Secret Santa in the office: finding the right Secret Santa gift
The year is drawing to a close, Christmas is just around the corner and things are also getting more reflective in the office. In some companies, this also involves giving each other presents. To ensure that this doesn’t get out of hand – both financially and in terms of time – most offices like to give presents. Here you can find out where the custom comes from, what different forms there are and which gifts you can’t go wrong with.
Where does the custom of Secret Santa come from?
The origin of this custom comes from Scandinavia; Sweden, to be precise. There, the original form of Secret Santa is called “Julklapp”, which is a combination of the terms “Jul” (the festival of the winter solstice) and “klapp” (to knock, to knock together). It may involve throwing a present into a room after a loud knock – but this has absolutely nothing to do with Secret Santa as we know it here in Germany.
By the way, other countries also do this…
…but then call it “secret Santa” (UK), “Amigo secreto” (Spain) or even “amico invisibile” (Argentina). In all cases, these terms stand for “invisible” or “secret” friend. If that’s not enough facts to liven up any Christmas party…
Our Secret Santa as we know it today actually takes its name from the gnome, the imaginary creature known from many Scandinavian legends. There he helps Santa Claus to distribute the presents.
What types of Secret Santa are there?
To find the right type of Secret Santa for your own office, you can choose between five different options.
Go for it
The most well-known and classic way is the so-called “Loswichteln”. The names of colleagues are written on pieces of paper and thrown into a pot. Everyone draws a name and keeps it for themselves. The aim is to secretly give a present to the person whose name you have drawn. This variant is particularly popular as it is not particularly time-consuming. So it’s perfect for the office.
Secret Santa
Another popular activity is blind wrapping. Everyone brings an anonymously wrapped present. The collected gifts are all placed in a large sack and everyone is allowed to pull one out. The trick with this variant is that you have to choose a gift that would suit everyone collectively. This makes things more difficult and impersonal at the same time.
Scrap metal
Another variation is junk gift giving, where the main aim is to make your colleagues laugh. Anything that can no longer be used at home is suitable. However, it should not cross the line of good taste; scrap is ok, but garbage is not.
Dice roll
Dice Secret Santa, for example, is a form of blind Secret Santa, but is particularly suitable for a get-together with colleagues. The anonymous Secret Santa gifts are placed in the middle of the table and if a six is rolled, you can choose a gift. This method is more time-consuming, but can be combined well with eating cookies, drinking punch and enjoying good conversation.
Robbery
A similar option is the “Räuberwichteln”. Instead of rolling the dice, the youngest can choose a gift, then the second youngest and so on. The participants can not only choose a gift from the table, but also “steal” the gift already chosen from another person. This variant is more time-consuming, but can be great fun with the right colleagues. Or it can lead to potential conflict and therefore arguments. So be careful when choosing the type of Secret Santa in the office. Caution: Not every type of Secret Santa is suitable for every company.
What should you bear in mind when doing Secret Santa?
A few rules are needed to ensure that the Secret Santa is a complete success. One very important aspect is that the price range is set in advance and adhered to. A range of €5-10 is common and appropriate for a Secret Santa in the office. If you don’t stick to this rule, you can quickly come across as either stingy or a suck-up.
You should also stick to the name drawn and not swap names with colleagues. On the one hand, this would take the fun out of it and on the other, it would make you look unsympathetic. No colleague deserves not to be given a gift.
Even if you don’t like your Secret Santa partner, you should definitely refrain from giving gifts of revenge, come to terms with the situation and perhaps even use it to get closer. Once it has been decided in the office that the Secret Santa will take place, you should not avoid it under any circumstances. Otherwise you will quickly become the spoilsport or an outsider.
Everyone should think about the right gift beforehand to avoid putting their foot in their mouth. Before giving wine as a gift, you should be sure that your colleague actually drinks alcohol. Secret Santa is also a good way to get to know your colleagues better.
Good gifts, bad gifts
To find the perfect gift, there are a few aspects to consider. A good gift can be practical, homemade or original. Homemade cookies, jam or funny knitted socks not only come from the heart, but have also become increasingly popular in recent years. Vouchers for the theater and cinema can also bring a lot of joy to the recipient.
Student assistants in particular can be very happy about Amazon vouchers.
Important when giving gift vouchers: A candle or chocolate bar can enhance the whole thing so that you don’t just receive a piece of paper.
What you should never give are gifts with a subliminal message that could possibly make the recipient feel bad. This includes hygiene products such as deodorant or soap and items with sexual innuendos. Used books or similar items are also an absolute no-go. Gifts should be fun and enjoyable.
If you don’t know what to do, you should ask yourself the question: “Would I be happy if a colleague gave it to me?” Ultimately, the most important thing is that you have a good time together. The Secret Santa and the gifts are not the decisive factor and should only add to the excitement.
With this in mind, we wish you a great pre-Christmas season in the office and an even better time with your colleagues.