What’s the best secret Santa present you’ve ever received?

[LetMeLayAmongTheStars]

Just looking for some ideas because I’m stuck with what to get my secret Santa this year!

I got a carved wooden box filled with my favourite sweets.
This was in 1997, The box is on my sideboard right now, I love it!

I was disappointed several years ago because I got a notepad and one of those handbag bags - a cloth bag that fold in a small pouch you keep in your handbag. How boring I thought, and I wondered what the buyer thought of me. Boring? Still have that handbag bag several years later, and use it, unlike other secret Santa gifts!

Batteries. I had 2 pre teen children and it was the run up to Christmas. Chap spent his £10 on a marvellous array of BOGOF batteries (AA and AAA) which were an utter godsend and lasted us until summer.

Worst gift for me is smelly bath things as I’m allergic to them.

A sticker of Pope Francis that makes him look like a passenger in my car. They were worked I'd be offended. (Practicing catholic) I was not. I love it and it's still in my car, al be it faded almost two years later

The only thing I would say is know your audience - I bought (what I thought was a lovely, thoughtful gift) a "The Snowman" snowglobe for a bloke who I am really friendly with and who I happened to know loved The Snowman.

Come present opening day, everyone else had alcohol or something jokey and he opened his and it was the bloody snowglobe. His face just fell and he got serious ribbing. I owned up to getting it thinking they just didnt understand and look at how thoughtful I had been. I should have kept my mouth shut! I literally haven't heard the end of it all bloody year and am currently organising this years and have had emails asking if snowglobes are acceptable!

Most of mine have been shite but my nicest was actually in a new grad house share. There was a guy who I’d have expected to have been useless but he got me some loccitaine soaps which were really nice. Every other one before or after that were tat. His one sticks out as being a major exception.

I think these snowflake decorations
would be gorgeous as secret Santa presents

A nerf gun - but you had to know me and know I was going into some really stressful meetings that week for that to work.

Homemade goodies go down well if you know your victim well - am getting subtle hints from my team about what they would like me to make if they are my victim (brownies, bacon jam and flavoured gin!)

I don't think you can go far wrong with a bottle of wine, unimaginative but practical!
I've never had a good Secret Santa gift, last year it was a T-shirt emblazoned with 'I'd rather be down the allotment' which was true, and the giver obviously knew her audience, but it was far too small - probably didn't want to insult me - so ended up in the charity shop bag.
My husband was given a really good one last year, an M&S Family Quiz that cost £5 I think. It contained four well pitched separate quizzes and a chalkboard for scoring. We did a couple with the family, had an impromptu Quiz night with neighbours and took the last one on a weekend away with friends. It was a fab gift.
I'm pleased that I snapped up some Georg Jensen Christmas tree ornaments in the January sale because one of those is going to be my Secret Santa gift and baubles seem to go down well, on this thread at least. Wonder what tat I'll get in return 🤔
I always think a good book is a great gift if you know what kind your receiver enjoys.
Is that your Etsy page What?

@DesdamonasHandkerchief not at all just thought it might be a nice and appropriate gift

@Toddlerteaplease my mum would LOVE that!! She is a real holy Joe and would see the funny side. Any idea where it's from?

I think they got it from B&M. I've been looking for a replacement, as mines faded. Think you can get them on eBay and Amazon.

Thanks so much Toddler...will try to hunt one down! 😁

Just found it on Amazon and ordered....and a zombie one for DH. 😂

See, I would hate quilled snowflake decorations, but I'd love white porcelain stars or similar.

I saw someone with those car stickers- it was HM, waving with one hand- it was hilarious and fabulous at the same time, really made me smile on a boring commute.

I hate wine of all types and DH only drinks red, so us getting a bottle of white means that if gets plonked on the shelf until we can pass it on to someone else (usually the bottle tombola at DCs school fayres).
The battery idea is genius