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Hey, I think that the people calling the OP a brat are wrong.
ALL of the Secret Santa gift exchanges that I have participated in over the years the participants gave gifts that were very close to or even over the maximum.
In fact, at several places there was the "unwritten understanding" that people would buy gifts on sale or with Kohl's cash and give gifts that were much more expensive than the maximum allowed. So, if the maximum was $20, almost all of the gifts that were exchanged would actually be closer to $35 or $40 gifts.
Now, that may not be the case at the OPs place of employment but giving a $2 candy cane when the gift limit was $20 was tacky, tacky, tacky. This is especially apparent when the OP said that the gift giver routinely spends $20 a day ordering in lunch (so they are obviously not pinching pennies).
I can see why the OP was disappointed.
However, IMHO, she should not have complained to co-workers right now just in case the candy cane was just the first, minor gift and the Secret Santa was planning on giving her the major gift closer to Christmas.
this is why my office has $20 minimum not limit on gift exchange.
But honestly you can say bah humbug but I'm sick of being pressured into these things. I have to do 2 white elephants, 2 adopt a families and 2 pot lucks at my job due working with different teams. None of them are mandatory but people that run them are definitely taking mental notes about who participates. So I end up spending more on holiday stuff at work then I do on my wife's christmas present. It's especially unfair when people don't have a lot of extra money and do have their own kids and families to buy for. If companies want to celebrate then open up the purse strings and have a traditional holiday party where the company pays for everything and people just have a good time
I'm the organizer of my office's "Secret Santa" gift exchange which is completely voluntary and about 1/3 of the office participates in. If I hear of someone complaining of a gift that they received, the complainer will not be invited to participate next year. It completely ruins the spirit in which this exchange is supposed to embody.
Years ago at our "reveal" party, one of our participants made a tactless remark to the entire group which was hurtful and embarrassing to the giver. What she didn't realize is that it made her look bad, not him.
If I hear of someone complaining of a gift that they received, the complainer will not be invited to participate next year. It completely ruins the spirit in which this exchange is supposed to embody.
What about the cheapskate that gets a $2 candy cane instead of a decent gift? Doesn't that ruin the spirit too?
I'm the organizer of my office's "Secret Santa" gift exchange which is completely voluntary and about 1/3 of the office participates in. If I hear of someone complaining of a gift that they received, the complainer will not be invited to participate next year. It completely ruins the spirit in which this exchange is supposed to embody.
Years ago at our "reveal" party, one of our participants made a tactless remark to the entire group which was hurtful and embarrassing to the giver. What she didn't realize is that it made her look bad, not him.
Wait until they go to HR or sue the company for discrimination for not being included
I've played Secret Santa where the giver gives several little surprise gifts, then a bigger gift at the end. Maybe this was the case? It was more fun, finding a candy, or a little card, or a little silly desk toy, and then perhaps a scarf or a book at the end.
I thought that might be what was going on too, especially since it is only the 7th.
Personally, if it were me giving a series of treats to you OP, I would stop right at this candy cane, and donate anything else to a homeless shelter.
I'm glad I don't work in some of your offices lol. Anyway, I am totally over it today and I think the person thought anything up to the amount is totally fine... I don't remember her ever participating in SS in any previous years to begin with. It might not even BE the person I am thinking about who gave it to me. I put my foot in my mouth complaining about it and honestly not proud of that at all. I know it's so lame, but I look forward to my secret santa gift every holiday season. The only other year I was disappointed was when I got a book about the history of punk music, which I thought made no sense, but at the same time it was a book that I got about halfway through and enjoyed, I can't say the same about a candy cane though, but in the end it's all kinda funny and I need to get over myself and my secret santa entitlement.
I look forward to my secret santa gift every holiday season.
If you'll DM me your name and address, I'll be happy to send you a gift since you don't have any family. Nobody should go without on Christmas.
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