Do you take part in a Secret Santa at your place of work? I remember fondly the fun of buying something for another member of staff who’s name had been picked out of a hat. I always wanted to buy something that would last so it was never smelly’s or chocolates but something that they would look back on in years to come and remember where and when they got it. I remember one year I had to buy for the undergraduate who was doing work experience with us. I’d just bought myself a really lovely green and white mottled pottery bowl and as it was in the right price bracket I decided to buy one for her too. I used my bowl for salads regularly but it recently slid off my draining board as I watched it fall in slow motion. I wonder if she still has hers? I do remember wrapping it in a big box with a hug green ribbon and she was so pleased with it even before she’d unwrapped it. When she opened it she was over the moon which made me feel greatJ I may just have broken the secret rule in “Secret Santa” that day as I couldn’t help myself in telling her I was her Secret Santa!
Funnily enough I can only remember one Secret Santa present I received which was a blue glass bowl with floating candles, after a few years of not coming out of its wrapping I think it ended up at a car boot sale. I think the other gifts must have been smelly’s and chocolates, hence the point I made earlier!
So having not done a Secret Santa for over a decade I was very excited to be invited to take part in the John Lewis Blogger Secret Santa. Next week I will be assigned a random blogger and given 48 hours to read their blog in order to decide what gift to pick for them! Oh and a random blogger will also be doing the same for me. I’m quite excited as we had our wedding list at John Lewis and I’m sure I’d be happy with anything from there!
I’ll be receiving my gift towards the end of the month so I shall reveal all then. What’s the best or worst gift you’ve ever received in a Secret Santa? Do let me know in the comments below.
NB: I have not been paid for this post and all opinions are my own.
Mike
That’s such a great idea by John Lewis! I’m taking part in my first ever workplace secret Santa this year as I’ve recently gone from being freelance to 9-2-5. I can’t wait to exchange presents!
Mike
Camilla
Yes it’s a fab idea, hope you get something nice:-)
Anne Wallwin
i love secret santa!! We had one bad year when we decided to get something for peoples initials. Being AW i ended up with A Willy selection from Ann Summers!
Camilla
That’s so funny:-)
Anne
Despite many years at different companies, secret santa has only featured in my current job of nearly 4 years, and last year I got a pepper mill, which was thoughtful as she knows I like food (it all came out at a work meal last week!) and previously got a nice little candle box set nothing bad at all! First two years I missed as I had just joined and was too late and following was off sick for ages!
Camilla
Well you’ve done really well, may you luck continue:-)
Angela @ My Golden Pear
I’ve never been a fan of Secret Santa as most people just get stressed out about buying the ‘right’ gift so opt for something silly instead. I think my worst gift was one of those giant calculators – not great when you’re in Finance. I would be excited about receiving something from John Lewis though – lucky you.
Camilla
I get more stressed buying for my own family LOL:-) Yes I do feel lucky:-)
Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes
I’ve done a few secret Santa’s in the past and received a blue thermos flask a few years ago which gets used now and again. I also had a nice pair of earrings from someone in my first part time job when I worked in a pub, haven’t worn them for years but they’re probably still in the jewellery box somewhere.
Whilst writing this I’ve just remembered that a fellow waitress gave me a box of willy shaped biscuits when I was working in my gap year, we all had a giggle over those!
Looks like I’ve done quite well out of secret Santa! Can’t remember what I bought other people though.
Camilla
Wow, you have done well over the years – I think the anticipation is always the best thing and seeing the look on the face of the recipient:-)
deviantcupcake
Once I received a ‘sexy Mrs Claus’ outfit and a calendar full of naked male models.
I could never figure out if it was supposed to be a joke present, but it felt really inappropriate. Especially since I was chubby and insecure,.
The best, weirdly enough, was a gift set of body washes with one of those shower puffs. It’s the gift I had the most use out of, even if it wasn’t the most personal.
Camilla
There’s always someone with a slightly warped sense of humour, they probably think they’re really funny but it’s just irritating so I feel your frustration with that present!