Whether you work in a boutique law firm in London, a large call center in Atlanta, or one of the best offices near Melbourne’s CBD, the Secret Santa tradition can bring a lot of fun and excitement into the workplace. No matter how serious your day-to-day work may be, it’s nice to break away from the grind to bond with your team and boost morale.
Of course, striking the right balance between thoughtful, affordable, and workplace-appropriate can be a real minefield! To ensure your Secret Santa experience is savvy and stress-free, here are five ways to tweak your office gift exchange for success:
- Consider A Theme
If you want to help the office get a starting point for Secret Santa ideas, you could create a theme. This makes it more exciting, creates a talking point, and helps those without a clue where to start have at least some idea of what to get. Here are some fun Secret Santa theme ideas:
- Gifts made by local businesses
- Seasonal treats
- Office essentials
- Set A Budget And Stick To It
Insist that everyone sticks to the same budget – one which is comfortable for all involved. A defined price ensures everyone feels confident their gifts are of a similar value, and prevents anyone feeling pressured to spend too much.
Apparently, over 30% of millennials would like the office Secret Santa tradition to be binned, and part of the reason is because it’s an extra cost many can’t afford. If people are strapped for cash, you could make it a rule that all gifts have to be thrifted. Handmade custom gifts that cost nothing (this should be unserious, like silly pictures or sock puppets) can also work.
- Establish Clear Guidelines
This experience should be fun, not awkward or stressful. By setting clear rules about the types of gifts that should be given, and which should be avoided, you can prevent anybody from getting offended or too personal.
An easy rule is to avoid any type of subject or area that you wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing in the office. AKA no gifts that are smutty, even if you’re sure the recipient would find it funny. Ensuring gifts are all appropriate for everyone regardless of religion or lifestyle) is also important. For example, 4% of Americans are vegan, so dairy chocolate isn’t a one-size fits all gift.
- Organize A Simple Wish List System
We know from a poll that the third most desired Christmas gift category is clothing, textiles, or shoes. We also know that the perfect gift for one person is a definite no-no for another. For that reason, it is a great idea to take the guesswork out of Secret Santa and have a wish list system. A simple spreadsheet everyone can access will do!
- Make That Gift-Exchange Low Pressure
Some people love giving and receiving gifts, but many of us actually find it challenging to be watched while we open a gift. With that in mind, the gift-exchange should be low-key for all involved. It could be nice to do it as a little event, with snacks, a conference call setup for virtual team members, and a bit of an opening ceremony. But check this with your team first, and get their consensus on whether they would enjoy it. A more low-key idea would be to have everyone leave their gifts (well-labelled) on a table, and once they’re all present and accounted for, management could distribute them to recipients to open at their leisure.
Put these simple tips in action, and you’ll be all set to arrange a stress-free festive event for everyone involved!
