What to buy in office secret Santa if you don’t know the person at all?

[MaryLeith]

Any idea welcome! Apparently she loves dogs. Budget £10.

A decent small handbag sized umbrella is a good secret Santa gift - a bit different, you can go for a funky coloured one or something plain, they’re the sort of thing that it’s handy to have more than one off but you don’t need lots, if it’s one of the good small ones it can live in a handbag or in the car boot, it’s practical but using it doesn’t define you in the way a handbag would or cost loads as a handbag would…

That's a clever idea. I'd be pleased to receive a small umbrella.

That's a great idea, I always have an office umbrella which lives in my pedastal or locker.

Not a candle (not everyone uses them) not hand cream (not everyone uses it) I'd say chocolates are pretty safe but try to see if they eat such things (nut allergies aren't that common, and in an office environment it's good practice for serious allergies to be known about so colleagues can avoid having the foods near the person, if you haven't heard about an allergy I suspect they haven't). A mug with a funny quote about loving dogs plus small bag of truffles perhaps?

@Justsayit123

I don't use hand cream either, and based on how many are donated for the lucky dip each year at work, pretty sure nobody else does either! The ones in sets that is, people with dry hands tend to want proper stuff not the smelly ones

Lots of suggestions of mugs but what about a coaster for the person to put on their desk. I no longer work in an office but hated drink rings on my desk, can't believe I would be the only one.

I like the umbrella idea too

We have a clear desk policy, nothing is left behind at the end of the day outside docking station, keyboard and mouse and during the day we are encouraged to minimise things on our desks.

I have a mug and waterbottle to put away, I hate having even more things to put away and then get out the next day.
Any spill is mopped up with a tissue and the desk is then cleaned by the cleaning crew overnight.

We are completely paperless unless it's an outgoing letter. Some days I don't even have a pen.

If someone included this in my present (assuming she actually has a dog), I'd love this! Add something for her too - . These Christmas dog treats

Or something like this.

I don't love dogs although I don't hate them. I was given this book from DH last year and it's really interesting. I know more about the history of wheat than I ever expected to

I'm struggling with mine, as I don't know enough about them but don't want naff generic stuff such as handcream, smellies etc. They work in education if anyone has any good suggestions

I hate wine/prosecco etc and don't really drink at home. Likewise candles give me migraines yet seem to be a go to gift, no!! And of course it's rude to say the damn thing will give you a migraine/headache whatever so get more in tne future!

Good quality post-it notes, highlighters and Uniball pens? Imo teachers are always losing pens and get through post-it notes at an alarming rate!

Either that or a huge box of longlife snacks such as Nakd bars, popcorn, single serving biscuits, hot chocolate sachets etc.

I have previously suggested to the organiser doing a form where people can put likes/dislikes/allergies etc but they refuse to do it 🙄

I do a secret santa on another forum, where they do a hints and tips thread and people ask questions about people's likes and dislikes etc, slightly more budget around £20 but I've had some cracking gifts from it because you're allowed to ask a bit about the people. And these are from people I've never met

Office one is fine if you get a direct member of your team, because you see them regularly enough to get to know them, the wider teams you just don't get to develop enough Intel on without having to ask someone (which organiser also said no to!!)

Does she actually have a dog? Because if so you could go to TKMaxx and pick up a box of poo bags - always needed- a bag of tennis balls and a packet of biscuits for humans, all for under a tenner.

My DH has a lady he doesn't know, so I suggested a fancy notebook. His price limit is £10.

He has bought a cushion in the past as well and apparently it went down well.

Yeah but that's all work related stuff. My budget buys stationery (though not branded!)
just get the coffee voucher

If they like dogs AND wine: these dog wine charms could work if not too tacky?

dog wine charms

If she has a dog how about a festive poop bag holder... https://cocopuplondon.com/collections/stocking-fillers/products/cocopoop-pocket-candy-cane

If she doesn't have a dog and just likes dogs that would be awkward though 😬

All the people I know who love dogs DO NOT WANT DOG THEMED THINGS!

I'd find the offer of poo bags or dog treats as a gift somewhere between weird and offensive.

I said it because the poster asked what teachers might like. I'd like that! Our budget gets us total crap and I'd like some nice things that I didn't have to buy myself - I'd rather have that as a relatively considered gift and pay for my own coffee. Swings. Roundabouts.