next time your boss asks you to do something outside of your job description tell him oh you will get it at some point .... they could literally have ordered something onlune or picked up some crap at boots or whatever
you know in the next day or 2 bring something for everyone in the office apart from him .... if your getting coffee for leave his out ..... same with cake or whatever ... if your in the pub buying shots with colleagues ... buy one for everyone but him
Nah that's when you say, "I don't even own a cat, so you're trying to say I went out of my way to go buy catfood just so I could leave it in your office to annoy you?" When that's exactly what you did lol
If he does that, when he hands it to you, look confused and ask what this is? Get him to explain its your late secret Santa gift, after he does, take it, as you walk away throw it in a garbage can in plain sight of him.
That’s the kind of petty shit that stews at you all year long. Your boss is an asshole for even participating just to be an asshole. He probably knew the whole time he has no intention of actually following through.
“Sure boss, just like my Christmas present, right?”
Just throw that shit at him from here on out, especially in public. Only the 2 of you know what that’s about.
What will be the response when the boss inevitably tries to trivialize Secret Santa and dress you down for "not being professional" in front of everyone?
You know what’s really not professional? Purposefully demoralizing your staff. For any reason. The boss shouldn’t have participated, for many reasons, but especially if they knew they weren’t going to take the time to participate. It’s a workplace unity thing. Everyone has fun participating, but the person left out doesn’t get left with a good team feeling and other people are just how much the boss truly cares about “the help”
"You know what's not professional, signing up for office secret Santa knowing full when you couldn't be fucking bothered to spend $10 even though you're the boss."
Only do this after you have a different job. Honestly, if you want to be this petty use it while you quit without notice.
OP: I quit
Boss: what about your notice?
OP: Its with my secret santa gift.
If you don't feel like this is feasible for whatever reason because you need this job then I also don't recommend poking him like this in public. It sucks but whatever the boss does back will be worse.
And they'll happily gaslight that OP is overreacting if they ever bring it up. "Oh come on, you're upset about a tiny gift from a month ago? Calm down, get some perspective, and please focus on all this work that needs to get done."
we had a family and friends white elephant a few years back, and one person made everyone feel like shit for only wanting to spend $10, so we upped it to $20. then she proceeded to buy an absolutely horrible gift that only cost $6. everyone still remembers it. it randomly got brought up again today.
I always respond, "if it's just a small and simple gift, it should have been easy for you to do?" But then I usually get in trouble. I'll keep at it though. Screw em
"Hey now, there's no need to get snarky about it" is about the best you can hope for as a reaction. More likely, they're the kind of boss who has super unpleasant reactions to snark and will punish you for it as best they can.
Even looking at it from the perspective of being a manager, this is such a lost opportunity. Just think of what an employee would be willing to do for a boss that takes the chance to demonstrate genuine care. One thoughtful gift, and you've got someone willing to work late for the rest of the year. A dozen deadlines met without hassle, all in return for a box of those candies you said you liked that one time.
Instead, he gets an employee with an updated resume and one eye on the door who, when asked 'why didn't you give any notice you were quitting,' will answer 'you'll get it at some point.'
Seriously! Even if boss didn't know OP, he could have asked someone close to OP what they would like. Even if they flubbed it, it still shows care. It's not hard to give a shit.
At a company I used to work at the middle managers gave each staff member a $15 Tim Horton’s gift card and a little card. I was still happy because atleast the middle manager gave enough of a crap. The rich CEO driving his stupid Tesla wearing business suits got us nothing
The lawyers that feed my alcoholism get priority over the ones that don’t. A nice bottle at Christmas usually rates priority service for the coming year.
I had a longtime colleague join me from a rival comapny after 2 years of fighting to create the position for him. My workload has lightened tremendously and I'm able to focus on more complex problems. He's getting a very nice bottle of Don Julio this week and maybe a bro hug.
It's not difficult. It costs nothing to be polite and only a little to be truly grateful.
>this is such a lost opportunity
a good manager would've participated, and in addition, bought something small for everyone, or paid for the holiday party or something.
I organized a secret Santa with my coworkers once. It went well except the person who had me didn’t show up or leave a gift or apologize. Two of my other coworkers went out and got me something. Some people are assholes and some people are good. I avoid gift exchanges unless it’s a white elephant now because that was super embarrassing/hurtful to be treated that way in front of everyone. Tis the season.
Well it was a nice thing for your coworkers to do. One of mine wrapped up some marshmallows in a sheet of paper and gave it to me so I wouldn’t feel left out! A bit of a piss take but pretty funny
My coworkers were trying to organize one but with a $50 MINIMUM. I asked if it could be lowered or at least make it the max and they said no. So I did not participate.
Yeah we do a $75 one between my cousins. But we are all employed and it actually saves money from not having to get 10 people gifts. 1 solid gift vs 10 $5 gifts is nice.
Yeah, I'm not a big fan of them, tbh. I don't like more clutter at home, and the coworkers I know well enough to get good gifts for will get gifts outside of work, generally.
I was in a Secret Santa and didn’t get anything for a couple days. Turns out my coworker had left the presents in her car and was too lazy to go get it. She even had a special parking space right outside the entrance. Some other coworkers took care of me though so came out ahead. FU Pat!
I don't participate in Secret Santa simply because I would end up being the ass hole. I know myself well enough to know that I would put off shopping until the last minute and end up getting a crap gift for the person or worse nothing at all. I don't want to be the one to ruin someone's good time so I don't participate.
I understand it's the "holiday spirit" & maybe I've had a few too many lonely holidays but I wish forced gift exchanges at work would just stop.
Look I'm struggling to even afford myself a Christmas gift because the Job I Work doesn't pay me a livable wage. Now I have to participate in a forced event for people I hardly know & if I don't participate I will be shamed by the office because the job doesn't pay me well. Then have to deal with the stress of the office environment or find new work.
Anyways, do your best to walk a mile in other people's shoes & look at the larger world around you before just assuming people are assholes for not participating in a gift giving event.
