Secret Santa

[Capn Flukie]

Does your workplace do this, and what do you think of it?

I think we're doing it this year at the Bookstore. We'll all probably give each other big bottles of Tylenol for the Spring semester rush. Secret Santa can be fun, but can be awkward when you have to get something for someone you don't like, or don't know what they like.

The WORST Secret Santa gift I've ever seen anyone get was at my old data entry job. Someone actually gave a co-worker a stick of deodorant, and to add insult to injury, it was USED, with pit hairs still on it. WTF??? That guy didn't last very long at the job.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I don't think it's a good idea...not only is it forced (even if not enforced directly by your boss, social pressure enforces it), but not everyone has the same financial means, and to feel pressured into doing something that might not be financially sound isn't a good thing at all. Giving voluntarily and joyfully to someone...that's what I think Christmas is about.

 

[WillsBabe]

We do Secret Santa. We have a limit of £5. It's just a token gesture of something to open at the Christmas meal. People have a choice each year of whether or not to do it and the majority decision wins. This year everyone said they wanted to do it.

 

[Kestra]

I work part-time for my parents and we do it every year at their office. This year it'll be even more fun because my brother and his staff are there, and we're including them. I actually picked my brother's name this year!

I love the tradition and I wish there were a way to do it on the BBS.

 

[Capn Flukie]

^ we used to do it in the lounge.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

One of the best parts of being laid off this year is not having to deal with secret santa.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

The WORST Secret Santa gift I've ever seen anyone get was at my old data entry job. Someone actually gave a co-worker a stick of deodorant, and to add insult to injury, it was USED, with pit hairs still on it. WTF??? That guy didn't last very long at the job.

Assuming you mean the giver didn't last long at his job, it wan't very secret, was it?

I hate crap like this in the workplace. It's supposed to be morale building, but it's a royal pain in the arse.

 

[An Officer]

Thankfully, I've never had to take part in such a thing. Waste of time and resources. I'm sure most of those end up in a bin, or stuffed away in a drawer unused. I would only take part if people were allowed Christmas lists, that way, you know it is welcome and no wastage will occur.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

We did a "white elephant" at my job every year, which was a lot of fun. I think there's a lot less pressure there, because nobody necessarily knows what you brought. And since you have no idea who will end up with your present, you can buy something really weird and watch people try to get rid of it.

 

[JustKate]

We do Secret Santa, too, but it is really and truly completely voluntary. That is, it isn't one of those things that is called "voluntary" but really isn't - it is actually voluntary. The proof is that only about 30 percent of our employees participate - only those who really enjoy it.

And that would be me. I enjoy it a lot. Fortunately, I like nearly all my co-workers, although one year I did draw the only one I genuinely dislike. Oh, well - that's the luck of the draw. Hopefully I won't get her this year. Oh, and our limit is $10 total.

Edit: And you don't actually have to spend anything, so white elephants and joke gifts are perfectly appropriate. Unlike used deodorant, which is repulsive. What a jerk.

 

[jamestyler]

Oddly, I've only ever done this online.

A forum I've been on for years started it last year which was my first Secret Santa experience. Seeing as I ended up with something awesome, and the poster I bought for liked my gift... and I was one of the few who was able to retain some anonymity, I've signed up again this year.

Thats one garunteed gift for Christmas.

 

[Kestra]

Thankfully, I've never had to take part in such a thing. Waste of time and resources. I'm sure most of those end up in a bin, or stuffed away in a drawer unused. I would only take part if people were allowed Christmas lists, that way, you know it is welcome and no wastage will occur.

Harsh! We put down a small spending limit and each write down one or two small things we'd like when we put our names in.

 

[Holdfast]

I've done this at a few workplaces, but not recently. If everyone gets into the spirit of it, then it's fun. Otherwise it's a chore. Personally, I'm not particularly into the idea, but happy to go along if everyone else is.

A couple of months ago, we discussed whether to do it at my current workplace. Weirdly enough, the discussion ended up splitting down gender lines - the girls were up for it, the guys weren't. It isn't happened, by the way.

 

[Mr Awe]

Wow, I was reading this thread and someone came into my office asking about this very question. I don't know the outcome yet other than it seems like people are leaning towards this.

Mr Awe

 

[Holdfast]

Wow, I was reading this thread and someone came into my office asking about this very question.

Maybe they read this board too?

 

[Capn Flukie]

Y'know this is gonna sound strange, but I swear I think someone else started a thread on this, and it had the same responses! Just had an incredible sense of deja vu. Weird!

 

[Tom Riley]

Well you ARE in an alternate universe...

 

[Capn Flukie]

Oh... right. Carry on!

 

[Finn]

Yes, a reality where Great Britain sunk into the sea by an angry Russian from the 22nd century after some Englishman failed to save Moscow from a nuclear holocaust.

Anyway, yeah, we did the Secret Santa thing at some of my old jobs. We always had a limit of $10 or close and it was always voluntary.

And this reminds me of my last Christmas at my alma mater....my Senior year was 12 years ago. My dorm had this elaborate secret santa thing. So I went out to town and got a kitten-themed calenader at the local CVS. I proceed to put the calenader in a large package after wrapping it with paper towel.

When it was time to open the gifts, several fought over the "big" gift. They were kids who would rather to stick a fork into their eye (considering they are Deaf) than have a calenader with kittens. I loved every moment of it. Ah well.

 

[Garm Bel Iblis]

we do it, $10.00 limit and it's voluntary. Of cours I thought of buying an Ipod and doing the Michael Scott Indian Christmas thing. But alas, I got her some hand lotion from the Bath and Body Works.