half or spread it evenly amongst the team, but if this gift gets you out of a hole that would be a hard call to make.

As mentioned upthread, by the sound of it you are in with a group of colleagues who aren't going to let this go. Working with people like this doesn't sound great to be honest.

So your colleague gave you perhaps the laziest present possible but now you've won, she wants a share? Wtf is wrong with people. I wouldn't be giving her anything specifically because she asked!! And to ask for half? Jesus.

Give her a fiver and say that was half and you only won a tenner..

I wouldn’t give them a penny. Cheeky sods.

@Toomanysofttoys

Give her a fiver and say that was half and you only won a tenner..

good idea, or half of the cost of the card

I think it's all or nothing op. Either say no and laugh it off/ say you can't believe they are being so cheeky or split a set amount between them all evenly ( including the woman who is well off) and do a team email to say you won and are gifting them a bit each as it's Christmas but that you have been inundated by requests to hand over the winnings and it needs to stop ( and cc your boss). Then if they keep pestering get your manager involved.

When anyone mentions you giving or lending money literally just laugh and say 'ahah oh god imagine! Everyone would expect some then, I already know what I'm spending it on". Then leave it at that.

Why on earth did you tell them?

I'd be tempted to buy each team member a scratch card as you received.

@LittleOwl153 that’s what I thought immediately. That’s what OP got after all, and everyone has the same chance of a win.

If I gave someone a winning scratch card I would be gutted!! But I would never ask someone to share their winnings

It’s their gift to do what they want with it

Do NOT give anyone anything

@DonLewis

I'd give the person who gave you the card a hundred quid. Because it's Christmas and it's nice to be nice. But everyone else can do one! Cheeky bastards!

That would be a nice thing to do.

@VinylDetective

Why on earth did you tell them?

This, why?

Don’t buy scratch cards for people if you can’t deal with the fact they might win something.

was it a real card? someone i knew did a fake scratchcard for someone and the person thought they'd won £30,000 and it was a really mean joke. which is neither here nor there.

Tell them to back off
Or tell them that youve already spend it towards your homelown.

All gone

Now fuck off cheeky f-ers
Especially the one that gifted you the ticket.

Shewill be mad at you for not giving her the money. But she is mad anyway. In her head haha...

Enjoy it. Spoil yourself. Spread the joy in your own family.

Take a leaf out of Mrs Rich's book; you are not a workplace bank.

Thanks for the responses. So as not to drip feed and answer as many of the questions:

Sadly I did tell them how much.

It was £2K. (Hopefully that’s not too outing).

The gifter only revealed herself after I’d told everyone about the win (though no-one else has claimed to be the gifter so I’m sure it’s true).

I don’t want to be dishonest with anyone by making up reasons not to give.

I know now I shouldn’t have said anything.

If it is a fake ticket it’s a very good one.

For the moment I’ve told everyone I don’t have the money yet and have had lots of requests to share so I can’t make any promises to anyone.

To make this go away I’m thinking of doing this, which doesn’t involve dishonesty:

Keep half.

Divide the rest equally between the team (including those who asked, those who didn’t ask and the gifter).

I’m hoping that will keep everyone happy (though gifter is hoping for half).

DH thinks even that is daft but has said he respects that it’s my money not his and he respects my right to
Do what I want with it and won’t give me a hard time
Over it as he has not right to.

Don't divide it between the team! Christ, you are an absolute bloody angel if you do that.

HELL NO. It’s obviously cheeky fuckery for others to ask for any of it BUT it might be even worse from the gift giver.
They gave you something they saw as worthless but when it turned out to be valuable they suddenly wants part of it back? Fuck that, enjoy the money.

I agree with your DH! They are cheeky and money grabbing and I doubt they'd do the same if the tables were turned. Maybe a little bit to the giver (but they have been rude and entitled too) and some office treats. No way should they be rewarded for their rudeness by having half the money between them though.

Please don’t give in to the grabby people, just enjoy the money. Are you sure you want to keep working with these people? Any option for a different job?

Absolutely NOT!!! do not give your colleagues any money are you actually kidding?!! Give the person that bought it for you maybe a few hundred. Why on earth would your other colleagues be entitled to any?!!