NC Penguin

Have any of you participated in this "ritual"? Never heard of it until I started working in the US and this year will be the second year I'm participating.

For those who're not familiar with the ritual, those who wish to participate put their names into a hat and then you draw out a name (not your own of course).

The person who's name is on the paper is your "Secret Santa" recipient.

In my workplace, a week is specified when Secret Santas will be discreetly leaving presents for their recipient. The Santa may give as many as six small gifts (one per day for six days), culiminating with a big present on the seventh day.

No-one in my workplace made the groundrules that clear to me last year even though I asked so I won't be giving a gift every day to my recipient. Especially since she and I don't even work in the same building so I hardly know her.

I think this Secret Santa biz is a bit daft really. I'd much rather give a single gift at the end of the week than buy silly little gifts.

Also, in order to give some inspiration to Secret Santas, we put together a wish list but I think you can guess what was on mine. Yes, anything with a penguin motif!!!

Does your workplace/family have any interesting Christmas traditions?

rogerpenycate

Yep, did it in the office lat year.
I said I liked fishing and the woman who picked me gave me a 4" long toy boat with a bear sat in it fishing.
Shelf present or what.
The guy I picked I gave him a Larry the Cable Guy dvd and he was thrilled.

Wintersong

I have done it a few times in the UK. (Secret Santa too )

The worst ones are when it's blind - you have to buy a present that would be suitable for anyone and then you have a kind of raffle with the presents. Mind you, we are a fairly small department who all know each other pretty well so it's ok - I'd hate to have to buy something "thoughtful" for someone I hardly knew!

AdobePinon

Never been involved in such, antisocial git that I am....

If the Secret Santa fate were to befall me, I think I would have to give my victim seventeen pieces of flair and go home for the holiday.

dbark

ROTFL

Bob

Sounds like a load of poo to me, MIL does it at school between the teachers, and every year, everyone bitches because the presents are shite and they can't be arsed with it, yet each year they do...I don't see the point in giving some random trout a shite gift, just give presents to your mates or not at all I say

sibsie

We used to do it in Prep school only it was called Kris Kindle (sp?)
I got roped into it a couple of years ago but forgot to buy the pressie.

Bob

MIL said one of the teachers that's a prime git gives his secret santa gift that he gets to the person he's supposed to give to....now that's tight *l*

DannyC

I take part in a Secret Santa each year at work. We restrict it down to just the team level, around 16 people, which makes sure that you know everyone you could possibly draw quite well. It is all carried out anonymously and that leads to great debate as to who bought what for who. Deeply sad I know, but it beats working. You can have great evil joy by buying the right present and making the victim squirm with embarrassment when they have to unveil the present in the presence of all the other team members . It’s a great way to bring the team together and release some of the stress the job brings. It does depend upon the make-up of your team, but on the whole, I would recommend it as worth doing.

mvjenno

Ouch, that hurts! I'm thinking scratch lottery tickets this year. Beats trying to think of something personal, for someone you don't really know!

Bob

Unless they win