Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mortified by gift from boss

325 replies

didyouscoredarling · 13/12/2021 20:12

I had two KIT days that fell for secret Santa, so I was included in it

I got my boss, he got me. He forgot my present on the actual day of secret Santa so he gave me mine the day after

I got him an aftershave he likes. It's a fairly cheap one (£20), and a small box of chocolates. Just Cadbury's, he loves chocolate

I was gifted today a 'I ❤️ Sports direct' mug with a pack of pens in and some sticky notes
Wtf.

AIBU to feel sad? Limit was £20...

I only know he was my secret Santa because he was late to the fisting...

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Nayday · 14/12/2021 19:20

That's really crappy! I'd be tempted to just leave it back in the office on your next KIT day. Or just be bold and when you catch up with him next say "jokingly "my SS didn't get much for their money!

EchosMum2007 · 14/12/2021 19:22

Totally shitty thoughtless present, he must have picked it from his cupboard from some of his promo tat selection (you know, the advertising crap some companies/clients send to their business associates). Still, less embarrassing than what I got about 15 years ago (used to work for a major media company in London), where one of my (male) direct reports presented me with a chocolate willy and some chocolate massage "substance" a-la Anne Summers. He was definitely not implying anything, just an office idiot, but still it was extremely embarrassing, considering it happened in the presence of a couple of my big bosses and the full team of my direct reports, and all other SS presents were normal and decent! It was also rather thoughtless, given that at the time I was going through a separation from my husband.

Craftycorvid · 14/12/2021 19:26

Oh OP! You absolutely win the 2021 creative typo’ award. 🤣

WhoopsWhatsMyNameAgain · 14/12/2021 19:31

That's poor. Especially from the boss.

spotcheck · 14/12/2021 19:38

@Justmuddlingalong

The work's secret Santa equivalent of a bunch of flowers from the garage. As an aside, I'm presuming the next government covid update will include a recommendation that at staff present swaps, fisting is discouraged.
Unless it's at #10, in which case, fist with abandon 😂😂
maybloss2 · 14/12/2021 19:48

Find a box label it “ crap and un wanted Xmas gifts” in very big letters. put the mug in it. Put the box where he will see it and be shamed.

Naillig222 · 14/12/2021 19:58

Those mugs are free. Also guessing he didn't pay for the sticky notes and pens. What a horrible boss.

ElsieMc · 14/12/2021 19:59

Thats really shit op. I did blanche a bit at the fisting, but hey ho.

My dd was once bought a 99p turbi towel in a school secret santa. It was from Bodycare. But a Sports Direct Mug is an even worse insult.

CathyorClaire · 14/12/2021 20:00

That's a crappy thing for him to have done, OP.

Save the tat for him for next year and slip it into the secret santa stash regardless who you draw (all to the good if it's him) It's got refisting regifting written all over it.

lonelyapple · 14/12/2021 20:02

Eat all his chocolates!

IcyPenguin101 · 14/12/2021 20:08

Crying with laughter here. Best thread I’ve read all week Xmas Grin

Mirw · 14/12/2021 20:11

This is why Secret Santa is crap. There will always be those who think "very cheap", whereas others who will go a wee bit over the limit. The cheapskates should be partnered together... I refused to do Secret Santa for this reason. I always got a cheapskate... But as I don't do Xmas, I had legitimate excuse - it is my belief that Xmas should not happen unless you are Christian, so under the Equality Act nobody could make me take part. This year none of that nonsense as am self employed...

WonderfulYou · 14/12/2021 20:15

I would be really disappointed in that and would rather just have chocs or a bottle of wine.

However I guarantee that some MNers would spend £20 on a pack of pens, so chances are he did spend the correct amount and put the cup in there to bulk it out.

whynotwhatknot · 14/12/2021 20:16

what a tightarse im sure theyre free

Veryverycalmnow · 14/12/2021 20:25

Should get him a card and call him ebezeezer scrooge in it

FeeLock · 14/12/2021 20:26

Yuk. I loathe secret santas in the work place as it puts an additional financial burden on people who often can't afford it at a particularly expensive time of year, but rarely feel they can express this.

Either you can be inventive about rubbing his nose in his parsimony which will risk leading to his taking it out on you, or just suck it up and be more guarded next year. Either way, you have my sympathies! Flowers

ChristmasRobins · 14/12/2021 20:43

At least I can make use of the mug! (I don't actually drink tea/coffee but can put pens in there)

This is a bit like when Pooh and Piglet give Eeyore an empty honey jar and a burst balloon and Eeyore happily puts the burst balloon into the honey jar. One shit present inside another.

Eleganz · 14/12/2021 20:50

Well we all know that he didn't just "forget" to bring your present on the day, he forgot your present completely and cobbled together something shitty with a mug possibly from the staff kitchen and a raid of the stationary cupboard.

I participate in the work Secret Santa as it is the "done thing" but have never received anything remotely thoughtful with even a tenth of the effort I put in (even though this gets less each year), but I have learnt to have zero expectations now. We did our Secret Santa remotely last year and I received nothing, so fingers crossed this year!

Maireas · 14/12/2021 20:53

@ChristmasRobins

At least I can make use of the mug! (I don't actually drink tea/coffee but can put pens in there)

This is a bit like when Pooh and Piglet give Eeyore an empty honey jar and a burst balloon and Eeyore happily puts the burst balloon into the honey jar. One shit present inside another.

He spent his birthday putting the Damp Rag in and out of the Useful Pot. Good thinking - put the post its in and out of the mug. Hours of fun.
CathyorClaire · 14/12/2021 21:01

A quick google reveals they cost £1 on the site plus the rapacious £4.99 delivery Sports Direct extort. From what I've seen no self respecting charity shop is without one on the 50p shelf. eBay sellers however inexplicably seem to think they're selling a hen's tooth at about £8.50 a pop Shock

I hate secret Santas too. Never had a success with them (one whined endlessly about what I'd bought) and the last one I participated in took place in the morning while I work afternoons. Meant it was piggin' obvious to the recipient who'd bought it and negated the whole concept.

Never again...

Never again

CathyorClaire · 14/12/2021 21:03

And again...Never again Wink

Pinklemonade1 · 14/12/2021 21:06

Who cares? It's just a bit of fun. He was probably busy. Don't do it next year if it worries you what you actually receive.

shreddednips · 14/12/2021 21:08

I typed the word 'fist' into a google shopping search to try and find a witty secret Santa gift to add to this thread. What a mistake 😬

EekGoesTheBaby · 14/12/2021 21:30

@CathyorClaire

That's a crappy thing for him to have done, OP.

Save the tat for him for next year and slip it into the secret santa stash regardless who you draw (all to the good if it's him) It's got refisting regifting written all over it.

Yes! I was going to say the same thing! You don't actually have to draw his name next year. He'll get two gifts, which will draw even more attention to the crap mug.
saddowizca · 14/12/2021 21:46

Maybe ask him for the receipt so you can exchange it? Yes I know he grabbed them from the stationery cupboard, but it would be good to watch him squirm. The least he could have done is to put an IOU in a card, or even better some cash. Pretty shabby tbh.

Swipe left for the next trending thread