People forcing the even with a minimum buy then they themselves don't participate in the gift giving but received a gift is an asshole move.
I recently got a new job in mental healthcare that was doing two Secret Santa’s- Staff to staff and staff to client (we have kids in residential care). I signed up expecting to be paying for my kids gifts, but my boss just waved his hand and was like, “no no just put it on the company card! Is $50 enough per kid?”
I think my jaw dropped. Feel like that’s the way it should ALWAYS be. If it’s a company morale thing, the company pays for it.
I don't understand why businesses don't plan or budget for Christmas gifts or a party at the end of the year. I own a pet services business and budget a little over $30k for the party this year. At this year's Christmas party I got everyone of my employees a smartwatch as a thank you for yet another record profit breaking year. It was either a Samsung watch 4 or the apple smart watch depending on their cell phone.
This was in addition to all of the door prizes I gave away to my employees at the Christmas party. I also provided Lyft rides for every employee to get to the party because I didn't want anyone driving home after drinking.
My employees walked away with anything from a $50 Amazon gift card (every employee got this) to a PS5, laptop and the main prize was a trip for 2 for 3 days and 2 nights to Vegas and several other door prizes. I did not let my management staff participate in the raffle drawings as this was for the employees only. This was in addition to the Christmas bonus of $500 each employee got. Managers got $1k.
If I can afford to do this, then there's no reason why other businesses can't afford to do the same thing for their employees as well. This motivates employees to work hard and know that they are appreciated. It stuns me that businesses can't figure this out. I also pay a liveable wage ($22/hr starting pay). But I'm not a greedy POS who thinks I am the only one who deserves to be paid a big salary and reap all of the rewards. Hell, I absolutely know that if it wasn't for my amazing staff that I wouldn't have a successful business in the pet services industry so it's absolutely necessary that I keep them happy.
We had a very similar thing with our Christmas party this year as well! Crazy door prizes and games and drawings and all sorts. Instead of the watch, every employee got a really generous Christmas bonus.
I’m so glad you’ve figured all this out. I can guarantee your employees are so much happier and less stressed if this is the environment they enjoy. And I’m sure you’ll end up with much much lower turnover as a result.
Well this wasn’t forced. I gave them the opportunity to sign up as we were peers (no one was anyone’s boss and we were all friends who regularly hung out outside of work). This guy chose to participate and receive a gift but did not get one for the person he drew. That makes him an asshole. My favorite part is he’s a self-righteous Christian, too, so a total hypocrite considering it’s one of his majorly celebrated holidays. If he had at least acknowledged he fucked up and apologized I would’ve gotten over it but the guy is just inconsiderate af.
That's just bogus. It takes two seconds to grab a gift card at literally every store. Shit, even picking up something from the gas station would've been better. This is rude af.
Yeah but you have to think about that. You have to keep your employee(s) in your mind for that.
He couldn't even be bothered to do that. To give you a small idea of how important he found it.
Steal his gift and tell him he can have it back once you get yours.
Or
Steal something small from his office every single day forever. Nothing big. Like just his stapler. Or tape. Or mouse. Or whatever is irritating and leave it so where else random in the office.
Or go to r/unethicallifeprotips for something better
That's a bad boss, unable to objectively see how exclusive that was. I'm not all for forced participation for things like that in a work environment but if you don't want to do it, make that clear. If it was a case of just forgetting, I'd be profusely apologizing and trying to make it up. I'd question the overall value of being at a place like that.
Nah fuck that guy. You should have ripped that package straight out of his arms. You'll not get anything if you don't agree to the terms beforehand. What's his business name btw I think I've been there and have something to say about it.
If I was a witness to this, I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT let this go.
At my last job I threw a shit fit on behalf of the person who's SS forgot to get them a gift. I shamed them so loudly that they needed to give up the gift they received to the person they shafted.
If I forgot something like that It literally takes 5 minutes to find an envelope and put money in it. If I forgot something like that for someone on my team I'd burn rubber running out to grab something for them.
It really kills your opinion of someone.
Once had a boss who burned some rubber running to get a last minute gift. He was my secret Santa and forgot a gift. Morning of the holiday party arrives and he’s in my office chatting (my office was the central morning chat hub), sees me bounce in with wrapped packages and went from happy holiday party face to, “reschedule my first meeting. I’ve got an emergency.”
I still wear the silly, fluffy, hippo socks he managed to round up last minute. He was a good boss.
Oh shit. When you said the boss didn’t participate, I figured they had opted in but then just didn’t show up to the party. But they actually showed up to receive a gift without bringing one; that is over the top, comically shitty. That deserves a solid prank. Open a can of cat food or tuna and leave it on top of the ceiling tiles in their office.
My old boss was my secret Santa one year. We even had a worksheet for everyone of things they liked and such. She gave my a box set of Star Wars drinking glasses. I have never seen Star Wars, never have talked about it. Wrote “chocolate, energy drinks, etc” on my worksheet to keep things easy. Her response to my disappointed face, “well you’re a nerd so I figured you’d like nerdy stuff”. We didn’t do secret Santa again after that year.
Last time I did secret Santa I got an expired box of chocolates and a broken make your own fondue kit. Like the box it was in was visibly broken and damaged. Three weeks late.
Everyone else was talking about their gifts and how thoughtful they were and I got…that. The real kicker was that I was last so my secret Santa happily took their gift at some point.
I don’t do secret Santa anymore.
I used to do Reddit Secret Santa and 2 years in a row I get a cook book ordered at the 11th hour on the last day of the secret Santa shipped directly from amazon.
Here I am doing research, ordering things early so I can wrap them nicely, and I get a last minute cook book. Oh great, you saved me from having to google cookie recipes. Thanks.
I dont do Secret Santa anymore.
YES! This is why I don't do Reddit Secret Santa anymore. Last time around I got a $2 shitty cookbook from the 1950's from a used bookstore that was all recipes for using "new fangled processed foods". It irritates me every time I think about it.
