To overspend on work Secret Santa?

[Silverpossum]

With apols if this sounds a little tone deaf in the current climate.

First SS in probably 20 years... couldn't find anything decent looking for £10 which was the recommended limit and realised afterwards the items I ordered totalled £17.

Am I likely to be called out or is overspending ok/usual?? Sounds silly but I don't want the others to feel they were shortchanged with their gifts.

Our limit is £5. I found a lovely mini candle in M&S for £5 yesterday so I'm got that but I'll add some sweets to it as it looks tiny. Most people in ours go a bit over.

I bought a Christmas tin (technically wrapping so not part of the £10 budget) and made a tin of treats. Little things I knew they liked. Sheet mask, Percy pigs, nail polish, freddo, bic pens for work because the pens provided are crappy and some other stuff. She loved it. It makes a big difference when it’s someone you know well compared with when you don’t.

Secret Santa is ideal for regifting. I'm sure that some have probably been over the price limit but doesn't bother me. Just happy to rehome

The last one I did I was rest overspent on, which was made mortifying by the fact I got the person who had gifted to me, and I had not overspent

How can you tell if someone has overspent with all the offers this time of year?

I spent £12 but there were lots of good things I could have got within £10. The £12 thing was just perfect at the time. I think you should try your best to stick to the limit so that it's fairer for everyone.

I hate ss at work though, too much pressure!

I think it's fine, if anyone asks just say you got it in the sale.

We have the same limit at work, I normally overspend a bit because it's very limiting to find a gift with a tenner, especially if it's someone you don't know that well. I think loads of people overspend to be honest.

I also think most people overspend a little - or they appear to at least.

Unless it really looks OTT then I would leave it. Which it may appear a big overspend in terms of % I don't think it is wildly out and easily dismissible with a sale/bargain.

I reckon it’s ok to go up to around £12-13 .
One year we had someone go way over and it was a bit embarrassing for the recipient.
Expectations are often low for SS and if you get something nice it’s a bonus, though my current workplace seem really thoughtful in their gifts and everyone makes an effort.

I wouldn't go that far over unless it's not at all obvious, iyswim.

This reminds me of Michael buying Ryan the iPod for SS on The Office. Then the whole office playing Yankee Swap. 😂

Yes! If anybody brings it up they'll make themselves look like petty anyway, but it's easily waved away with a "Black Friday deals" type excuse. It's Secret Santa for goodness sake, anybody who is sitting there totting up the cost of the gifts needs to seriously get a life.

I'd just give it's is. I always overspent a little because what can you get for a fiver? If you get something else, you've just spent even more money on it. Either keep one of the items or give as is. Don't worry about it.

SS is a pain

Just do whatever makes it easier. Sounds like the gift is bought. Don't give it a second thought

Or secret Santa budget was £10-15, the item I got was £20 (diffuser from the white company) but there was 25% off it so it cost £15 then I got another 20% off with my blue light card so £13.50 but looks £20 but I agree with people, there's so many deals on these days x

Where did you shop online? I have found recently that a lot a products online (especially Amazon) are far more expensive than in shops?
Most high street shops do delivery so if you don't have time to go to actual shops then you can still order.
You could have got (for example) 3 Christmas paperback novels for £6 from the works. I think you would have to pay p+p which would bring it up to a tenner.
Or you could easily add some Christmas chocolates or socks to your supermarket order.

I think the limit should have been £20 or £25. You can't find anything nice for £10. X

You hardly bought them a diamond rolex. No one will notice or give a shit.

Hard to say without knowing what the items are - it might not be obvious.

If you've ordered two things, just give one of them and if it's a couple of £ short of £10, add something such as chocolate, a couple of scratch cards, sweets, biscuits or similar.