Christmas Gift Giving

What if the Boss gets MY gift???

Aaaaah! Much debate is going on at Caroline Serviced Apartments right now, about what to buy for our staff Christmas Party. Last year we introduced the ‘Secret Santa‘ idea where each team member was to bring along a gift with a value up to $20.00.

Does size really matter?

Last year, we even bought a massive roll of Xmas paper so that each person could wrap their gift in the same paper and we’d bring all the gifts along to our party and make it difficult for each person to choose which gift they would take home. They were all wrapped the same, the only difference was the size or shape. But does size really matter? We each took a number out of a Santa Hat and that became the order in which we could choose our gift from the table of surprises. So if you had the last number – well  - the person before you pretty much decided which gift you’ll be taking home. Kind of like the fish John West rejects… hehe.

Anyway, it was a lot of fun! Some of the gifts were a little cheeky which made things quite funny (especially when the boss ends up with the naughtiest pressie)! The problem we’re faced with now is…. what IF the boss ends up with the present I have bought? And worse still…. what if he found out it was me who bought it? It really throws us all into a spin trying to decide if we choose a ‘safe’ gift which anyone could use or like, or do we try to mix things up a little and buy something that’s a bit silly/fun and wait to see who chooses it?

Santa’s Naughty List

Is that a chicken Mei-Li?

Everyone we work with has a pretty wicked sense of humour and I don’t think it’s possible to offend anyone with a silly gift… but it may be fun to see who might be embarrassed? Last year I ended up with a dancing man in a trench-coat who sang a song, then flashed his bits at the end of his song. Ahem, please note that this was a toy – and NOT my husband [that's another story]. The dancing toy didn’t quite make it to the mantle or go ‘straight to the pool room’, but he certainly brought a lot of laughs at our Christmas party. Our company is like a big family and we can all have a great laugh together – isn’t that what the silly season is all about? We’ve worked so hard all year, and for one night we all get together to pat ourselves on the back for our efforts and have a laugh.

It wasn’t me who came down the chimney…

The key thing may be to remember that a ‘Secret Santa’ is an anonymous gift – therefore if you play your cards close to your chest, no one ever has to know it was you who bought that steak knife, or that calendar …or that apron with a suggestive slogan. No fingers can be pointed if it’s anonymous right? On that note, I think I’ll leave this post here. Although, if you have any ideas or suggestions how you handle your Christmas party, or ‘Secret Santa’ gifts, we’d love to hear them!