Secret Santa rant

[Emmie2016]

I organise our secret santa at work and always ask if people would like to take part. Out of 22 only one said no. I feel like we have a huge budget at 15 pound though!

I got a lovely potted plant t for my desk and a selection of T2 teas.

[Noodle500]

We used to have a joke secret Santa for £5. Then the budget rose to £10 so people weren't keen on wasting money.
We now still have a £10 budget and you can choose to identify a list of 3 items you like or a 'surprise me'. The buyer then can choose off the list if requested or get a surprise if that chosen.
I've got my boss this year and she has put surprise me. I've bagged a red letter day afternoon tea at Bella Italia (£15 discount code)
I have helped with another secret Santa by going to Coral bookies to get a £10 betting voucher. It's optional in our office.

[Tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by neilhd

UPDATE!

I put a message on our company general Slack channel stating I didn't want anything as I didn't want people to feel forced to spend time and money on me this time of year and I would rather they treat themselves, or donate to a charity insteaed - seems a lot of people at work agree with me!

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This got really out of hand when I was working. People spent far more than they should have so it was decided that it was not appropriate for work but could be organised for the Xmas party, thereby taking it out of the work place. Xmas cards EERRRRGGGG. Totally ridiculous, 150 staff all sending cards to each other and me as number two boss. That ended when it was also decided that a charity box would be in-situ, as voted on each year by staff. Instead of cards and gifts donations were made.

As for OP. I think £10 is too much. Good result well done you

[Chilli-pepper]

I usually never take part in works secret santa, there was only one year that I ended up doing it as the decision was made whilst I was away. The only reason I went ahead was I knew the person I got really well and was happy to buy her a present, I put lots of thought into it and she loved it so I was pleased that I could give something that a person was happy with rather than some random tat

Usually these are a complete waste of money and just people buying tat for the sake of it. I got back in return, (not from the same person) a cheap bar of chocolate that had a printed 'Secret Santa' label on it, it went straight in the bin

Our new manager has tried twice now to get a secret Santa going this year but our team are are sat with faces like slapped ≈≈≈≈≈ each time she mentions it

[PPM]

Secret Santa was banned in my work ( I didn’t partake anyway as I’m another Mr Grumpy) when a girl got a pack of Face and Ar*e soap and towels!
She wasn’t happy and complained to boss...end of Secret Santa

Stopped going to Xmas nights out after I got a black eye as thanks for keeping two drunk apprentices apart... never got a Sorry from either... they probably didn’t remember doing it
That was an awesome night. A lass even got thrown out of the club for exposing her boobies

Never again

I’m too old for it

[myvot]

I organise the secret santa for my department and I live doing it I always ask if people would like to participate and don't just assume. About 30 take part and 3 don't.

We have a budget of £15 and your gift goes under the tree. On the day the gifts are getting dished out we stop work for about half an hour and have mulled wine or juice with mince pies or shortbread.

I also do a christmas and how well do you know your colleagues quiz which goes down a treat. Box of chocolates or a scratch card or whatever for the winner.

[Ryles]

I hate secret Santa and now refuse to take part! It was so cringe, we’d all have to go to the boardroom pick our gifts and open them one by one in front of each other 🙈 my idea of hell!

[Pookie3101]

We do Secret Santa in my office but there are only 5 of us, we know each other well and we have all signed up.
I don’t agree that you are automatically included, it should be optional.

[Button17]

Luckily each year an email goes round so you can opt out. I opt out.

I did it years ago when my youngest DD was a toddler and I got ... a calendar full of naked fireman. That got put in the bin.

I retried it 2 years ago and got a huge plastic sausage.

No more secret Santa for me I'm afraid.

Could you find the person who's got you and just get them to buy for your boss.

[JLH]

I normally say no as I hate it but felt pressured into doing it this year as I was the only one to say no! Now my son has come home today to say his 6th form class are doing it and can I give him a tenner to buy some random child a present !Like me he said no but was put under pressure - guess we are both too soft.