In offices all over the world it is becoming increasingly common for employees to play the annual game of Secret Santa. It’s a great way of spreading the ‘cost of Christmas’ by ensuring that you don’t have to splash out on everyone – just whomever you have been designated as your lucky recipient. It is, however, a game with one painful design flaw – what if you don’t know the name you pick out of the hat?
If you know the co-worker you pick intimately then, of course, you should have no problem buying them something special that they will cherish. For those co-workers you’re less familiar with though, buying the right gift can be a nightmare. After all, how can you know what the right gift looks like when you would struggle to pick the recipient out of a line-up?
Worry not though, as the guide below aims to help secret Santa’s everywhere fill their sacks with Christmas joy.
Go funny
Even if you’re not necessarily known as the ‘office joker,’ Christmas offers an opportunity to let your hair down and show off your less serious side. So, why not opt for a funny Christmas gift that pokes light fun at your co-worker? If they are known for being a little vain, perhaps buy them a cushion personalised with their face or if they are known to enjoy a tipple at the weekend, maybe put together a hangover care package? Or you could always go a little more crass and settle on some testicle-shaped stress balls. We won’t judge.
Go personal
We live in an age where it’s possible to get anything personalised. From mugs and socks to pens and pillows. Even if you don’t know your pick that well, you can have their initials stencilled on a bespoke notebook, piece of jewellery or even a mobile phone case. The options are practically endless.
Go sweet
There are few people alive who will turn the nose up at a box of Christmas chocolates. If they don’t care much for chocolate, meanwhile (it’s unlikely, but it does happen), then perhaps look for a retro sweet box packed full of the kind of sweet treats you’d run home from school to stuff your face with when you were young and carefree. For certain kinds of individual, however (you know who they are) then you might want to look past the obvious culinary delights and go for something spicy. We’re talking novelty hot sauce and it’s a market with surprising depth.
Go boozy
Finally, if all else fails then a great bottle of ‘plonk’ never goes amiss. Just ensure the person in question isn’t teetotal or you might end up looking like the office dunce!