I work in a medical clinic where it was decided after work on Friday that we would do a Secret Santa gift swap. Unfortunately, not everyone received the memo, and will not see the email until Monday and reply if they opt in or out. Gift swap day is Wednesday, so not much time to shop, and we won’t know until sometime Monday who we are buying for.
Limit is $25, all female, doctors, PA, nurses, receptionists, and billing people included. Ages range from 34-64. While I would like to wait until I know who’s name I get, that means not shopping until after work Tuesday as we work late on Mondays. Need to find something this weekend, either local or Amazon Prime. I don’t mind getting a couple of different things and returning later once I know which name I get; I just really don’t want to have to shop Tuesday night for Wednesday. I also do not know if gift cards are allowed, although I would rather buy a thing.
Candles. Frango Mints. Scarf (winter or silk). Gloves. Gift certificate for a manicure. A game you like or have heard about (we really love Uno Attack) or put together a game night basket with candy, drinks, and card games.
Some ideas from some of the secret Santa and white elephant parties I’ve been to- Puzzle, cookbook, nice hydroflask water bottle or one of their other products, bees wrap, nice pair of socks, chocolate, bird feeder, throw blanket, coffee or tea from local shop,colored pencils with coloring book
I like the nice insulated commuter cup idea with some kind of gift card where there are a variety of beverages. If you don’t know the person…you don’t know if wine, or candy, or scented candles, or whatever will be good. But a good commuter mug? That would work.
Or just wait until you know who and enjoy shopping Tuesday after work for something more person specific from the above suggestions.
I have given the shea butter gift set from L’Occitane. There is no real fragrance, and the shea butter is wonderful: L’Occitane Moisturizing Shea Essentials Gift Set for Dry Skin. I also love the hand lotion that I keep by the kitchen sink, but it has either a lemony or lavender fragrance.
If you have a Trader Joe, maybe a small box of treats plus a gift card. (Admittedly this idea is because I joined a TJ facebook group last month and see all kinds of fun foods there.)
Some of my go-to winter house gifts are boxed amaryllis bulb and candles (which can easily be re-gifted if they don’t like).
Oh, yes, a Trader Joe’s gift bag. Get a nice TJ canvas bag, wool dryer balls, a container of peppermint bark (I think that’s what they call it) and a bottle of sparkling cider or whatever else you think might be enjoyed.
Thanks for the suggestions, hopefully these will help others. It seems the organizer when ahead with the drawing with the people that RSVP; she use an app called Elfster. I ended up with my clinic manager, the person I know the most about. Without agonizing for hours like I usually do, I got her an insulated wine tumbler with a tennis saying as she likes both I then added a notebook with a funny saying on the front, both from Amazon due to arrive Tuesday. I went over the $25 by a few dollars, but got what I wanted!
This is the quickest I have ever purchased a gift and I tend to second guess and want to find something better. Now if Amazon doesn’t come through, I will be running out Tuesday night!
So remember just this morning I said I purchased a gift without second guessing what I got; well, I am second guessing The Elfster site lets you add items to a wish list, which the person that drew your name can view. The person I got went ahead and added a few items this afternoon. The items she added are from Amazon and I could easily order one, but doesn’t requesting a gift take away from the fun? I understand the giver can ensure their gift is wanted, but I also think it doesn’t make the giver think about what to give. Why not just everyone buy a $25 card so the recipient can buy what they want? I did not add suggestions for my giver; hope they take a moment to think about what I would like.
I am going to stick with what I have due to my above thoughts and hope she will like them. She can re-gift if she wants!
The biggest problem is your time frame. Also sounds like things are being set up backwards - probably other people already bought their Secret Santa a gift before seeing their wish list!
I’ll be honest I hate things like this because IMO, LOTS of people don’t give a thought to what someone actually wants. I cringe every time I read “just get them a bottle of wine!” - I don’t really drink so that gift is not a gift for me!
Agree that a bottle of wine is a very personal taste and not something that a surprising number of us would enjoy. When we do grab bags, edible goodies inevitably are very popular and “stolen” more than many of the other gifts.
I then added a notebook with a funny saying on the front, both from Amazon due to arrive Tuesday. I went over the $25 by a few dollars, but got what I wanted!
The Elfster site lets you add items to a wish list, which the person that drew your name can view. The person I got went ahead and added a few items this afternoon. The items she added are from Amazon and I could easily order one, but doesn’t requesting a gift take away from the fun? I understand the giver can ensure their gift is wanted, but I also think it doesn’t make the giver think about what to give. Why not just everyone buy a $25 card so the recipient can buy what they want? I did not add suggestions for my giver; hope they take a moment to think about what I would like.