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Shopping for Holiday Gift Exchanges

I'm going to take a break from my college series to talk about holiday work gift exchanges. If you work in education as I now do you will most likely have the opportunity to participate in a "Secret Santa" game. Other professional settings may have that or something similar. Some do a "White Elephant" or "Dirty Santa".
Some general rules of thumb are...
  • Keep your setting in mind
    • working in a school for example, while we're all adults we can't exchange alcohol or adult gifts 
  • Keep your potential recipient in mind
    • This gift might not go to your friend that you work with but possibly anyone you work with that may not have the same since of humor or enjoy the same things as you
  • Stick to the price cap
    • You may be tempted to go over but there's a cap for a reason. Other people may not be able to afford to get fancy gifts so not only will people frown upon it because now there gifts don't compare and you look like a jerk, but you also may not receive as expensive of a gift.
With Secret Santa you know your recipient and usually you get a list that they've filled out with things that they like which is super helpful. 
  • If you get one of these to fill out it's super helpful to be specific in it. 
    • Someone that has no clue who you are may get you and you'll also be more likely to get things you'll actually enjoy
    • ex. if you put lotions, soaps, or candles consider listing scents (earthy, fruity, floral, homeopathic)
  • Our list included favorite snacks, teams, drinks, hobbies, books, music, colors, collectables, and stores (great to add for gift card purposes). If the list provided to you doesn't have these things here are some things to consider adding
  • Be sure to include any allergies or sensitivities to food, lotions and soaps, etc.
I do recognize that there are some people that are vague on purpose and they are up for anything as far as their presents go and if that's the case your Secret Santa will just have to get creative.
  • Go-to's for non-specific or hard to shop for people are scratch off lottery tickets, homemade cookies, visa gift cards or gas cards, batteries, hot hands (if it's cold where you live this time of year), holiday socks, nice pens and stationary, scented hand sanitizer (especially if you're in a school or hospital environment).

Whatever you do have fun and enjoy getting to know another coworker a little better.
Peace, Love, and Flowers


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