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Avoid the Secret Santa Sack
The London Gift Consultancy’s Secret Santa Suggestions
A Vibrator. Nose & Ear Hair Trimmers. A ‘Bastard Boss of the Year’ Certificate.
“These are some of the worst Secret Santa gift ideas I’ve ever heard of,” says Lorraine Loughlin, professional gift consultant, at the London Gift Consultancy.
Nine out of ten workers use Secret Santa to tell their colleagues exactly what they think of them.
Over half admit to using it to tell a work colleague that they fancy them.
83% of those surveyed dread having to give the boss a gift with "How to win friends and influence people" as the preferred present for a horrid boss.
Lorraine recognizes three categories of shocking Secret Santa gifts which should be avoided: the inappropriate; the well intended - but hurtful; and the ‘meant to be funny’.
Inappropriate Gifts
Sex toys such as vibrators, love cheques, chocolate body paint, or saucy underwear are a big no-no. “Anything with a sexual connotation is not a good idea. Not only could they be embarrassing but they could even be interpreted as sexual harassment. Cheeky is ok. Sexy is not. It could get you the sack,” advises Lorraine.
Well Intended Gifts
Using Secret Santa to address an ‘office problem’ by buying well intended gifts like nose and ear hair trimmers or deodorants could upset your colleagues and work environment.
“Presents that highlight personal attributes that someone may be sensitive about should be avoided. Such good intentions could be interpreted as spite. Stay well clear of personal products,” warns Lorraine.
“If you want to give books to a co-worker, stay away from self help books. ‘Succeed as a new manager: how to inspire your team and be a great boss’ or ‘The girls guide to being a boss,’ may be intended to help but they may translate as being patronising or a suggestion of incompetence.”
Gag Gifts
Office clowns beware.
Lorraine says, “I recently heard of someone foolishly buying a comb for their bald boss. There’s always the temptation to make fun of your co-workers. Sometimes the joke can be insulting.”
“In particular, political and religious gag gifts should be avoided at all costs,” warns Lorraine. “Pet toys such as Osama bin Ladin figures and ‘Answer me Jesus’ or ‘Buddha’ dolls are precarious presents. Even as a joke these can be considered offensive or even blasphemous.”
“Even gag gift certificates such as ‘The World’s Worst Co-worker’ and ‘Bastard Boss of the Year’ can be rude and de-motivating,” says Lorraine.
Secret Santa Suggestions
Claire Stogden, director of Human Resources at Inspired HR, a specialist HR consultancy, says, “Secret Santa is meant to be fun, and in most cases, a gift of ‘The Dummies Guide to Email’ for the technophobe will be received with good humour. There is always the chance, though, that this kind of gift will offend or humiliate, violating the recipient’s dignity. Such unwanted behaviour may be perceived as harassment, even if the perpetrator did not intend to cause this. Legally, employers have responsibilities under health and safety and discrimination legislation to prevent harassment. They also have a duty of care to meet employee’s expectations under the psychological contract. Secret Santa could be breeding ground for harassment, and employers need to consider their position on this. When it comes to it, though, it would be a shame to take out the fun out of Secret Santa – as long as everyone agrees it is fun. The giver should always choose their gift with sensitivity, ensuring that the recipient will accept it in spirit in which it was given. If there is any doubt, play it safe.”
Likewise Lorraine says, “Secret Santa is hard. Often you’re buying presents for people you don’t know that well. Presents can be cheeky, fun and creative, just make sure they’re not insensitive or inappropriate.”
Lorraine is offering five Secret Santa suggestions from the London Gift Consultancy so workers can avoid the Secret Santa Sack.
Lorraine says, "Bananagrams is a high-speed adrenalin scrabble-like game - just louder and without the board, the maths, or the boredom. Its charm is in its simplicity and mobility. The Bananagram can be played just about anywhere with a flat surface and because of its zipped container you don't have to worry about losing any of those vital pieces, as you might with a conventional board game. It'll have your mates shouting 'Split', 'Peel' and 'Dump' for the entirety of Christmas and beyond to the confusion of everyone else in the household.
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Crap Christmas Trumps, £8. |
Lorraine says "The Christmas edition of Crap Trumps is a cynical take on the retro trading card game that covers all our Christmas pet hates. If the annual orgy of yuletide cheer brings you out in a bad case of the 'bah humbugs', then this is the game for you. Even the biggest Christmas sceptic will struggle to resist this stocking filler and it is the best excuse for remaining a misery throughout all the Christmas cheer."
"Deal with Arachnophobia at arms length with the Spider Catcher and still impress your girlfriend, while avoiding the usual controversy of using your shoe heel after she's spent 20 minutes of the Cup Final pleading with you to remove the monster. Pull the trigger and the bristles open; release the trigger and the bristles close allowing you to capture any wee beasties in your range without damaging them. You can release your prey without having to touch it with your hands and it is a vital item for anyone planning a trip to the Southern Hemisphere," says Lorraine.
Lorraine says, “Resist the “World’s greatest boss” mind-numbing mugs this Christmas. Get one of these truly personalised mugs featuring the recipients name and drink preferences. They’re great for the office. Choose from tea, coffee or herbal, whether they have milk or not and how many sugars they take – none, 1, 2, 3 or lots of sugar for those with a sweet tooth.”
Lorraine says, “The Goddess Guide is written by a woman of eclectic tastes for daring women of style. With the aid of the Guardians of Style it takes women through delightful tutorials of life to become a Home, Earth, Urban, Luxurious, Office and Sex Goddess. Written by an every-woman, this book is for any woman.”
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The Dangerous Book for Boys, £19 |
Lorraine says, "Men are just grown up boys, and this is the perfect book for boys whatever their age. How many other books will help you thrash someone at conkers, race your own go-cart, and identify the best quotations from Shakespeare? It gives you facts and figures at your fingertips - swot up on the solar system, learn about famous battles and read inspiring stories of incredible courage and bravery. Teach your old dog new tricks. Make a pinhole camera and much more."
All products are available from www.thelondongiftconsultancy.com
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For further editorial information, contact Parker, Wayne & Kent Public Relations on +44 20 7609 1900 or email giftconsultancy@pwkpr.com
About The London Gift Consultancy
The London Gift Consultancy, established in January 2003, has expert knowledge of the gift industry. The London Gift Consultancy serves both personal and corporate customers and is able to source original and tailored gifts to suit every occasion. Research and creativity keeps them on the pulse, aware of the latest fashions and products.
For further information on The London Gift Consultancy visit www.thelondongiftconsultancy.com
About Inspired HR
Inspired HR is a specialist recruitment agency helping organisations to recruit, retain and motivate the best people. Inspired HR has a unique HR-centric approach which has helped companies recruit ‘smarter’ by enabling a better match between strategic requirements and potential employees.
For further information on Inspired HR visit www.inspiredhr.com
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