Oh god, office Secret Santa

[hyperborea]

I HATE office Secret Santa. The terrible pressure to get something pretty or thoughtful or funny for someone you don't really know, for almost no money. Without further destroying the environment by buying some pointless novelty crap which will go in the bin five minutes later. But if you don't participate, you are officially a Scrooge. So, anyone want to help me out? Middle aged guy, nice chap, got a sense of humour, no real idea what he's interested in out of work. £5 limit. That's it. You have as much to go on as I do . Help!!

[Blackberrybunnet]

£5 worth of scratch cards or lotto tickets

[FenceSplinters]

Have a look at Modern Toss. If he’s got a sense of humour it could be right up his street!

[BlowDryRat]

Our team's doing Secret Santa: the charity shop challenge. It's still a fiver each bit the charity shop element means it's doing at least some good.

[TwoLeftSocksWithHoles]

When I was forced to do it, I would give anything to anyone, e.g. a man's wallet to a woman, measuring spoons to a man, got rid of a dreadful ceramic photo frame that we had been given by an aunt to someone one year!

Fortunately it was secret, although maybe not that secret because I don't get asked now...!

[OohThatCat]

Does he like hot drinks? I sometimes get my santee's something nice from The Cozy Chocolate company (hot chocolate) or some nice tea form Bird & Blend.

[dottiedodah]

You say hes an older chap.What about a nice fountain pen (4.50) Amazon. or a Parker ballpen of the classic shape also £4.50 . Maybe wrap it like a cracker ?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

When I was forced to do it, I would give anything to anyone, e.g. a man's wallet to a woman, measuring spoons to a man, got rid of a dreadful ceramic photo frame that we had been given by an aunt to someone one year!

Fortunately it was secret, although maybe not that secret because I don't get asked now...!

This is just crap.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

And I don't believe there's such a thing as a 'nice' fountain pen for £4.50.

[Benjispruce5]

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

[Icantremembermyusername]

I've been very lucky this year! I know my secret santa recipient well :-) so I'm fairly confident she will like it! In the past I've had a bath bomb - just a shower here, a pair of chocolate boobs- which I took into work melted into crispie cakes, to name a few...
One year I did so well he sent out a whole staff email to say how much he loved his secret santa gift. That made me smile all through January and he still doesn't know it was me lol. His screen saver was Dr Who so I bought him a wind up dalek!
If you can't find out anything personal about him, go very generic so he can pass it on.

[SequinsandStiIettos]

www.amazon.co.uk/Cathys-Candy-Cart-Traditional-Juggling/dp/B09HSN99G9/ref=sr_1_101?keywords=secret%20santa&qid=1638649700&sr=8-101&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[SequinsandStiIettos]

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1104289233/squid-game-marbles-set-of-10-matching

[RedSquirrelsAreAwesome]

@CharityDingle - The story gets worse but I didn’t think anyone would believe me……..the plonker did the wrapping at his desk…….I can’t quite remember if it was in works time or during his lunch break but knowing him more likely the former 😂

[Laufeythejust]

My go to when I get someone I don’t know well but has a good sense of humour is a cup with something jokey on it. They’ll always get use in an office. If he has a hobby get that on it- my secret Santa last year loves cycling so his cup says Lycra wanker- he fortunately found it funny!

[pinkksugarmouse]

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

When I was forced to do it, I would give anything to anyone, e.g. a man's wallet to a woman, measuring spoons to a man, got rid of a dreadful ceramic photo frame that we had been given by an aunt to someone one year!

Fortunately it was secret, although maybe not that secret because I don't get asked now...!

I’m not a man but I wouldn’t be impressed with measuring spoons. However I know a few men who enjoy cooking and baking. Perhaps you weren’t that far off after all.

[pinkksugarmouse]

@Blackberrybunnet

£5 worth of scratch cards or lotto tickets

🤦🏻‍♀️ No. Really no. That smacks of “I would rather put the bins out than spend two minutes considering what to get for you” imho.

[pinkksugarmouse]

@FoxIvy

Don't understand why books are deemed inherently less wasteful than some of the other gifts suggested. Ones like those Famous Five ones are just tat (funny, but tat nonetheless). Increasingly people are reading things on kindles etc anyway.

The ladybird “funny” (not) books are definitely tat but a popular book is easily passed on. If nobody read paper books anymore then retailers wouldn’t stock them.

But joke books are just rubbish.

[Lindy2]

Lottery scratch cards. If he doesn't win at least he's not stuck with some item he doesn't want or need. If he wins he'll be very happy.

[foxgoosefinch]

The Private Eye annual would surely be a win.

[CharityDingle]

[quote RedSquirrelsAreAwesome]@CharityDingle - The story gets worse but I didn’t think anyone would believe me……..the plonker did the wrapping at his desk…….I can’t quite remember if it was in works time or during his lunch break but knowing him more likely the former 😂[/quote]

[goose1964]

A couple of these and a bag of mini marshmallows www.hotchocolatebombes.co.uk/orange-hot-chocolate-stirrer

[evilharpy]

@FlorenceWintle

The Beano annual

This is exactly what I was going to say. £4 in Home Bargains I think so enough left to add a bag of chocolate coins.

[Ormally]

Milk frother for coffee - Flying Tiger has some if you can get there.

[Buildingthefuture]

A tin of shortbread! Or, if he drinks one of those miniatures with a glass set from Boots. I got one about 15 years ago….still use it now

[Avarua]

Photo frame with a picture of your boss inside