<p>^^^exactly – everyone has their own opinion and preference. What’s right for one person is not right for another. Gift cards strike me as the lamest most generic thoughtless kind of gift, but other people love that. Here’s hoping we have all given the OP a variety of ideas. I believe the best gift is one that shows some thought on the giver as to what the recipient would like and use. Even though it’s an office Secret Santa (and thus is different from giving for family or friends) many of the same concepts apply.</p>
<p>While gift cards may be nice to receive, I also think in general, that they don’t show as much thought. I don’t think the spirit of Secret Santa comes across with a gift card. I think Secret Santa gifts are small things that require some thought about the receiver of the gift. </p>
<p>The reason I mentioned an XMas ornament is that it is not expensive, but may have meaning each holiday when the person uses it and remembers who gave it to them, especially if the ornament is tied into something meaningful about the person. </p>
<p>I think Secret Santa is more about the meaning/thought that went into it, than the actual value of the gift itself. That is why I would not give a Gift Card for a Secret Santa gift.</p>
<p>Last year I got some co-workers little Christmas Trees that plug into the USB port of your computer. They lit up and changed colors. They were kind of silly but seemed appreciated. </p>
<p>I agree with previous posters who say that it is the thought that counts. I don’t think a 10 dollar secret Santa gift has to be the best gift ever.</p>
<p>Veruca,
Do you have a link to those little Christmas trees? I’m curious…</p>
<p>Why is the boss in on the exchange? That to me is the biggest no-no. I have strict rules, workers do not buy bosses gifts. Period. I don’t even like gift exchanges of any kind, it causes so much heartache and fussing.</p>
<p>A basket I got mine at target and they looked like this :</p>
<p>[Amazon.com</a> - USB 7 Colors Fiber Optic Christmas Tree with Top Star](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Colors-Fiber-Optic-Christmas-Tree/dp/B007RIHJO8]Amazon.com”>http://www.amazon.com/Colors-Fiber-Optic-Christmas-Tree/dp/B007RIHJO8)</p>
<p>They don’t look like much when they aren’t lit up but they were very cute when they were changing colors. I smiled every time I looked at mine</p>
<p>That’s a cute little novelty gift - thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>I like the gift exchange we do at our art group’s holiday party. Everyone who wants to participate brings an inexpensive gift and sticks it in a big bag. If you brought something you pull out a gift, if you didn’t, you don’t. There’s no pressure, no one cares if you didn’t participate and it’s always amusing to see what people brough - often tiny works of art they made themselves.</p>
<p>1,000 Places to see before you die day-by-day desk calendar; the day-by-day calendars are so much better than wall calendars (I think).</p>
<p>I agree with no alcohol and nothing too personal. I personally try to go with something consumable (food of some sort). Try to see what the boss likes to eat or drink–coffee or tea and get a holiday coffee or tea to be seasonal, perhaps in a mug or with a seasonal potholder.</p>
<p>This year for my “little gifts” I am thinking of giving out scone mixes from King Authur Flour
along with a bag of coffee or maybe some jam </p>
<p>[mixes</a> > scones](<a href=“http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/mixes/scones]mixes”>King Arthur Baking Scone Mixes - Half the Effort and Entirely Delicious)</p>
<ul>
<li>a simple, small glass vase. I got this as a Secret Santa gift one year, and I loved it.</li>
</ul>
<p>-if your boss cooks, a unique kitchen gadget, cooking mitt, apron, etc. </p>
<p>-something with your college logo on it. I found items for less than $10 on various websites. I’m sure your college bookstore has some too. If not, try this one. Once you select a college, you can search for gifts under $10. I found some cute ones–tree ornaments, socks, key chains, etc. [College</a> Football Store | NCAA Football Clothing & Apparel, NCAA Shop, College Football Jerseys, T-Shirts, Hats](<a href=“Access Denied”>http://www.collegefootballstore.com/)</p>
<p>Nice all occasion note cards can be a practical gift as well–useful without being TOO personal and consumable. Hallmark and other stores sell them in small packs. Nature scene perhaps–nothing religious or too trendy or seasonsal.</p>
<p>An umbrella can be a useful and practical gift, as wetter and snowier weather approaches as well. Ross and other discount stores often have them at reasonable prices with neutral patterns and designs.</p>
<p>There are lots of great suggestions here. We don’t have a Secret Santa at work, but I do need some small gifts. Those beeswax candles are beautiful, and I love the lighted Christmas tree. The food gift suggestions are great - especially the “in a jar” gifts.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, if I wore nail polish, I would love a bottle as a gift, especially from a younger female who is more fashionable and might have good ideas about what color would be good for me. That’s my idea of a thoughtful, personal small gift.</p>
<p>Ten 1 dollar scratch off lottery tickets is my go to Secret Santa gift. Fun for the receiver and occasionally lucky.</p>
<p>In the parties I attend, the food gifts are always the most popular, especially small boxes of Godiva chocolates. Sometimes gag gifts are fun–one of the most popular ones was a head massager (wires with a small bit of plastic at the end, attached to a handle (hard to explain), but sold at As Seen on TV stores and was in Target bargain bin.</p>
<p>Sometimes cute, seasonal jewelry is fun, if it’s for females. Fuzzy socks can also be nice gift, with an emery board. I’m not a fan of nail polish, but know many are–too many shades and too hard for me to choose, plus I have difficulty with scents.</p>
<p>Bake something yummy in one of these, and include the recipe.</p>
<h2>[Amazon.com:</a> Set of 2 Large, Colorful Holiday Loaf Pans: Kitchen & Dining](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009INKOIS/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B009INV1AS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Q7EKPCJ3YCP7WQCJKTJ]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009INKOIS/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B009INV1AS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Q7EKPCJ3YCP7WQCJKTJ)</h2>
<p>Thanks for the ideas, everyone! I am a girl to clear things up :)</p>
<p>I do not know where you are–but I would buy 3 bars of Seattle Chocolate bars (you can fudge and order them on line and pay the shipping and wrap it yourself–even if you pay a few bucks extra) unless you know she/he does not like chocolate. It is lovely and few bucks a bar. (many people cheat just a bit on the price).</p>
<p>i was just in Williams Sonoma, and they have some holiday utensils and dish towels on display. I’m sure you know if your boss is Christian or not. </p>
<p>I like many of the ideas on this thread. For my “boss”, I’ll stick to alcohol.</p>