I don’t know about you, but I have always had a hard time picking out holiday gifts for my co-workers. Last year, when the Secret Santa rolled around to me, I picked the name of someone I barely knew. That’s when I started re-thinking office Secret Santa gifts. I have always helped pick out our business Christmas cards, as I love the Christmas season, but the Secret Santa puzzle was turning me into a Grinch. I started to think about gift card ideas. I came up with a few versatile places that suited most people. Then I thought maybe I could get a small gift from the place as well as a gift card. After some serious thought, this is my list of Secret Santa gift ideas that suit (almost) everyone and aren’t too hard on the wallet:
• Café gift – a gift card to a coffee shop, a small packet of tea or coffee, all packaged nicely into a beautiful mug
• Foodie gift – a gift card to either a restaurant or a unique food store, a small package of food (i.e. cheese and crackers, or cookies), packed together in a basket
• Music gift – an iTunes or record store gift card, a Holiday mix CD (They’re sold at bookstores and online, or you can make one yourself!), packed together in a music-themed gift bag
• Library gift – a bookstore or Amazon gift card, a copy of either a cool book or magazine, tied together with a beautiful Holiday ribbon
One of the additions I made to these gifts was to use a copy of our business Christmas cards to hold the gift card. This way, I didn’t have to spend extra money on a card I wouldn’t be sending. It turned out that the card was the thing everyone remarked about, saying it was such a personal touch to give one of our cards to a co-worker. I don’t know if she ever used the gift, but she kept the card at her desk for months!
Office secret Santa gifts are difficult to buy. I try to get ideas from someone they are really close to in the office. If that doesn’t work then I usually do one of the gifts above.
I see secret Santa gift as an opportunity to get creative. I like to think of what would most likely bring a smile to the recipient. I try to keep my ears open for things they mention around the office.
I used to dread the Secret Santa… what if I got someone I knew nothing about? The gift card route is always the safest way to go. Who doesn’t like food, coffee, books and music?? You can’t go wrong, male or female.
I like the idea of movie tickets and a bag of popcorn or candy attached. Everybody loves a good outing to the theater.
Everybody loves movies and it’s a sure hit as a gift!
I like the idea of movie tickets and a bag of popcorn or candy attached. Everybody loves a good outing to the theater.
Everybody loves movies and it’s a sure hit as a gift!