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Hi all
I'm hoping that someone can come up with some ideas for a Secret Santa for our family Christmas Day shenanigans. In addition to the Elfster Secret Santa (where we are allocated someone specific to buy something for) this year we have also been instructed to buy another Secret Santa thing which will just go into a box and we will pick something at random. Now this all gets a bit more complicated because I cannot think of anything that everyone has in common. We've got: -
- a classical guitarist who is about 70 but acts like 25 - and turns everything you say into something rude
- his wife - lovely, also musical. Works a bit as a childminder. Not into any of the usual lotions and potions
- their daughter 1 - about 32 don't know her really at all
- their daughter 2 - about 30 very artistic, paints huge murals for a living
- my BIL - sheep farmer
- my sister - all horses and gardens
The usual safety net of having a budget has been thrown out the window - our only guidance is you can spend anything you like - you can make something or spend up to £50! (I won't be doing that!). In addition there is the added jeopardy that I don't want to be the person who has bought something unimaginative when everyone else has come up with something quirky or unique. Help!
Best secret Santa I have seen - a jar of humbugs
That's definitely a possibility!
My default place for presents is Holyflaps
They do lovely quality bone china mugs that are very sweary.
Who wouldn’t love something like this? I bought Mrs Binners this one for her morning cuppa
There are loads of absolutely fab ones. Most of my loved ones have received one of their mugs as a present at some point 😃
Something edible or drinkable, is there an option that could suit all?
No-one needs another mug. There are at least 11 mugs per capita in the UK already.
A voucher for a hand made pair of socks off someone on etsy. Or something similar. When you buy from etsy you are contributing straight to another real person with bills to pay. Please don't buy landfill tat.
Offer the gift of time, a voucher for a Saturday night babysit or one free lift to an airport, any hour.
Easy.
Buy something you want, wrap it in a way so you can recognize it easily, volunteer to pick first and oh joy the surprise that someone knows you so well you get something you like.
Some great suggestions here - love the idea of the gift of time but the other half of the family live in London and we're in Aberdeenshire so maybe not all that practical and I don't have a creative bone in my body but Etsy is a great shout. Thanks too for the reminder that tat ends up in landfill - that and the feeling that it is a waste of money are my main objections to a Secret Santa. Thanks everyone.
Of all the things that drive me to rage at work, the thing most likely to get me fired for punching someone in the face at work is the phrase "shall we do a secret Santa?"
Of all the things that drive me to rage at work, the thing most likely to get me fired for punching someone in the face at work is the phrase “shall we do a secret Santa?”
@IHN - A company I was working at* did it one year and SectretSantaGate occurred when somebody opened theirs to see they'd received a packet of washing up sponges 😂
* as a nomadic freelancer I play no part in such nonsense
they’d received a packet of washing up sponges
See, now, I'd be all for that, cos at least they'd get used.
Ours got super competitive so we set a limit of 5 quid from a chazzer, if the recipient didn't like it, just return it and it was 5 quid to charity.
I bought a digital weather station today, 5 quid, so within budget, it's brand new in box and works as I just put batteries in. Seen loads of things within budget...storage jars you could put coffee beans in, best things are home made if you have time, the recipients still don't know who made them.
Of all the things that drive me to rage at work, the thing most likely to get me fired for punching someone in the face at work is the phrase “shall we do a secret Santa?”
I always refused to join in. No problem. The beggers used to make me dress in a Santa costume to dish out pressies to the patients tho. Swine!
Scratchcards.
Noam Chomsky book: Illegitimate Authority: Facing the Challenges of Our Time
I'm considering getting a dog calender for someone whose first name matches the first name of a small dog breed.
Maybe.
Last place one guy got the older woman in the office some nipple tassels....she was incandescent.
>my BIL – sheep farmer.
A packet of Industrial strength velcro ?
Lego. Who doesn't like Lego?
There's always the low-hanging fruit. Chocolates, wine, all that shizzle.
I'm with @IHN on this.
The last thing we need to be doing is buying yet more "comedy" shit we don't need & won't use
£20 Amazon voucher. Boring, but there's something for everyone on Amazon.
Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to investigate something like buying a one year adoption pack from an animal charity or animal sanctuary type thing. Who wouldn't like to adopt a donkey for Christmas?
Who instructs you?
Family friendly board / card game. Expoding minions is fun
Last place one guy got the older woman in the office some nipple tassels….she was incandescent.
I started a job not long before Christmas once and they asked me to join the secret santa and then said I had to write down what I wanted. I said that wasn't right, but they made me do a list:
- Leopard print posing pouch
- Zebra print posing pouch
- Wildebeest. (not a posing pouch, just a wildebeest of my own)
Year 1 - wine Year 2 - chocs Year 3 - leopard-print posing pouch 🥳
ads678Full Member<br />£20 Amazon voucher. Boring, but there’s something for everyone on Amazon.
Not for me. I would return the voucher . I will not use amazon. Ethics and all that
If you've enough people - and 7 should be enough - then 'Bad Santa' is fun. Suggested rules here: https://theconversation.com/how-to-play-and-win-the-gift-stealing-game-bad-santa-according-to-a-mathematician-196483
You get some fun from trying to end up with the best gift; and hopefully no-one ends up with something they really don't want.
A friend has introduced me to the "Crap you find in charity shops" FB page and i think its pretty much a Secret Santa advertising service.