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

[perplexedandvexed]

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?!?!?

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

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

Go from there.

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.

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

Coffee mug
Water bottle

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.

Not alcohol. Lottery tickets?

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

Lush Christmas bath bomb set.

@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.

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.

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

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

A nice notepad, a travel mug, bamboo socks?

Something quite generic but useful.

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

@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.

@Fomofo

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

Could be a recovering alcoholic? It's quite common to relapse over Christmas.

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

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!

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.

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

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.

@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

@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

I’ve given moleskine notebooks previously, and they have gone down well.

www.amazon.co.uk/Moleskine-Classic-Notebook-Elastic-Closure/dp/8883701127/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2ZDGKTSDZ3QJX&keywords=moleskine+notebook+a5&sprefix=moleskine+notebook%2Caps%2C104&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1638959320&sr=8-3