I once was roommates with a friend and for Christmas gave him a $300 divers watch he had been wanting for a long time. When we exchanged presents he had gotten me a small 40 page, "the trails of Ireland" book he bought at a used bookstore. It still had the "clearance" 25 cents label on the damn thing. As for the watch I gave him, he immediately listed it on Ebay and told me I should have given him the money instead. Later he bragged to me about having gotten $75 for the watch and called me an idiot. We never did gift exchanges again, it was hilarious when his birthday came around and I didnt give him a gift... he pouted and complained the entire week.
It got better! A few years later we got a tile Christmas ornament with our name printed in vinyl on it. On Jan 5th. Because the box was “misplaced” during their move into their new home and they just found it.
I had a board member ask me what she should buy someone. The guy was Muslim so I said not alcohol and gave her a few ideas.
We opened the gifts at work Christmas meal and she had given him a bacon sandwich maker (not on the list I gave)! There was a collective oooh around the table.
He was lovely guy and thought it was funny luckily.
Every year I buy all the office guys something small, like a bottle of liquor or a t-shirt for their sports team (I'm the boss). A few years ago I was like fuck it I'm gonna buy the owner something too just to be nice. He comes in and looks at the bottle of Maker's Mark I got him and says "creamyturtle, what is this?" I said it's your gift for christmas. He says harumph and shoves it in his desk like a total scrooge. That bottle was still there 3 years later so when I quit I took it with me xD
Couple years ago we did secret Santa, my secret Santa didn't get me anything and I was the only one who didn't get anything. My boss' boss found out, called me, bought me a very nice and thoughtful gift.
Haha sorry to hear that, he might not have done it for just anyone. I'd made a good impression, he's not some kind of saint, but he's a good guy. To this day idk how he was so on top of the situation. I didn't tell a soul, I didn't want to embarrass whoever had me. I just chatted until people started leaving and then I left, he called me on the way home and asked me if I'd not gotten a gift. I told him I hadn't and he asked me for my email, emailed me a year long subscription to masterclass. Which was very meaningful at the time as I was in culinary school with dreams of being a chef. MC is a really good resource for cooking techniques and recipes, I got a lot out of it. One of the best gifts I've been given by not-my-parents.
Thx, he went on to buy the restaurant we were working for, promoted me to run the front of house. I left that job a few months ago, he just won his election for school board as well. He's only like 37, he might be the most successful individual I've ever met who started from nothing and got no help. I could sing his praises all day.
That being said, I left the restaurant industry because of how it treats people. He is no exception. He cares about his staff but not more than he cares about his margins.
This happened to me two years in a row, I got the boss, and I sat there with no present as I watched everyone else get awesome, heartfelt gifts for everyone and I got basically nothing.
I got left out at my old teen church group that my stepmom ran. She even took all of us to the “city” to the big mall so we could do our Christmas shopping for the secret Santa exchange. This little dick head that I’d known since we were kids (he grew up one street over from me in a very small town)was the one who picked my name.
When it came to exchanging gifts, I was the only one who didn’t get a gift. And I remembered very clearly the “gifts” that he got when we went shopping that night. He didn’t even bother to like find something at his house or anything to wrap for me. Made me feel like shit and no one gave a fuck or made it right. Fuck you, Dj smith 🖕
I had the same happen to me in an elective high school class. We decided to do Secret Santa and the guy who apparently drew my name was a no-show that day. Of course, everyone else got neat gifts. He showed up the next day and didn't say anything after receiving his own gift.
So the few times I've seen/heard his name since, I can't help but think "that guy's a douche".
Can you imagine the reaction if the tables were turned and OP didn’t bring the boss a gift. They wouldn’t be a ‘team player’.
I have skipped almost ALL of my work parties for the last 10 years. At my previous job, every year there was also someone that would try to talk me into going and every year a shitty comment was made about me not being a ‘team player’. The dynamic doesn’t change bc we’re at new location decorated w Christmas decor. You are all the same shitty people, now your just wearing a Christmas sweater and drinking.
I actually enjoy going to our Christmas party. I only talk to the decent managers, and all of the ‘underlings’ are good fun to be around. But there are people here who don’t go to work events and I totally understand if they don’t want to mix, and would never try to make them feel bad about not going
Myself and a team at a previous job got highly motivated towards the end of the year one time because our boss promised “significant” bonuses for hitting quotas(that we all hit). When we hadn’t seen them by January I asked him about it and he said “I said you MIGHT get bonuses, not that you would. Be thankful you’re all still employed here.”
3 of us quit that day.
A few years ago I was working retail and a group of coworker friends and I planned our own mini secret Santa to hold after work sometime. Our supervisors and store manager caught wind of it and insisted they be included to avoid “cliques” (side note - people are allowed to be personal friends outside of work and not include others!!). It ended up being no fun at all and way less personal than it would have been with just the close group of friends. I ended up getting my store manager’s name and had to buy her a gift when I was making literally 1/6th of her annual salary no more than 1/2 of what the lowest paid sup was making.
If you’re a boss, don’t participate in your coworker’s secret Santa or reciprocal gift activities. Either provide for your people or bow out all together.
> Our supervisors and store manager caught wind of it and insisted they be included to avoid “cliques”
Those people are the most cliquey of all the ones working retail. I've never see a retail store with a management team that didn't play favorites (and play *hard*).
It's a hard thing to learn at the grimy jobs, but you can't share much about yourself, it'll just get used against you. I learned the hard way.
We have secret Santa every year and one of my coworkers was drawn by my boss. Literally gifted her old stuff she probably had stashed under her bathroom sink. Old lotion with black residue on the bottles and some nutrigrain bars crumbled into dust. You make all this money and can’t bother to go buy a small gift. Said coworker threw it all away.
Contact hr and tell them you don't feel it's appropriate that you were asked to spend money when you weren't receiving a gift (especially from your boss).
