Christmas Secret Santa Gifts Dos and Don'ts for Coworkers

When choosing secret Santa gifts for coworkers, reflecting what you know about your secret Santa gift recipient is often the best part of the festive process. Secret Santa gifts are often some of the most memorable presents of the holiday year. The right gift can make a coworker smile, while the wrong gift will leave them wondering what exactly you must have been thinking when you selected it. This year, choosing the perfect secret Santa gift need not be difficult or stressful. Here are the dos and don'ts of secret Santa gift giving with examples of great gift ideas.

Secret Santa Don't - Don't settle for a boring or typical gift like a mug full of sweets or a pre-packaged gift set.
Secret Santa Do - Choose gifts that reflect thoughtfulness and consideration.

A good example of a spa gift might be an ornate gift bag with an assortment of natural bubble bath, fragrant bath salts, a bar of handmade soap, a scented candle, and a quality sponge or loofa.

Secret Santa Don't - Don't choose food for a secret Santa gift unless you know your coworker isn't allergic, on a diet, or a picky eater.
Secret Santa Do - Consider edibles when the coworker offers snacks to others regularly, you know they have no food allergies, or if they have a family who might enjoy them together.

If you want to choose a food or snack secret Santa gift, select higher end or gourmet for added luxury. A bargain snack is a bargain snack. Though dollar everything stores are a great way to stretch a holiday budget, doing so with your secret Santa gift may send the wrong message.

Secret Santa Don't - Don't give risqué, personal, or embarrassing secret Santa gifts, especially to the opposite sex.
Secret Santa Do - Consider clean humor for the office prankster or relaxation gifts for the subdued.

Selecting a secret Santa gift that is unique or funny need not mean toilet, rude, or sexual humor. If you have heard stories of a coworker's hunting exploits, consider a plush deer and a toy dart gun. A cat lover may love a humorous cat book like Catmus Carols by Laurie Loughlin.

Secret Santa Don't - Don't choose a generic department store last-minute gift card.
Secret Santa Do - Select gift cards for stores your coworker would love by knowing their tastes.

A great secret Santa gift for a book lover is an Amazon gift card, but if online purchases aren't their thing, consider one for a local book shop. Music lovers might love to add to their musical library with an Itunes gift card. A recently married coworker might enjoy gift cards to romantic restaurants. Coworkers with families may enjoy family restaurant gift cards.

Secret Santa Don't - Don't regift, especially items you may have received from your secret Santa last year.
Secret Santa Do - Choose new items that are geared specifically to what you know about your coworker.

If you have gifts from last Christmas that were a mismatch, consider instead holding a regift trading party with friends or donate the gift to a shelter, charity, or freecycle.

Secret Santa Don't - Don't worry too much if you don't know your coworker spot-on.
Secret Santa Do - Try to get as much intel as you can about likes and dislikes.

If you are truly stumped at what to buy a coworker, answer the following question: would they kill a plant. If the answer is yes, as evidenced by dead or dying plants around their cubicle or office, then try a succulent. If they are willing to show their poor plant raising skills off to the world, they obviously like plants. If the answer is no, as evidenced by healthy plants in their cubicle or office, then try a unique species of plant. If they have plants, they must like them since they are willing to spend the time to take care of them. If the answer is that you do not know, consider a non-plant like a Ming tree, Zen rock garden, or desk toy.

Secret Santa Don't - Don't lose any sleep if your gift isn't well received.
Secret Santa Do - Learn about any disappointed coworker so that if you are unlucky enough to draw their name again, you are prepared for a less than stellar reception or a better strategy next time.

Secret Santa gifts are meant to be fun and festive. They aren't supposed to be the highlight of the party, nor are they supposed to be disregarded as a non event. Remember that one of your coworkers must also purchase a secret Santa gift for you, so try to be gracious and pleasant, even if the gift you receive misses the mark entirely. Happy Holidays.