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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what the hell to get for this Secret Santa?!

30 replies

perplexedandvexed · 08/12/2021 09:41

Need some ideas ASAP!

Just started a new job and been entered into the Secret Santa (not an issue, I said I'd join in)

It's a £15 limit

Issue is, the guy I've got works remotely so I've never even met him! He comes in the office sporadically but not while I've been here yet.

All I know is he's early 30's

Any ideas?!?!?

OP posts:
ChangeChingyChange · 08/12/2021 09:42

Booze related? Lots of little booze gift packs in the supermarket less than 15 quid.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 08/12/2021 09:43

Stalk his social media to see if he likes Star Wars or something.

Go from there.

NuffSaidSam · 08/12/2021 09:43

I wouldn't go booze because the could be problematic for some people.

I'd go for a book. A good book. Most people like a good book and if not it's easy to re-gift.

aprilanne · 08/12/2021 09:48

Not alcohol bad choice book a good idea or ask if anyone knows what he us into

MadeForThis · 08/12/2021 09:55

Coffee mug
Water bottle

galacticpixels · 08/12/2021 09:59

I've got a guy from work for SS and I got him a card game (Exploding Kittens).

If you can find out any of his interests then maybe something like a related mug.

daisypond · 08/12/2021 10:00

Not alcohol. Lottery tickets?

NuffSaidSam · 08/12/2021 10:04

Secret Santa really is the most pointless waste of everyone's time and money isn't it?!

TheLovelinessOfBaublyDemons · 08/12/2021 10:04

Lush Christmas bath bomb set.

MsAgnesDiPesto · 08/12/2021 10:04

@daisypond

Not alcohol. Lottery tickets?
Lottery can be problematic for gambling addicts or people of some religions.

I’d stick to either something practical, like a nice water bottle, or a good book. I’ve given lots of people Letters of Note over the years because there’s something in it for everyone - that sort of general interest non-fiction is usually a good bet for someone you don’t know well.

Kingstonmumof1 · 08/12/2021 10:05

I got torn apart on here last year for saying I made a charitable donation as a Secret Santa gift (Christmas dinner for a homeless person). I stand by that being a better use of money than plastic tat.

Rainbowqueeen · 08/12/2021 10:05

Book is a good idea
Xmas socks
Hot chocolate with a mug

LittleMissTake · 08/12/2021 10:07

Honestly I would wimp out with an Amazon gift voucher or similar.

girlmom21 · 08/12/2021 10:08

A nice notepad, a travel mug, bamboo socks?

Something quite generic but useful.

Fomofo · 08/12/2021 10:10

What's wrong with alcohol, he can always regift it

girlmom21 · 08/12/2021 10:11

@Fomofo

What's wrong with alcohol, he can always regift it
He might be religious or an alcoholic. It's just not sensible or fair.
sqirrelfriends · 08/12/2021 10:11

@Fomofo

What's wrong with alcohol, he can always regift it
Could be a recovering alcoholic? It's quite common to relapse over Christmas.
sqirrelfriends · 08/12/2021 10:13

I would scope him out a bit OP. See if you can find someone who knows him a bit

HerbivorousRex · 08/12/2021 10:17

I’d probably go for chocolate (it’s totally non-offensive and even if he doesn’t eat it himself then he can share it with friends/family over Christmas. This is vegan, gluten-free, all packaging is recyclable, and it’s cute, festive and delicious: www.chococo.co.uk/dark-chocolate-penguin.html )

Or a reusable coffee cup is nice, useful and fairly generic (again, it can be easily regifted if it’s not his thing): groceries.asda.com/product/bottles-flasks-travel-mugs/contigo-byron-travel-mug/1000006805165 I have this brand and really like it. You could pair it with a £5 gift card for Starbucks/Costa.

Basically the best case scenario for someone you have literally no idea about is that you buy something they either quite like or something they can give away easily to someone who will like it!

Disfordarkchocolate · 08/12/2021 10:17

I would never get alcohol unless someone had told me the liked wine/gin/rum etc.

Does he have anyone he works with who you could ask?

It's going to be very generic if you don't know him. So, nice shower gel, chocolate.

undertheglassceiling · 08/12/2021 10:18

No idea. I just got a fart machine for my ex-boss. Who I do not like.

Innocenta · 08/12/2021 10:21

Tony's Chocolonely! It's nice but not show-offy, you can get a handful of different flavours so he's likely to enjoy one of them at least - and if he's really not into chocolate at all, it will be very easy and low-effort for him to redistribute.

notanothertakeaway · 08/12/2021 10:21

@HerbivorousRex

I’d probably go for chocolate (it’s totally non-offensive and even if he doesn’t eat it himself then he can share it with friends/family over Christmas. This is vegan, gluten-free, all packaging is recyclable, and it’s cute, festive and delicious: www.chococo.co.uk/dark-chocolate-penguin.html )

Or a reusable coffee cup is nice, useful and fairly generic (again, it can be easily regifted if it’s not his thing): groceries.asda.com/product/bottles-flasks-travel-mugs/contigo-byron-travel-mug/1000006805165 I have this brand and really like it. You could pair it with a £5 gift card for Starbucks/Costa.

Basically the best case scenario for someone you have literally no idea about is that you buy something they either quite like or something they can give away easily to someone who will like it!

These are practical safe options, a good bet

Alcohol is fine if you know (1) that they drink and (2) what they like. Otherwise, best avoided. People keep giving me gin, I don't like it. So, bit of a waste of their money

notanothertakeaway · 08/12/2021 10:24

@Kingstonmumof1

I got torn apart on here last year for saying I made a charitable donation as a Secret Santa gift (Christmas dinner for a homeless person). I stand by that being a better use of money than plastic tat.
It comes across as virtue signalling, IMHO. Like when people say they gave to charity instead of sending Christmas cards (when they could perfectly well afford to do both)

If someone said "Whoever is due to buy me a gift, please consider donating to charity instead", I'd have more respect for that

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