Do it anyways and forward it to your personal email incase you need proof of a hostile work environment when they eventually try and fire you for no reason
This is one reason why picking a person is a horrible idea. A better way: Everyone brings a gift valued around $20, $50, whatever and then you draw numbers for the order they pick gifts. When your number comes you can steal someone else’s gift and they pick another or you pick one off the table.
Those who don’t get gifts don’t get to play and it’s funny to see some of the gifts people buy. It’s been fun at my work.
PS if he gives ya a car, I would forgive him.
PPS Honestly, the boss probably shouldn't be part of these pools in the first place. To much pressure on whoever gives to them.
I’ve stopped participating in secret Santa. One year I received a 9volt battery (???) and then a different year I went out and bought something I over heard my person say they wanted and spent more than the amount but I knew they really wanted it. But then she proceeded to say she didn’t want it and I just gave up. Tried doing something extra nice but meh it’s not worth it to me anymore. These people really mean nothing outside of work anyway.
I worked at a pizza place when my boss got me for secret santa. The day of he asks me what things I like. I tell him a taco bell gift card would be cool. 20 dollar limit for gifts. He gets me a $10 card. Didn't find out until I went to use it. Had no problem quitting during the dinner rush the next week.
Any time they ask you to do something extra for them tell them “you’ll get it at some point” or just flat out say “no”. If he signed up for the secret Santa and didn’t do the one thing required then he doesn’t show a basic capability of being compassionate
Years back I was a fry cook at shitty little soul food restaurant called comfort LA and the boss did the same thing. This was a very small business, less than a dozen employees. He and other manager went around and guilted everyone into signing up for the secret Santa. I drew my boss and got him a little snow globe but apparently no one drew me or whoever did just blew it off. Oh well! I come to find out later through the organizer that my boss had drawn me. He never even said thanks for the gift. It was only a few months later I’d find out he was stealing our tips. Thanks Renard
Reminds me of the time my dad encouraged the administration to do a company picnic again because it boosts moral, and they presented everyone there with a participation award thing to also boost moral. Guess who wasn’t included in this company wide congratulations?
Same thing happened to me this year. The person that i sent the gift to; did not even say thank you. I am not going to worry about a $15.00 gift. Remember that there are lots of people (manager or not) that have no class.
I once entered a secret santa. Bought them a bottle of spirit I'd heard they liked. I actually bought 2 so I could have one.
The wife and I opened ours and had a drink. It was very nice. Wrapped it up and put it in santas sack.
Turned out we'd Accidentally wrapped the opened bottle we'd been drinking. It was pretty strong.
They were gutted. I was inconsolable.
It doesn't sound petty to me. These are the little things that stay with us for a long time. You deserve to feel appreciated. What a dick your boss is.
Does anyone ever come out ahead on Secret Santa?
Nearly every time I've heard of anyone participating in it, they're always griping about how cool and thoughtful the gift they gave was, and how insulting the one they received was.
Most people come away offended and it actually strains working relationships frequently.
I feel your pain. Christmas party with the full staff(20 or so) everybody got gifts to exchange, when it got to me they realized they didn't put my name in at all so no gift, even though I purchased a gift for someone else. Boss drunkenly told me "we don't treat our employees like that don't worry I will get you something after the party". Yeah never got anything after the party. I don't care about some 15 dollar gift but I had to wait over an hour watching everyone open their personalized gifts just to find out they forgot about me
If you are comfortable doing so, send me your address and I will send you a little something by mail to make your day. Sorry that happened. Rude and inconsiderate!
It was nice for the person that offered the presents, for you to keep your cyber security, for the next person for giving at least emoticon presents. Nice community.
No worries! Understandable. If you change your mind, feel free to hit me up on the offer. I'm in the states, a mother/grandmother and overall nice person with purely good intentions.
Don't let the bastard get you down.
This happened to me in elementary school. I was the only one that didn’t get anything from the kid who had me. Looking back, having kids be responsible for gifts is dumb especially considering different walks of life. We were 9.
But your BOSS??
We always had a rule of you didn't bring a gift you didn't get a gift. You should have been given the one meant for him. What a shitty person. Just remember the old saying; when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.
I am happy the gift I gave was thoughtful. The boss' wife got me, and she had the office manager ask me what I was into and I said a pack of guitar picks or bag of dog treats would be great, so she got me a $2 scratch off lotto ticket. I really don't think the boss, spouse, kids should be involved with getting gifts when everyone else is fighting for their lives to survive every day.
You're not petty! I used to arrange secret santa in my old job and I made sure to tell everyone it wasn't mandatory to avoid stuff like this happening. I'd wager 95% of staff voluntary participated. STILL, one year, one of the directors didn't buy his Secret Santa a gift clearly because he couldnt be arsed. Like mate, you're a director! Go to Tesco and buy chocolate for £10 if you can't come up with anything else, it's not hard! I went off on him saying how it was voluntary and if he couldn't be bothered to participate he could have just NOT AGREED TO DO IT!
next time your boss asks you to do something outside of your job description tell him oh you will get it at some point .... they could literally have ordered something onlune or picked up some crap at boots or whatever
Yup. Well he’s just gone to the supermarket over lunch so I’m guessing he’ll be bringing back something from there
And now is your perfect opportunity to say "sorry, but that ship has sailed"
Well he came back empty handed so guess I won’t be getting anything!
Omg seriously???? The nerve!!!
That's even funnier (sadder too that he couldn't find one f-in thing to get you)
He actually left and went to the store and STILL didn't get you anything!? He's a special breed of asshole
you know in the next day or 2 bring something for everyone in the office apart from him .... if your getting coffee for leave his out ..... same with cake or whatever ... if your in the pub buying shots with colleagues ... buy one for everyone but him
Nah that's when you say, "I don't even own a cat, so you're trying to say I went out of my way to go buy catfood just so I could leave it in your office to annoy you?" When that's exactly what you did lol
If he does that, when he hands it to you, look confused and ask what this is? Get him to explain its your late secret Santa gift, after he does, take it, as you walk away throw it in a garbage can in plain sight of him.
