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 🤷

Overreaction alert.😆

I mean it's a satisfying thought but who's going to waste effort and money on tailoring a dress 7 sizes too big just to make a point at work, it's not worth it it's a five quid secret santa 😂

Don't most people treat the work secret Santa as a joke anyway? Especially for £5. I have certainly never had a thoughtful gift from mine.

Forget about it. Secret Santa is a dreadful invention unless everyone knows each other well and is genuinely friendly.
If your colleague actually asks about the dress, roll your eyes and say it was seven sizes too big, but a nice colour.

The present (sizing error I mean) is so stupid I would tell her you gave it to charity as she bought you size 20 when you are 6.

Thank you.

Carry on.

Not a hill to die on.

Could someone else have sent the gift and put her name?

Teams her and ask her just how many mince pies did she think you'd eat over the Christmas period?

She's clearly taking the piss out of you. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of reacting at all. If it's mentioned thank her nicely and say you are using the fabric for a craft project.

You seem to have endless issues with co workers and neighbours OP so maybe (a) you need to look closer to home, (b) you enjoy making a drama out of nothing or (c) none of this actually happens.

If she asks, just say it went right back to a charity shop as it was a size 20. For £5, it could only have come from a charity shop anyway so at least charity shops are benefiting twice over from this.

If the budget is £5 I wouldn't even expect to receive something I would want or use. Ours is £5 and must be bought from a charity shop - my gift hasn't even made it into my house; it's still in my car waiting until I do my next donation trip to the charity shop.

OP, I’m going to say this with kindness and genuine good intent. You have issues at your workplace, someone thought you were calling them a donkey because of your Christmas card, the thing about the selfies, emptying water paper bins, all sorts.

Either you work with the oddest bunch of people in a very dysfunctional office or you need to consider how you are receiving and or interpreting what’s being said to you. Because none of this is normal.

I wouldn't say anything, it's a secret Santa just forget it and move on

Isn’t secret Santa supposed to be a secret?! You don’t say anything fgs!

I wouldn't say anything. If pressed I would say that it was too big so I gave it to charity.

I loathe Secret Santa. Last year, at the place I was working in on a short term contract over the Christmas period and I was forced to take part. I bought a nice bottle of Baileys to gift, but I received a bottle of Baylis & Harding Hand Soap that was three quarters full, someone else got one of those oversized Sports Direct mugs, another; three pairs of latex washing up gloves in size small; someone else got a really awful china ornament of a woman with a basket, etc...

I suggested that instead of Secret Santa we all go for a drink or tea & cakes after work but I was told that Secret Santa is done every year and that many colleagues look forward to it. Afterwards, I did wonder if there was an element of passive aggression about it. I've never seen such an assortment of crap being passed around. I almost felt like snatching my bottle of Baileys back!

Take a photo of yourself in the tent (maybe fit someone else in there too?) and email it to everyone in the Secret Santa list headed Do I win best Secret Santa fail?!

TBH I'd rather like a Black Watch tartan dress - but not 7 sizes too big 🤣

If she wants you to comment on it, tell her it’s lovely but you’re waiting for the weather to get milder before you go camping, so you haven’t used if yet.

How old are you people to be doing secret Santa at work? Why? Kids at school, yes, by all means, but adults?

I wouldn't say anything at all. They either made a mistake with the present in which case they'll be embarrassed, or they know full well that what they bought you was inappropriate - and in a work setting it's probably better to ignore that behaviour. But to know you may need to be wary of this colleague in future.

I wouldn't take part next year though.

I’ve done this once or twice at work but now I’d opt out. So much rubbish gets bought and no one knows what to buy for £5.

Eh? Secret Santa is normally done by adults.

In my world I do secret santa with a hobby group and have done so with my team at work.

I don't work with arseholes, and my hobby group friends are lovely so the secret santa gifts have been new, unused and lovely.

And we are all adults.

I am disappointed that so many of you work with such horrible and thoughtless people.

Stupid comment. I work with the most wonderful people, selfless, caring - instead of wasting money on this nonsense, we do a Wishing tree - a tree with tags, saying 'single duvet', a kettle, a cutlery set, etc. and we do, in your words, a secret Santa for those who really need stuff - ex prisoners, single mothers, former and current addicts. Then around December 10th the man comes and collects all the bin bags with utterly new stuff, for totally unknown people.