Gransnet forums

Chat

secret santa gifts for someone you dont know that well

(32 Posts)
travelsafar Mon 30-Nov-20 13:49:06

My DD has to buy for work collegue who she doesn't really know that well. A lady in her fifties, my daughter in her 30's so she doesn't have a clue what to buy. I have suggested some things but wonder if any one could come up with a better idea. The budget is 10.00.

tanith Mon 30-Nov-20 13:56:32

A nice hand cream selection, book voucher, wine, gloves, picture frame.

Patsy70 Mon 30-Nov-20 14:07:16

Candles, luxury chocs, pretty mug or jug, soaps, plant.

Megs36 Mon 30-Nov-20 17:39:44

Bulb planter, M and S have some really nice ones, various China jugs or birds with different bulbs, also some garden centres.

vegansrock Mon 30-Nov-20 17:44:07

Posh soap or hand cream.

V3ra Mon 30-Nov-20 18:02:19

Some years ago I had to buy a Secret Santa for a younger (30s) colleague I didn't know that well. I bought what I thought was a nice handwash/handcream set on the grounds that anyone could use it and I'd like it.

She opened it and pulled a face, obviously not impressed.

Most of the other presents being exchanged were along the lines of nipple tassels and the like ?
You can tell I don't get out much, even in normal times ?

MawBe Mon 30-Nov-20 18:14:31

Something to eat or drink!

Callistemon Mon 30-Nov-20 18:14:32

Everyone needs nice soap and/or handcream at the moment!

Most of the other presents being exchanged were along the lines of nipple tassels and the like ?
You can tell I don't get out much, even in normal times ?

V3ra I'd rather stay in grin

Harris27 Mon 30-Nov-20 18:17:57

Next perfume is always acceptable and they do nice gift packages as well. I love nude it’s lovely. ( I’m 60) a young one?

NotAGran55 Mon 30-Nov-20 19:20:54

In my last job I was given 4 sets of ‘nice soap and hand cream’ at various times .
I only kept the one that was cruelty free and donated the others to the charity shop.

Wine or luxury chocolates would be my choice of gift from a stranger .

There is no way anyone could know my home styling and colour scheme , consequently mugs, picture frames etc would almost certainly end up at the charity shop too!

diygran Mon 30-Nov-20 19:40:00

I remember a secret santa I received when the budget was £5 was a pair of bedsocks! Very not impressed. This was a 30 something giving to me an ancient 55 at the time.

phoenix Mon 30-Nov-20 19:48:22

There are currently some really nice Amazon gift cards in lovely packaging. I've bought the ones in boxes with a felt reindeer ornament on the front for staff company Christmas gifts.

(I don't mean the reindeer was being felt, although it was smiling, rather it was made from felt)

No money wasted, recipient can choose their own stuff.

Lazyriver Mon 30-Nov-20 19:51:53

Someone gave me wooden hobby horse. Lilac head that went neigh if you pressed its ear. My grandchildren loved it and played with it for hours! Great success for a fiver.
Unfortunately there was a rather rude present for a so called ' party girl' who took great offense.
I've avoided secret Santa's as much as possible after that. It was very rude I have to say!

Puzzler61 Mon 30-Nov-20 20:02:09

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/895087986/a-little-box-of-festive-cheer
When you add postage to this it would equal £10 travelsafar.
I’d love to receive this in a Secret Santa (and I’m a mature woman ? ).
I think Etsy have some wonderful gift ideas.

Puzzler61 Mon 30-Nov-20 20:04:11

* Delivery is free I just noticed.

mumofmadboys Fri 04-Dec-20 07:38:14

I always think hand cream is really useful!

PollyDolly Fri 04-Dec-20 07:46:53

I would opt for a scarf, a long one that you can fasten in countless different ways; there is a YouTube presentation on trendy scarf tying I beilieve!

Hand cream would be a safe alternative along with some nice smelling, conditioning hand sanitizer- very apt for the current situation - there's quite a lot of different ones available.

Billybob4491 Fri 04-Dec-20 08:32:13

Perhaps a diary or a calendar, if desperate a face mask!

Lucca Fri 04-Dec-20 08:38:34

One if those Oxfam gift cards

Calendargirl Fri 04-Dec-20 09:29:12

So much easier not to do Secret Santa. Another bit of needless angst!

Bah humbug!

FindingNemo15 Fri 04-Dec-20 10:26:09

Billybob I do not think 30 somethings use diaries or calendars as they are strapped to their phones for this kind of thing.

Puzzler61 Fri 04-Dec-20 17:00:01

OP said the lady receiving the gift is in her fifties ?

Billybob4491 Fri 04-Dec-20 17:12:15

Finding nemo - I thought a lady in her fifties probably would keep a diary in her handbag but what do I know!

Megs36 Fri 04-Dec-20 17:22:55

Handcream mentioned a lot, the trouble with SS is you often don’t know the recipient at all, last year I got a very nice box of assorted hand creams, I have been fortunate enough to rarely need to use hand cream so another ‘re gifted’ present. I wonder how often that happens.

NotSpaghetti Fri 04-Dec-20 17:34:19

I was given three pots of herbs on a little tray. The tray was quite smart and contemporary - a narrow sort (such as would fit on a window ledge) and the three herbs were the sort you might plant out if you had a garden - thyme, rosemary and sage. It was also a £10 secret Santa and I thought quite unusual and useful.