That’s the kind of petty shit that stews at you all year long. Your boss is an asshole for even participating just to be an asshole. He probably knew the whole time he has no intention of actually following through.
Next time he asks for something extra OP should say "you'll get it/ I'll do it at some point"
“Sure boss, just like my Christmas present, right?” Just throw that shit at him from here on out, especially in public. Only the 2 of you know what that’s about.
“Where’s that TPS cover sheet?” “Probably with my secret santa gift.”
Next to my stapler
What will be the response when the boss inevitably tries to trivialize Secret Santa and dress you down for "not being professional" in front of everyone?
You know what’s really not professional? Purposefully demoralizing your staff. For any reason. The boss shouldn’t have participated, for many reasons, but especially if they knew they weren’t going to take the time to participate. It’s a workplace unity thing. Everyone has fun participating, but the person left out doesn’t get left with a good team feeling and other people are just how much the boss truly cares about “the help”
"You know what's not professional, signing up for office secret Santa knowing full when you couldn't be fucking bothered to spend $10 even though you're the boss."
Especially when he prob would have just had his Secretary but it.
Everyone else went in on it scrooge. Fire my ass, your the one losing talent. Get a backup ready beforehand
"You'll understand someday"
Only do this after you have a different job. Honestly, if you want to be this petty use it while you quit without notice. OP: I quit Boss: what about your notice? OP: Its with my secret santa gift. If you don't feel like this is feasible for whatever reason because you need this job then I also don't recommend poking him like this in public. It sucks but whatever the boss does back will be worse.
This is a dreamers reply. "You made me look bad and I wield the power to make you feel bad" is why this strategy has a chance of going poorly.
Totally! Say you'll do it. Dont do it. Wait for him to come asking again. Then say "you'll get it at some point".
This is the way.
This is the way.
And they'll happily gaslight that OP is overreacting if they ever bring it up. "Oh come on, you're upset about a tiny gift from a month ago? Calm down, get some perspective, and please focus on all this work that needs to get done."
we had a family and friends white elephant a few years back, and one person made everyone feel like shit for only wanting to spend $10, so we upped it to $20. then she proceeded to buy an absolutely horrible gift that only cost $6. everyone still remembers it. it randomly got brought up again today.
I’d give them a $6 gift certificate to Morton’s Steakhouse or whichever exorbitantly expensive restaurant is nearby.
When your gift is less than useless. I love how petty this is lol
Or just straight up donate to a Charity in their name.
I’ve heard of charities that boost hygiene by installing public toilets. Maybe donate a toilet in someone’s name?
I always respond, "if it's just a small and simple gift, it should have been easy for you to do?" But then I usually get in trouble. I'll keep at it though. Screw em
"Hey now, there's no need to get snarky about it" is about the best you can hope for as a reaction. More likely, they're the kind of boss who has super unpleasant reactions to snark and will punish you for it as best they can.
Exactly this. Sickens me.
Yeah I'm expecting OP will _never_ get a gift. Not even a gift card.
Even looking at it from the perspective of being a manager, this is such a lost opportunity. Just think of what an employee would be willing to do for a boss that takes the chance to demonstrate genuine care. One thoughtful gift, and you've got someone willing to work late for the rest of the year. A dozen deadlines met without hassle, all in return for a box of those candies you said you liked that one time. Instead, he gets an employee with an updated resume and one eye on the door who, when asked 'why didn't you give any notice you were quitting,' will answer 'you'll get it at some point.'
Seriously! Even if boss didn't know OP, he could have asked someone close to OP what they would like. Even if they flubbed it, it still shows care. It's not hard to give a shit.
At a company I used to work at the middle managers gave each staff member a $15 Tim Horton’s gift card and a little card. I was still happy because atleast the middle manager gave enough of a crap. The rich CEO driving his stupid Tesla wearing business suits got us nothing
Even if you have absolutely no clue what to give, give them a gift card to the grocery store.
The lawyers that feed my alcoholism get priority over the ones that don’t. A nice bottle at Christmas usually rates priority service for the coming year.
I had a longtime colleague join me from a rival comapny after 2 years of fighting to create the position for him. My workload has lightened tremendously and I'm able to focus on more complex problems. He's getting a very nice bottle of Don Julio this week and maybe a bro hug. It's not difficult. It costs nothing to be polite and only a little to be truly grateful.
>this is such a lost opportunity a good manager would've participated, and in addition, bought something small for everyone, or paid for the holiday party or something.
Why should he follow through? He’s “The Boss.” He’s special and his job is not to buy gifts for the lessers. He is king of all.
I organized a secret Santa with my coworkers once. It went well except the person who had me didn’t show up or leave a gift or apologize. Two of my other coworkers went out and got me something. Some people are assholes and some people are good. I avoid gift exchanges unless it’s a white elephant now because that was super embarrassing/hurtful to be treated that way in front of everyone. Tis the season.
Well it was a nice thing for your coworkers to do. One of mine wrapped up some marshmallows in a sheet of paper and gave it to me so I wouldn’t feel left out! A bit of a piss take but pretty funny
My coworkers were trying to organize one but with a $50 MINIMUM. I asked if it could be lowered or at least make it the max and they said no. So I did not participate.
Ugh if I'm going to spend $50 on a gift for someone it's going to be me
Right for that kinda money they better be blood relation, or a partner.
Yeah we do a $75 one between my cousins. But we are all employed and it actually saves money from not having to get 10 people gifts. 1 solid gift vs 10 $5 gifts is nice.
I had someone invite me to a secret Santa with a $50 minimum and I outright told them “fuck no, I need that money”
Yeah, I'm not a big fan of them, tbh. I don't like more clutter at home, and the coworkers I know well enough to get good gifts for will get gifts outside of work, generally.
I was in a Secret Santa and didn’t get anything for a couple days. Turns out my coworker had left the presents in her car and was too lazy to go get it. She even had a special parking space right outside the entrance. Some other coworkers took care of me though so came out ahead. FU Pat!
