Secret Santa - got the boss

[fingersdoublecrossed]

Suggestions, please!

Secret Santa has been drawn at work today, and I've got the boss.

Elegant and sophisticated lady in her 50s, don't know much about her, definitely not a novelty/joke gift, budget £10.

I'm already stressed about it! 🤦‍♀️

Good olive oil or balsamic vinegar
Good coffee
Nice biscuits- perhaps ones for a cheeseboard for a change

Always consumables. No one needs more "stuff".

@Jumpingintochristmas

I know I suggested a tote bag but I was thinking Not on the High Street etc. I think Radley is quite dated now, sorry.

It's just a bag. A bag for somebody, for a tenner, to fulfil a social obligation. It doesn't matter.

Call me a kill joy, but I find the idea of knickers with bells on for one's boss really quite revolting.

@wtfisthatspiderdoing

Don't get a scarf!! It screams "I couldn't think of anything and all middle women love a scarf so I just got that! 🤷‍♀️"

And hand cream. That too.

Posh notebook or pen

@loveablequalities

Good olive oil or balsamic vinegar Good coffee Nice biscuits- perhaps ones for a cheeseboard for a change

Always consumables. No one needs more "stuff".

I read that as the coconutty Nice biscuits you can buy for 29p a packet in the store at the end of my street.

I agree with avoiding scarves. I have three scarves. All Christmas gifts. I have never worn a scarf in my life.

I would use hand cream however as I suspect most people would (unless skin sensitivities) and I like the tote bag idea too.

small plant for her desk
M&S scented candle
good quality chocolate
nice stationery, especially if you're in the public sector (we don't have a stationery budget in my department any more)

I agree with avoiding scarves. I have three scarves. All Christmas gifts. I have never worn a scarf in my life

Same here. I'm always baffled how many people seem to want to give and receive scarves in threads like this.

I assume we're talking about decorative scarves, the female equivalent of a tie, if you like, rather than knitted ones designed for keeping your neck warm?

@Garriet they aren't nice at all!

I assume we're talking about decorative scarves, the female equivalent of a tie, if you like, rather than knitted ones designed for keeping your neck warm?

I assumed so too. Strange floaty things which are some kind of weird shape you don’t quite know what to do with, usually with an ugly pattern.

A pretty / arty desk calendar that has a different picture or quote everyday. Some of them are so pretty and nice quality too.

Does she like gardening?
You could get a nice basket and put lots packets of annual seeds to sow next year. You could get a lot for a tenner.

As a senior woman in her fifties I hate tat. I don't want pens, mugs, scarves or novelty items.

Nor do I want soap.

I always appreciate a tube of lovely hand cream though. £10 buys a good one.

Thank you

Also happy with chocolate (even though I don't really eat it) or any other kind of consumable though. Something which if I don't want, I can regift easily over Xmas.

Please don't give anything which is going to have to go to the charity shop. That's a hassle.

Elegant and sophisticated lady in her 50s, don't know much about her, definitely not a novelty/joke gift, budget £10.

I'm not elegant or sophisticated or a senior manager, and I'm a touch older than that, but I'll weigh in anyway. I loathe scented candles and I don't use handcream. Stationery would not get used. Books are very personal, so I wouldn't risk buying a novel for someone you don't know. I've got no particular objection to scarves but rarely wear the thin ones. Woolly ones for winter wear are more my thing, but I don't need any more. Ditto gloves.

I'd be happy with decent chocolates or something alcoholic or a really nice foody thing (in all cases, quality over quantity). Or a bouquet of flowers, but you can't really wrap those for Secret Santa. Or a plant.

I can't believe people suggested a £10 scarf for an elegant and sophisticated lady.

Small and low maintenance plant for desk in a nice pot.

You literally cannot go wrong.

Totally agree that books are a bad idea. The chances are she won't be interested or she'll have read it.

Voucher for nearest hipster coffee shop
Posh coffee or tea and some nice biscuits
An orchid

Hotel Chocolat - 3 for £10 selection

Don't get her freixenet gift set or cheese knives! Keep it simple - posh chocolates, hand cream or nice scented candle (not a yankee candle one!). Or a nice notepad.

A Chillys type of water bottle?

Just get her some bloody chocolates. If she doesn't want them, she can give them to someone else over Xmas.

No cheap scarves or any other stuff!

I've never started a thread with so many replies before - thank you!! 😂

I might go a bit over budget.. we have to have visible IDs so I thought about a rose-gold lanyard with an extendable cord for getting through security doors. Thought I might drape it over the neck of a bottle of English sparkling wine...
Even if she hates the lanyard, she can still get pissed?!

Like this...

Nice mug.
House plant.