So it's around that time of year and our secret santa event will be on the 5th.
I decided to participate, reluctantly, and drew my freaking boss . Mind you, I am new to the unit.
Picking something for her will be easy since she is rather girly, like me. The issue is, what amount is okay to spend? The set minimum is 25.00; that is the only rule. Now, I want to spend a little more than that because, no offense to anyone else, but I'm not a cheapskate, but I don't know how much is too much and what would make me look like a kiss a**.
Help? Any suggestions or personal experiences with this would be wonderful.
At my job we have a $10 maximum, and we have strict rules about gift giving to and from the boss. I don't think that one person here would be allowed to give a gift to the manager, and she would be allowed to give a gift but only to all of us and it has to be under a certain amount.
Well as far as hygiene gift baskets I would stay away from those. I've seen on several occasions people get offended when getting a gift basket with lotion, soap, etc. I personally like them but that's just me. I would get a gc to a department store like Macy's, Dillard's, Nordstom or somewhere similar. If you know she likes makeup may a card for Sephora or Ulta. Or if she is improving her house Lowes or Home Depot. I would keep it general.
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Getting offended because they think the gift giver is telling them they smell bad?
This is a perfect example of why I don't participate in these work gift-giving things. I don't know the people I work with well enough to feel compelled to buy them gifts.
Personally, I wouldn't like lotions, soaps, a mani, a pedi, a candle, etc. etc. or a spa gift certificate. Those things are all personal preference, she may not like them either.
A gift card like a Visa gift card is generic so that she could use it at whatever store/restaurant she wants.
One of my favorite exchange gifts where we had a $10 limit was a mug with a cat picture on it plus some homemade cocoa mix and some homemade fudge with crushed candy canes throughout. Yum! She also included the cocoa and the fudge recipes.
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The first thing I'd do is to verify that the $25 is the minimum and not actually the maximum. Then, stick with the limit.
Where I work, we have a sign up sheet where everyone can list ideas. Takes a good bit of guesswork out of it, plus that way no one knows who their secret Santa is because no one was outright asking them for ideas. Maybe you can suggest something similar for next year.
A great part of the reason I liked what I mentioned above is that my giver was a single mom who had several little kids, lived in section 8 housing, and received food stamps. Before I knew she had my name, I knew she had signed up to participate, and even then I wished I could buy the gift for her partner. I knew whatever she gave would be truly an act of love.
I think that was a great part of why the treats tasted so good. That I don't often buy those things became secondary.
Are you sure that's the minimum amount to spend? Every work Secret Santa I've ever seen (I decline to participate in such things) has set a MAXIMUM but not a minimum.
I'm sure. And they were definitely talking about how some people get 200.00 gift cards
I wouldn't go near a gift exchange without a maximum limit...I'm too cheap and self concious.
Our Christmas gift exchange is one gift weekly in December, with a total maximum of $25. You have to put some real thought and care into it. Pinterest has great ideas.
Another neat idea is to make a donation in your bosses name to a local charity that gives kids Christmas gifts. I also like the gift basket idea--maybe a coffee mug with flavored coffees and hot chocolates with a few ornaments in the basket. Another idea is a hat/scarf/gloves in a cute bag she can bring her lunch in. If she seems to like jewelry types of things, some earrings, a bracelet and a watch (there are fun funky things you can get at any store this time of year). Put them in a fun little purse. Tie a Christmas scarf on the strap and WAA-Laa a gift for her!! Good luck and have fun!!
. Mind you, I am new to the unit. 
twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN
1,289 Posts
At my job we have a $10 maximum, and we have strict rules about gift giving to and from the boss. I don't think that one person here would be allowed to give a gift to the manager, and she would be allowed to give a gift but only to all of us and it has to be under a certain amount.