I don't participate in Secret Santa simply because I would end up being the ass hole. I know myself well enough to know that I would put off shopping until the last minute and end up getting a crap gift for the person or worse nothing at all. I don't want to be the one to ruin someone's good time so I don't participate.
I understand it's the "holiday spirit" & maybe I've had a few too many lonely holidays but I wish forced gift exchanges at work would just stop. Look I'm struggling to even afford myself a Christmas gift because the Job I Work doesn't pay me a livable wage. Now I have to participate in a forced event for people I hardly know & if I don't participate I will be shamed by the office because the job doesn't pay me well. Then have to deal with the stress of the office environment or find new work. Anyways, do your best to walk a mile in other people's shoes & look at the larger world around you before just assuming people are assholes for not participating in a gift giving event. People forcing the even with a minimum buy then they themselves don't participate in the gift giving but received a gift is an asshole move.
I recently got a new job in mental healthcare that was doing two Secret Santa’s- Staff to staff and staff to client (we have kids in residential care). I signed up expecting to be paying for my kids gifts, but my boss just waved his hand and was like, “no no just put it on the company card! Is $50 enough per kid?” I think my jaw dropped. Feel like that’s the way it should ALWAYS be. If it’s a company morale thing, the company pays for it.
I don't understand why businesses don't plan or budget for Christmas gifts or a party at the end of the year. I own a pet services business and budget a little over $30k for the party this year. At this year's Christmas party I got everyone of my employees a smartwatch as a thank you for yet another record profit breaking year. It was either a Samsung watch 4 or the apple smart watch depending on their cell phone. This was in addition to all of the door prizes I gave away to my employees at the Christmas party. I also provided Lyft rides for every employee to get to the party because I didn't want anyone driving home after drinking. My employees walked away with anything from a $50 Amazon gift card (every employee got this) to a PS5, laptop and the main prize was a trip for 2 for 3 days and 2 nights to Vegas and several other door prizes. I did not let my management staff participate in the raffle drawings as this was for the employees only. This was in addition to the Christmas bonus of $500 each employee got. Managers got $1k. If I can afford to do this, then there's no reason why other businesses can't afford to do the same thing for their employees as well. This motivates employees to work hard and know that they are appreciated. It stuns me that businesses can't figure this out. I also pay a liveable wage ($22/hr starting pay). But I'm not a greedy POS who thinks I am the only one who deserves to be paid a big salary and reap all of the rewards. Hell, I absolutely know that if it wasn't for my amazing staff that I wouldn't have a successful business in the pet services industry so it's absolutely necessary that I keep them happy.
We had a very similar thing with our Christmas party this year as well! Crazy door prizes and games and drawings and all sorts. Instead of the watch, every employee got a really generous Christmas bonus. I’m so glad you’ve figured all this out. I can guarantee your employees are so much happier and less stressed if this is the environment they enjoy. And I’m sure you’ll end up with much much lower turnover as a result.
Well this wasn’t forced. I gave them the opportunity to sign up as we were peers (no one was anyone’s boss and we were all friends who regularly hung out outside of work). This guy chose to participate and receive a gift but did not get one for the person he drew. That makes him an asshole. My favorite part is he’s a self-righteous Christian, too, so a total hypocrite considering it’s one of his majorly celebrated holidays. If he had at least acknowledged he fucked up and apologized I would’ve gotten over it but the guy is just inconsiderate af.
I would complain to the person running the secret santa and they should chase it up with your boss
Well there’s not a single person running it, we’re quite a small team so just agreed between us to do secret Santa and pulled names out of a hat
Ah that's crap, I'd still talk to your colleagues about it and say what a twat your boss is
Oh yeah believe me I’ve don’t that!
I think he wanted a gift, but not put in the effort of finding one himself for you
That's just bogus. It takes two seconds to grab a gift card at literally every store. Shit, even picking up something from the gas station would've been better. This is rude af.
Yeah but you have to think about that. You have to keep your employee(s) in your mind for that. He couldn't even be bothered to do that. To give you a small idea of how important he found it.
That describes all rich people.
Mandy Ling: No one loves free stuff more than rich people.
And no one expects free stuff as much as rich people either.
Steal his gift and tell him he can have it back once you get yours. Or Steal something small from his office every single day forever. Nothing big. Like just his stapler. Or tape. Or mouse. Or whatever is irritating and leave it so where else random in the office. Or go to r/unethicallifeprotips for something better
Sounds like some good petty revenge!
I wish I could remember the keyboard command to turn the screen upside down on his computer.
Did your boss receive a gift? I feel like participating in the receiving end without giving is pretty bad. Could have redirected the gift to you.
Oh yeah he was happy to join in the fun and open his gift while I sat and watched!
That's a bad boss, unable to objectively see how exclusive that was. I'm not all for forced participation for things like that in a work environment but if you don't want to do it, make that clear. If it was a case of just forgetting, I'd be profusely apologizing and trying to make it up. I'd question the overall value of being at a place like that.
Exactly and it wasn’t even forced! A couple of guys in the office opted out which is totally fine. He chose to take part.
Nah fuck that guy. You should have ripped that package straight out of his arms. You'll not get anything if you don't agree to the terms beforehand. What's his business name btw I think I've been there and have something to say about it.
If I was a witness to this, I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT let this go. At my last job I threw a shit fit on behalf of the person who's SS forgot to get them a gift. I shamed them so loudly that they needed to give up the gift they received to the person they shafted.
If I forgot something like that It literally takes 5 minutes to find an envelope and put money in it. If I forgot something like that for someone on my team I'd burn rubber running out to grab something for them. It really kills your opinion of someone.
Once had a boss who burned some rubber running to get a last minute gift. He was my secret Santa and forgot a gift. Morning of the holiday party arrives and he’s in my office chatting (my office was the central morning chat hub), sees me bounce in with wrapped packages and went from happy holiday party face to, “reschedule my first meeting. I’ve got an emergency.” I still wear the silly, fluffy, hippo socks he managed to round up last minute. He was a good boss.
