Secret santa...

boultdj

We get the option of crossing our name off the list if we don't want to do it, I'm normaly the first one to refuse, I hate shopping at the best of time's, this time of year, it's food only and straight back home, let those who like the push & shove enjoy themselves, my time and money have better things to be spent on.

IndigoGirl

I've never taken part in Secret Santa and heaven help anyone who tried to make me feel bad about it.

The only person who can make you feel obliged to do it is yourself If you don't want to do it, don't. You don't have to give a reason. What's the worst that can happen?

And if you feel really bad for saying no and want to do something nice in lieu, put a tub of chocs or tin of biscuits at the tea making station with a note. Or make everyone in the office a coffee. Whatever works for you.

As a side thought, Angel_in_tit_tape's comment gave me an idea for anyone who is doing Secret Santa or needs a thank you gift for a teacher/friend etc - a coffee shop gift card? Nice idea and something I hadn't thought of.

GreyQueen

I just don't do Secret Santa at all. Ever.

I detest shopping at the best of times and hate feeling pressurised into doing some random nonsense like this just because 'everyone does it'.

If anyone's ever thought less of me for not participating, I haven't got to hear about it and wouldn't have cared less if I did.

[Deleted User]

Last year someone gave my eldest daughter 'Brussels Sprout Roulette' for a secret Santa, a game where you had 6 solid chocolate sprouts.....and 2 x chocolate coated real ones.....Why would anyone think that was a good idea for a present?

thriftmonster

I do the one at work but ours is limited to £5 and we all know one another fairly well. Having said that I normally put together a little food hamper with HM biccies and fudge etc - bought it would easily cost £5 and is always appreciated - apparently people hope out loud that they get me as their giver:D

CathA

We used to have Secret Santa and we'd all meet up with one of the senior officers being Santa and all bring in drinks and nibbles.

One year I said I didn't want to do SS but was quite happy to join in in the bringing in of nibbles etc. Couldn't see what the problem was, I don't buy something, no-one buys me anything, everyone's a winner-WRONG!

I was told if I didn't join in with SS, I couldn't join in with drinks and nibbles. 2 other girls had also said (after I'd made the momentous decision of not doing SS!) that they didn't want to do it either. Mind you, they'd been doing it for years, too scared to rock the boat and were waiting for an outsider (me) to be the first rebel.

Anyhoo, we decided to have our own drinks and nibbles (The Breakaway Nibblers!) and had a lovely time.

The following year we didn't join in with SS but we were allowed to rejoin the main drinks and nibbles. Sense prevailed (and lots of others didn't do SS either, I started a trend)

kazwookie

I have refused to go to the team dinner, so it seems I have been left off SS, win win as far as I am concerned !!

Islandmaid

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Last year someone gave my eldest daughter 'Brussels Sprout Roulette' for a secret Santa, a game where you had 6 solid chocolate sprouts.....and 2 x chocolate coated real ones.....Why would anyone think that was a good idea for a present?

I'd love to get that for my eldest - his dislike of sprouts is a family joke - I always choose the biggest to sit on the top of his Christmas dinner

VfM4meplse

SS is a waste of money, or in MSE Martin-speak, a zero sum game.

One year I was particularly annoyed as there was something I would have liked for £10, but I knew I would never get. Instead I received a trashy jewellery set - earrings included, which meant I couldn't even exchange for a gift voucher.