Secret Santa Claus is coming to town

Secret Santa Claus is coming to town…and it’s almost time for the annual exchange of gifts in the workplace.

The concept of Secret Santa is simple, pick a name at random, buy that person a gift and keep the giver’s identity a secret.

You’ve managed to negotiate the pitfalls of the work Christmas Party, but how do you make sure your Secret Santa gift doesn’t show you up? Here are our top tips on how to make sure your present doesn’t end up as the nightmare before Christmas:

Take Part

Even if Secret Santa isn’t really your thing, opting out could give you a reputation as the office Scrooge.

Yes, you might have to buy a gift for someone you don’t know, or even worse that you don’t like, but a thoughtful gift is a great way to build or repair a relationship.

Don’t ruin the surprise

The first rule of Secret Santa is you don’t talk about Secret Santa.

Nobody likes a spoilsport.

Know your limits

Whatever the limit is for your gift, whether it’s £5 or £15, make sure you stick to it as closely as possible.

Go too far under the limit and you’ll look like a cheapskate, go overboard and you’ll look like you’ve tried too hard. Or worse, that you’re trying to suck up.

Either way, the only thing you’ll succeed in doing is alienating your colleagues and making things awkward for the person who receives your gift.

Know your audience

Although you might have a joke in mind that you think is hilarious, make sure your gift isn’t going to offend or upset anyone.  If the joke is NSFW then chances are neither is the gift.

Remember, you want a Christmas card from Janice in HR, not your P45.

Do a bit of digging

If you work somewhere with a lot of staff, chances are you may end up buying a gift for someone you don’t know. It’s time to put your detective’s hat on and find out as much as you can about them – without giving the game away of course! Ask around the office, check any social media profiles or see if there’s anything at their workstation that gives any clues about their hobbies or interests.

If all else fails, go for the safe options- chocolates, wine or a gift voucher!

Don’t be lazy

As tempting as it is to think ‘it’s only Secret Santa – who cares’, try to put some effort into your present. It’s the thought that counts, so even if the gift you choose isn’t quite right, as long as you’ve put some effort in it’ll be appreciated.

If your workplace is making you feel more like Scrooge than Santa, maybe it’s time to find a new job. Search all the latest vacancies at jobs24.com now.

Posted on November 16, 2018