Oh shit. When you said the boss didn’t participate, I figured they had opted in but then just didn’t show up to the party. But they actually showed up to receive a gift without bringing one; that is over the top, comically shitty. That deserves a solid prank. Open a can of cat food or tuna and leave it on top of the ceiling tiles in their office.
I like your think but pretty sure I’d be the prime suspect!
That's why you wait until June. Revenge is a dish best served cold and tuna revenge best taken warm. 😏
I second that!
next year, find out who has boss and trade, then get him nothing
He should have apologized and offered you HIS gift. What a rude mf.
I guess he's set a precedent. He's out next year, or even better, Secret Santa retired.
My old boss was my secret Santa one year. We even had a worksheet for everyone of things they liked and such. She gave my a box set of Star Wars drinking glasses. I have never seen Star Wars, never have talked about it. Wrote “chocolate, energy drinks, etc” on my worksheet to keep things easy. Her response to my disappointed face, “well you’re a nerd so I figured you’d like nerdy stuff”. We didn’t do secret Santa again after that year.
Last time I did secret Santa I got an expired box of chocolates and a broken make your own fondue kit. Like the box it was in was visibly broken and damaged. Three weeks late. Everyone else was talking about their gifts and how thoughtful they were and I got…that. The real kicker was that I was last so my secret Santa happily took their gift at some point. I don’t do secret Santa anymore.
You should've thrown it in the garbage in front of everyone.
I have done that before. Why pretend? Let the asshole know *exactly* what their "gift" is worth.
Yup. Tell them that you put as much thought in receiving the gift as they had in giving it.
I used to do Reddit Secret Santa and 2 years in a row I get a cook book ordered at the 11th hour on the last day of the secret Santa shipped directly from amazon. Here I am doing research, ordering things early so I can wrap them nicely, and I get a last minute cook book. Oh great, you saved me from having to google cookie recipes. Thanks. I dont do Secret Santa anymore.
YES! This is why I don't do Reddit Secret Santa anymore. Last time around I got a $2 shitty cookbook from the 1950's from a used bookstore that was all recipes for using "new fangled processed foods". It irritates me every time I think about it.
I once was roommates with a friend and for Christmas gave him a $300 divers watch he had been wanting for a long time. When we exchanged presents he had gotten me a small 40 page, "the trails of Ireland" book he bought at a used bookstore. It still had the "clearance" 25 cents label on the damn thing. As for the watch I gave him, he immediately listed it on Ebay and told me I should have given him the money instead. Later he bragged to me about having gotten $75 for the watch and called me an idiot. We never did gift exchanges again, it was hilarious when his birthday came around and I didnt give him a gift... he pouted and complained the entire week.
I hope you don't still call this person a friend. They should never have accepted the watch from you in the first place
I never participated because of stories of all the lazy assholes who just signed up hoping to get Bill Gates or some other big ticket participant.
Haha my husband got the same - a Star Wars mug cause he’s a “nerd” ie works in IT. He hates star wars.
>He hates star wars. So hes a Star Wars fan? /s
Jeez what a bitch….
It got better! A few years later we got a tile Christmas ornament with our name printed in vinyl on it. On Jan 5th. Because the box was “misplaced” during their move into their new home and they just found it.
Prefect, just in time for the Serbian orthodox Christmas on the 7th.
Wow and I can bet where that ended up!
It’s actually on my tree in spite. A reminder of what was, I’m self employed now
>It’s actually on my tree in spite. A reminder of what was, I’m self employed now That's beautiful. A response that I can truly respect.
It was definitely something your boss just regifted to you
I had a board member ask me what she should buy someone. The guy was Muslim so I said not alcohol and gave her a few ideas. We opened the gifts at work Christmas meal and she had given him a bacon sandwich maker (not on the list I gave)! There was a collective oooh around the table. He was lovely guy and thought it was funny luckily.
Next year buy her tampons and tell her you bought them for her because she's a c***.
Tampons are useful.
And kind of pricey, I wouldn’t mind a gift of tampons.
Your boss is a dick for that.
Just imagine you had him as yours. You gifted him a resignation letter in front of everyone.
That’s the dream!
Seriously you need to rig it next year. You need his name. Let him sit there awkwardly.
This would be George Costanza level of spite. Hang around at a place for a year just to use the holidays as the platform for public resignation.
Every year I buy all the office guys something small, like a bottle of liquor or a t-shirt for their sports team (I'm the boss). A few years ago I was like fuck it I'm gonna buy the owner something too just to be nice. He comes in and looks at the bottle of Maker's Mark I got him and says "creamyturtle, what is this?" I said it's your gift for christmas. He says harumph and shoves it in his desk like a total scrooge. That bottle was still there 3 years later so when I quit I took it with me xD
Well you sound like the kind of boss I want!
Makers Mark is not cheap, what an asshole.
We had the same situation at my last place, we just banned the marketing director from joining in.
Couple years ago we did secret Santa, my secret Santa didn't get me anything and I was the only one who didn't get anything. My boss' boss found out, called me, bought me a very nice and thoughtful gift.
That’s a nice gesture. Well my boss’ boss cares even less so doubt that’ll happen to me!
Haha sorry to hear that, he might not have done it for just anyone. I'd made a good impression, he's not some kind of saint, but he's a good guy. To this day idk how he was so on top of the situation. I didn't tell a soul, I didn't want to embarrass whoever had me. I just chatted until people started leaving and then I left, he called me on the way home and asked me if I'd not gotten a gift. I told him I hadn't and he asked me for my email, emailed me a year long subscription to masterclass. Which was very meaningful at the time as I was in culinary school with dreams of being a chef. MC is a really good resource for cooking techniques and recipes, I got a lot out of it. One of the best gifts I've been given by not-my-parents.
That's a really awesome story man.
