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Pygmalion Present Offshoot - Now I Can Laugh

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Sharnita:
This year we decided our staff was going to have our holiday party right after school on the 8th and staff who wanted to could participate in a Secret Santa exchange. I decied to take part in the exchange. Every morning last week I went to my mailbox in the morning, only to find my SecSan had left a couple pieces of what was obviously leftover Halloweeen candy. I was a little dispappointed but I still had the party and my "big gift"to look forward to.

Since the party was held at school it was potluck and there was no option of enjoying a drink with co-workers. As a result, a lot of teachers did'nt attend or left early. Our math teacher approached me and handed me a gift bag. He explained he was my SecSan and he wasn't staying. Now, I like to savor my gifts and hold out as long as possible, which drives family and friends crazy. I sat with the unopened gift bag for over an hour before I finally reached in and pulled out my present. In my hands was a boxed make-up "kit". The sticker on the box proclaimed it was a "$20 Value". Some of the color choices for lipstick and eye makeup were such that I could go into another, possibly more lucrative, line of work as a street walker.

AS far as I can tell he either:
1) regifted.

2) went shopping the night before looking for something "girly".

graceh9:
the whole 'secret santa' thing is such a sorority girl sort of thing to do that I can't imagine doing it at an office -- how many guys are going to be thrilled to prepare little daily gifts?  a couple of pieces of candy is probably more than most men would want to do -- and many women -- and a make up kit seems like a reasonably generic and girly gift to a guy who has no interest in this sort of twinky activity -- and of course people who don't actually use make up are likely to see one of these garish disasters as 'just make up' and 'something women like' without actually noticing what the stuff really looks like -- what does a guy get a woman at the office that he doesn't really know for such a thing?  (unless soap of course)  I am not sure I would know what to get some guy I didn't know well

Balletmom:
I'm sorry you had a disappointing experience. That is one of the things I hate about the Secret Santa thing, you get great gifts from the Martha Stewart Wanna Be, or you get the left over Laffy Taffy from Coach Manly. (Or the math teacher...especially if he's not married.)

I do agree the Secret Santa thing is more for girls, and teen groups.

Maybe you could suggest a variation of the "Boo" thing. You get "Elfed" instead. There is a stocking picture with a poem that you copy twice (once to put name on, one for the next giftee) and you leave a small present under ten dollars.

One person starts it and it continues throughout the school or building, whatever. Most of the items we did last year were holiday decorating items--I got a pottery oversized mug and bowl filled with candy. It was so cute, I'm doing a variation of it for the Impossible to Please In-Laws. It was also inexpensive and inspiring--

You can also Elf people in your office who really need a pick-up or a "Hey, someone's thinking of you" message.

Which is really a lot more fun than sitting around in a potluck without any adult beverages (!) and opening somebody's desperate attempt to join in the office spirit.

Bob Ducca:
Sharnita, I feel for you.  That makeup kit has been my standard gift from my MIL for years.  I usually donate them to the local community theater or school drama department- they might be able to use something out of it.

I generally don't do secret Santas because of what you have described.  Sometimes people join because they think they "have" to, or because the thought of one more present is exciting, but they put little thought into reciprocity.  Hopefully next time will be better!

Lunadiana75:
Donate to a woman's shelter, they always need makeup for the women there.

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