Secret Santa at the office: our best gift ideas

Published on 04/12/2024, by Maëlle Pinto

Lifestyle

Secret Santa is a game that is regularly organized in companies during the Christmas holidays. Each participant must offer a gift to the person he/she has drawn lots. It's the perfect solution when you can't offer a gift to all your colleagues, but you still want to share a nice moment during the traditional Christmas party. In this article, we give you some ideas to choose the right gift!

The principle

Usually, the Secret Santa organizer (or the youngest person) will write down all participants names on small pieces of paper. This person will then have each participant pick a name, making sure they don’t pick themselves. The members will then decide on a price range and a deadline to organize the gift exchange.

To add an extra challenge, don't hesitate to find a theme (a gift around gastronomy, travel, handmade, starting with a specific letter, around a specific color... the possibilities are endless!) Moreover, since you can’t spell Secret Santa, without Secret, do not reveal the person you have drawn lots!

If you draw someone you like or know, it will be easier to find an idea; if not, once the disappointment is over, you still need to choose a gift…

To avoid drama: list of forbidden gifts

The useless plastic gifts we all cumulate on our desks;
Inappropriate gifts (sex toy/underwear, deodorant/peppermint, humorous cards with awful continuous sound...);
A gift that has already been given to you, you know, it's a very small world;
A gift with the label "everything for 1 €" on sale;
Alcohol should also be avoided if you don't know the person well. The person may not drink, or may not particularly like the type of alcohol you will choose.

Last but not least, the mug or the pen. If you offer one, they really have to be something special! Pay attention to the person's culture, especially in terms of food, symbols and values.

Choose the right gift

Buy a personalized gift: what do you know about the person, their activities, their tastes? Has he or she ever mentioned a trip, a book, a concept?
Buy a practical gift: the goal is to please them, and make the person remember your little attention every time he/she will use it.
Try a homemade gift: if you are creative, don't hesitate to put all your energy into this project. After all, even if it is extremely ugly, it comes straight from the heart!
Think of an original, even funny gift: like a nice pillow for your colleague who loves to take a nap after a MacDonald's around 3pm.
Think of a gift for the office: you will avoid marital dramas or misunderstandings.