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Original poster

My Secret Santa recipient could not have looked more pissed off at her present today

273 replies

Hassled · 14/12/2016 20:13

I thought it was quite nice - some Occitane hand cream. I don't know her very well but she's always highly groomed, dresses well, seems very pleasant - I thought hand cream would be safe. She has no way of knowing it was me, at least. But seriously - a room of 30+ people opening their gifts, everyone going "Yay! Thanks, Secret Santa!" and generally being cheery, and she just sat and stared at the hand cream like it was a glittery turd or something. I feel bad about it. Anyone else got their Secret Santa present so drastically wrong?

OP posts:
m0therofdragons · 14/12/2016 21:32

I never understand why people expect to love their secret santa gift. A random person who only knows you at work has to get you a gift. I barely know what to get for family. I had to buy for a director this year and I've gone for fun (NOT rude). He's earning £150k a year so I cannot think what I could get him for £10 that he'd get excited over. I've spoken to the guy about 3 times and each time it related to work. It's really hard!

MrsMattBomer · 14/12/2016 21:32

Yeah it's about as inoffensive as you can get. I wouldn't use it personally but the cogs would be turning in my head as to who I could regift it to!

I got booze off my secret santa this year (always a safe choice I feel).

BobbieDog · 14/12/2016 21:34

Charlotte

Shock

I take it you didn't like her?

FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 14/12/2016 21:34

Its just me and the printer at our xmas party.

Hope you like toner . . .

BackAgainAndAgain · 14/12/2016 21:35

Snowy yep, I have tubes in my handbag, in my drawer at work, and in the bathroom. Sister and mum (not old) both the same. People of all ages have dry skin, obviously this will be worse in winter.

BursarsFrogs · 14/12/2016 21:35

I'm just sitting here envious and amazed at the people who don't get dry hands. It's honestly never occured to me that there might be people out there who - despite washing their hands regularly and being outdoors and everything - don't get dry hands.

Off to slather my paws before bedtime. I'd have loved the OP's gift.

Judydreamsofhorses · 14/12/2016 21:37

I carry hand cream in my bag and have a tube on my desk - I teach and the soap in the loos is the cheapest, most horrible stuff possible. It's also the last thing I do before leaving the house and before going to bed (putting it on). I am 43.

PUGaLUGS · 14/12/2016 21:38

I would have like the hand cream OP.

SuburbanRhonda · 14/12/2016 21:39

everyone on this thread is suggesting it is something they have with them in handbags/drawers and use.

No, not everyone. Some people say they keep hand cream in their drawer or handbag, others are just saying they love hand cream and use it all the time, some say they don't use it but would be grateful. Only you are saying that because the 100 people you once worked with didn't use it in front of you but your granny did, that must mean it's a present for older people. Not a very logical deduction.

whattheseithakasmean · 14/12/2016 21:39

I have Secret Santa tomorrow, this thread is making me nervous. We only have a £5 limit, so no posh handcream expected (although I would love some). I fully expect chocs or smellies, which will be fine - I am easily pleased. I bought my SS a scarf I think is nice - I hope she can at least summon a smile, even if she really secretly loathes it.

Shesinfashion · 14/12/2016 21:40

I hate the greasy feel of hand cream. It's just a really boring gift isn't it?

captaincake · 14/12/2016 21:41

I've asked for hand cream for christmas and I'm in my 20s just. Get her the mr dick next year Grin

ThenOneFoggyChristmasEve · 14/12/2016 21:42

Meh, I think handcream is a little dull, thoughtless even, but I'd have smiled politely. Plus, I guess you don't have to put much thought into SS gifts.

I don't like to give toiletries generally though, even if they're naice. Just reeks of "I didn't know what else to buy you" to me.

Last Christmas I had just started in a new workplace and I got a guy I didn't know. One of my colleagues said "oh he really likes his red wine" so I bought him a bottle of Chateaux Neuf de Pape (it was on offer in Tesco so was only £3 over the limit).

I was sat opposite this guy at the party when the SS gifts were given out. He was ranting to anyone who would listen that "my SS only got me a bottle of wine, no thought. Just rubbish, what even is this??" Etc etc. I was mortified. Never forgiven that arsehole guy his performance.

PonkAlert · 14/12/2016 21:42

I once got my new boss a lip balm in the secret santa (budget was a couple of quid). When she opened it she looked horrified and explained to us that she knew her first husband was cheating when she found this particular lip balm in her house. I felt awful.

Mrsmadevans · 14/12/2016 21:42

I love l'occitane hand cream that was a great secret santa op

AutumnalLeaves38 · 14/12/2016 21:44

jellie,

Well, I think you'll be a winner there!

(I really enjoyed the spoof Ladybird books, too).

Bestthingever · 14/12/2016 21:45

I asked ds (17) for l'occitane hand cream this year. I'm reliably informed he got a cheap one instead Sad.

TeaPleaseLouise · 14/12/2016 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsMattBomer · 14/12/2016 21:48

My "I wouldn't use it personally" comment wasn't a comment on hand cream, just to say. It's just that I generally have more than enough hand cream as it is and I'd feel a bit guilty at using such a posh one as every day stuff. I'd definitely regift it to someone like my mum who only uses it when she's going somewhere so would get more use out of it.

charleyfarleysaunt · 14/12/2016 21:48

I've had L'Occitane bits a few times from friends and love it - it is 'posh innit'? how can anyone be pissy - she could always re-gift it!

My last SS many years ago was in a big team where everyone really got in to and spent a month going round whispering to find out what people wanted (plus we had done the '3 things we like' bit)... I got a fecking secondhand and rather grubby pair of Santa ear-muffs Hmm. Frankly that handbag would have been far more acceptable!

Original poster
Hassled · 14/12/2016 21:49

Yes, I'm perplexed at the number of people who don't have dry hands, too. It's something I just sort of assumed everyone got. But not my colleague, clearly :o.

OP posts:
galaxygirl45 · 14/12/2016 21:49

I was 19, 1st big office I'd ever worked in, and SS took place at the office xmas meal out at a very posh restaurant with all the big bosses. We had a lot of servicemen in our department, and sods law one of them got me - I was quite large chested (38DD) and they decided it would funny for me to get a trainer bra in front of 90 odd people. I was so so upset by it, and don't know how I didn't burst into tears. I felt so self conscious as it was. I'd have been overjoyed with hand cream, especially L'Occitane!!!

Youreyouryouare · 14/12/2016 21:51

We recently did one of those Christmas homeless boxes at a group I attend and asked people to bring along unused toiletries and there was many times more hand cream than anything else.

As with a previous poster, the only time I've ever needed it was when we were in NICU and I was inside under aircon all day.

marriednotdead · 14/12/2016 21:51

I've had some duff SS presents over the years including a posh mug (don't drink hot drinks) bathing sets (can't do bubble baths) and alcohol- nope, don't drink either. BUT these are not bad gifts in themselves, just not my thing. I managed to look suitably appreciative though, and would've been more than happy with the hand cream.

This year has been fab- we exchanged gifts at our Christmas dinner over the weekend. Everyone had made the effort to find out about their recipient and nobody seemed unhappy. Unless they were good actors!
I have a vair nice candle and a pretty pendant in my favourite colour Smile

mulberrybag · 14/12/2016 21:52

I'm the inappropriate one this year, I've bought mine some nipple tassels and a lacy nightie but I'm well known for being the joker and we're mostly all females so I feel like it'll go down well..... I could be very wrong though Hmm