What should I say to my co-worker who got my name for secret Santa and the gift is no good?

[user1471867483]

Unfortunately, she gave me a used present. Also, the instructions were to buy a new gift for people. I'm a UK size 6 and she got me a navy and dark green tartan dress in a UK size 20 😱. I'm shocked and confused, but the gift was accompanied by a Christmas card saying she can't wait for me to comment on it (the dress) when we're back at work after the holidays. What shall I tell her? I have no option but to give it to charity. The dress is sooooo big, I could get two other people in it with me 🤷

Do u think she picked the wrong size by accident

This. As with any gift, you say 'Thanks, it was lovely' and get on with your day. If the budget was £5 you've hardly sustained a massive loss.

Set timer on camera. tie helium balloons to a large, tall cane basket. Cut the dress so that it is a big piece of fabric. Place the dress over the helium balloons. Step into the cane basket with a glass of fizz. Pose for camera. Thank her for the free hot air balloon ride over London/the Lake District/Hyde Park or wherever you’ve posed outdoors.

How do you know it’s a size 20? Does it have a label? Maybe it’s a dodgy sizing of shein or temu or something. I would just say thank you and move on.

You say (if asked) "Unfortunately it was too big for me, so I haven't been able to wear it." Keep to the facts, either she's genuinely clueless or she was looking to stir drama, either way, don't fuel the fire.

Tell her she should have gone to spec savers

Any chance that she mixed up the gifts? I did that once for children’s gifts- an unlucky 11 year old got a toddler gift. Luckily I was there when the second gift was opened- I was mortified and managed to sort it out. Lots of presents, same wrapping paper….

You’re not being unreasonable to be seeking support on here. You seem to be the target of subtle and obscure mean girl, highschool behaviour. Hope you’re okay in all seriousness xx 💐 That’s how these twits operate and then you’ll be gaslit about how it’s all in your head and was a genuine mistake - nobody makes a mistake like that. She’s clearly goading you. Don’t give her a reaction.

Take the high road and say that it wasn’t your size but you gifted it to a dear friend who loved it, and that was a gift in and of itself.

Anyone acting like this toward you is either jealous or just very sad and miserable and with more issues than you could even know.

xxxxxx

@user1471867483 there isn’t a colleague with the same name who’s larger than you is there? Could the person who bought it have thought they were buying for someone else?

Smile and say thank you as if it didn't matter - and it shouldn't. It's only a secret santa!

If she asks more tell her it was too big so you donated it to a good charity.

If she wants a comment then tell her in your best Father Dougal voice , "Ah now Ted , sure you wanted this for yourself didn't yah!"

Bundle it up and leave it on her desk .

This is why secret Santa should be banned.

Unless a mix up it’s clearly a dig of some sort. Your only option is to ignore, anything else feeds the troll

Actually , I was looking at a skirt on Amazon ( tartan) and my size 12-14 bottom half comes up as an XXL !
So sizes can be off

Oh and do seek support. This reminds me of a character in a book, see attached.

You are completely fine too, love and don’t deserve this especially at Christmas x

😂

”oh it was lovely but unfortunately it didn’t fit”

Get it adjusted to fit and look great, wear it to work and thank her profusely.
She wants you to be embarrassed, uncomfortable, and upset. Don't be.

Well has no one thought it could be a wind up?

Maybe someone else bought it and put another staff members name to throw you off. Like people have said who signs their name for SS?

People buy silly gifts for secret santa, maybe it is just a joke.

I'd see what happens first before you decide how to play it, personally.

You're on thin ice at work already with a workplace who are not exactly to be trusted to take things the right way.

Your ONLY possible response is to say "Thank you for the gift" and change the subject.

as for how you feel personally - a fiver has gone to charity. They'll get a tenner once they've sold it a second time. Life's too short to feel hard done by over this.

Either she got you mixed up with someone else, or she hates you. If she hates you, it’s probably because you’re a size 6, she’s not and she’s jealous and insecure. Sorry you’ve got to deal with this bollocks! I think she’s trying to make you feel insecure by suggesting you’re fat (which obviously you’re not!). In your shoes, I’d just pretend I absolutely love the gift and not mention the size. That should confuse her, and render her mind-game redundant.

I love this suggestion !! Get it tailored to perfection 😍

Was it definitely meant for you? Not a mix up? Is there another colleague who is around that size??

She can't wait for you comment, you say? Well then tell her the dress was obviously a million sizes too big for you but thank her for the 20 dusters you've repurposed out of it.

Just say, it was very unusual, thank you, and move on.

Who gives colleagues clothing?

I’m not sure I’d waste my time or my money getting this done.

I agree with a pp though sounds as though maybe there’s jealousy as OP is size 6 and Secret Santa giver isn’t.