Secret Santa - to do or not to do?

The 'rules' of all the secrets Santas I've been involved in, require the organiser to putall names of gift participants into a hat then the gift givers secretly draw one name out, and purchase a gift to the agreed limit for the named participant, wrap it and then put it anonymously, with a gift label with the recipient's name on it, in a sack or box for distribution at the agreed time. A variation on this theme where some participants don't have a spare £10. is to do Poundland Santa, where all gifts are purchased from a pound shop.

Well I think donating to an animal shelter is a lovely idea. LRavenscroft
I'm going to take some treats and varied food down to our local shelter at Christmas.
You do what makes you happy. It doesn't matter what other people think.

You do what makes you happy. It doesn't matter what other people think

Wise words indeed!

Hmm. Should we not think about what makes other people happy too😀

Can you stay part of a group if you go your own way?

Just philosophising here.

Don’t be sanctimonious about it - absolving your decision by ‘giving to charity’ Just say you are not participating. By all means donate to the charity of your choice but quietly.

On a bright note, out of 10 members there might be others that think it's a good idea to give £10 to a charity of their choice this year.
Make a suggestion?

I was in a book group and we had secret Santa. It was stipulated that all gifts should be bought from a charity shop and cost no more than £4. Perhaps the idea could be floated in the poetry group if it's not too late.

I have re-read your letter. I don’t think this is a Secret Santa, it’s buying 10 prezzies. I would never have got involved in the first place.

The only time I've ever given to charity as a gift for someone was when my mum was very old and she had everything she needed or wanted. I bought a gift from the Christian aid gifts selection as she was a supporter and chose items for a school in the third world as my mum had been a teacher. I told her I was doing that and she seemed pleased. Sadly she went into hospital before Christmas and never came out. When sorting her things we found wrapped gifts in her room that we had to find homes for. They weren't labelled so couldn't be returned to sender. So glad there wasn't one from me!

Lathyrus

Hmm. Should we not think about what makes other people happy too😀

Can you stay part of a group if you go your own way?

Just philosophising here.

I called up the organisers of the poetry group and they think it is a brilliant idea. Another man is following suit and most of the group are cat lovers so what's not to like? Thank you for all your points of view. All's well that ends well!!!

Coco51

Don’t be sanctimonious about it - absolving your decision by ‘giving to charity’ Just say you are not participating. By all means donate to the charity of your choice but quietly.

Please don't be so rude using the word 'sanctimonious' and 'absolving my decision'. I came on here to ask for genuine opinions as to what people thought of me possibly donating my money to an animal rescue centre instead of buying some rubbish the other person doesn't want and which I certainly don't want to receive during these cash strapped times. Indeed, I telephoned the organisers who are cat lovers and they think it is a brilliant idea. Another man is also joining me. So, £20 going to a good cause at Christmas. What's not to like?! Sanctimonious, not!!

Virtue-signalling.

We do a Christmas tree decoration exchange at our WI. What I find is a buy a Christmas bauble I really like and end up getting another that I’m not so keen on.😆

LRavenscroft. Your gesture may be just the prompt others in the group were waiting for 👍

Goodness Me £100.00 ....secret Santa to me is buying one gift for the name you have pulled out bag then wrap it and put it in the box on the day they are to be gifted 🙂🌲🎄🌲