Office Secret Santa

If you work in an office and well pretty much any workplace with more than two people, the Secret Santa question is likely to arise. What is a Secret Santa? A Secret Santa is a gift exchange in which the giver selects the name of the recipient and then brings in the gift wrapped. Usually a dollar limit is set to keep everyone happy and keep expenses sensible. $10-$25 is about the norm.

Some Secret Santa picks are done by merely putting names on a slip of paper and putting them in a jar or Christmas decorated basket from which each participant chooses one name. Some people ask that you put a couple of suggestions on your slip as to what you would like. I prefer these as it is much easier to buy something they will really enjoy.

Still I have heard some people have a hard time writing their list or feel shy to do so. I would suggest for those people who do not want to list specific gifts that they at least give the buyer a clue. For example: your favorite color, favorite animal, favorite music genre….you get the idea.

Most people are extra busy during the holidays and tend to not get much done ahead of time. But it adds to the fun if you can bring the wrapped, tagged gifts in ahead of time to add to the anticipation and speculation. This will only work if your workplace is secure or there is an office where you can lock up the booty.

Finally, you will have to decide when to distribute the gifts and whether or not to reveal “who had who”. Personally I prefer the reveal but I guess the best bet would be to take a vote. It is best to distribute the gifts when everyone can gather together. In some workplaces that is impossible. If you can gather together, a luncheon is nice. Some people like to do cocktails or dinner after work but at this busy time of year most people would rather have the time to tend to family matters. If you can’t gather together then perhaps someone acting as Santa could pass out a few gifts at a time and people can try to get a peek at each person opening.

If all else fails, arm Santa with a digital camera and let him or her take pictures of each person opening the gifts then print the pictures for the break room or email them to everyone.