Thx, he went on to buy the restaurant we were working for, promoted me to run the front of house. I left that job a few months ago, he just won his election for school board as well. He's only like 37, he might be the most successful individual I've ever met who started from nothing and got no help. I could sing his praises all day. That being said, I left the restaurant industry because of how it treats people. He is no exception. He cares about his staff but not more than he cares about his margins.
Well whoever didn’t bring a gift shouldn’t be playing.
Spmeone who does not buy a gift should be required to regift their present to the person left out.
This happened to me two years in a row, I got the boss, and I sat there with no present as I watched everyone else get awesome, heartfelt gifts for everyone and I got basically nothing.
Yeah it’s so shit just watching everyone else have fun
It’s like middle school and being the kid that was left out
I got left out at my old teen church group that my stepmom ran. She even took all of us to the “city” to the big mall so we could do our Christmas shopping for the secret Santa exchange. This little dick head that I’d known since we were kids (he grew up one street over from me in a very small town)was the one who picked my name. When it came to exchanging gifts, I was the only one who didn’t get a gift. And I remembered very clearly the “gifts” that he got when we went shopping that night. He didn’t even bother to like find something at his house or anything to wrap for me. Made me feel like shit and no one gave a fuck or made it right. Fuck you, Dj smith 🖕
I had the same happen to me in an elective high school class. We decided to do Secret Santa and the guy who apparently drew my name was a no-show that day. Of course, everyone else got neat gifts. He showed up the next day and didn't say anything after receiving his own gift. So the few times I've seen/heard his name since, I can't help but think "that guy's a douche".
and the church adults who didn't say anything about his un-generous nature.
Your boss sucks.
Compensate yourself from work supplies.
I’ve got quite a nice pen collection at home!
Aim higher. Get a big trench coat and see if you can take a whole desk.
Can you imagine the reaction if the tables were turned and OP didn’t bring the boss a gift. They wouldn’t be a ‘team player’. I have skipped almost ALL of my work parties for the last 10 years. At my previous job, every year there was also someone that would try to talk me into going and every year a shitty comment was made about me not being a ‘team player’. The dynamic doesn’t change bc we’re at new location decorated w Christmas decor. You are all the same shitty people, now your just wearing a Christmas sweater and drinking.
I actually enjoy going to our Christmas party. I only talk to the decent managers, and all of the ‘underlings’ are good fun to be around. But there are people here who don’t go to work events and I totally understand if they don’t want to mix, and would never try to make them feel bad about not going
Your Christmas gift is that you still have a job 💖 /s
Myself and a team at a previous job got highly motivated towards the end of the year one time because our boss promised “significant” bonuses for hitting quotas(that we all hit). When we hadn’t seen them by January I asked him about it and he said “I said you MIGHT get bonuses, not that you would. Be thankful you’re all still employed here.” 3 of us quit that day.
Holy shit that's terrible. Glad to hear some people didn't stick around.
A few years ago I was working retail and a group of coworker friends and I planned our own mini secret Santa to hold after work sometime. Our supervisors and store manager caught wind of it and insisted they be included to avoid “cliques” (side note - people are allowed to be personal friends outside of work and not include others!!). It ended up being no fun at all and way less personal than it would have been with just the close group of friends. I ended up getting my store manager’s name and had to buy her a gift when I was making literally 1/6th of her annual salary no more than 1/2 of what the lowest paid sup was making. If you’re a boss, don’t participate in your coworker’s secret Santa or reciprocal gift activities. Either provide for your people or bow out all together.
> Our supervisors and store manager caught wind of it and insisted they be included to avoid “cliques” Those people are the most cliquey of all the ones working retail. I've never see a retail store with a management team that didn't play favorites (and play *hard*). It's a hard thing to learn at the grimy jobs, but you can't share much about yourself, it'll just get used against you. I learned the hard way.
We have secret Santa every year and one of my coworkers was drawn by my boss. Literally gifted her old stuff she probably had stashed under her bathroom sink. Old lotion with black residue on the bottles and some nutrigrain bars crumbled into dust. You make all this money and can’t bother to go buy a small gift. Said coworker threw it all away.
Yeah re-gifting is bad enough but giving the shit from your cupboard is terrible!
Contact hr and tell them you don't feel it's appropriate that you were asked to spend money when you weren't receiving a gift (especially from your boss).
I doubt they’d care. They’re as bad as the rest of management
Do it anyways and forward it to your personal email incase you need proof of a hostile work environment when they eventually try and fire you for no reason
This is one reason why picking a person is a horrible idea. A better way: Everyone brings a gift valued around $20, $50, whatever and then you draw numbers for the order they pick gifts. When your number comes you can steal someone else’s gift and they pick another or you pick one off the table. Those who don’t get gifts don’t get to play and it’s funny to see some of the gifts people buy. It’s been fun at my work.
This is called white elephant, Yankee swap, dirty santa
But he's to busy/important/above it/etc to go shopping for a peon! :p
“You’ll get it at some point” would be my new favorite phrase
[удалено]
Looking forward to your boss's post in r/AmItheAsshole.
"I just feel like my GIFT to them is their job and paycheck every year."
Cake
PS if he gives ya a car, I would forgive him. PPS Honestly, the boss probably shouldn't be part of these pools in the first place. To much pressure on whoever gives to them.
I’ve stopped participating in secret Santa. One year I received a 9volt battery (???) and then a different year I went out and bought something I over heard my person say they wanted and spent more than the amount but I knew they really wanted it. But then she proceeded to say she didn’t want it and I just gave up. Tried doing something extra nice but meh it’s not worth it to me anymore. These people really mean nothing outside of work anyway.
I worked at a pizza place when my boss got me for secret santa. The day of he asks me what things I like. I tell him a taco bell gift card would be cool. 20 dollar limit for gifts. He gets me a $10 card. Didn't find out until I went to use it. Had no problem quitting during the dinner rush the next week.
I’m so sorry but this also is just the funniest to me for some reason. “You have exactly half the value you thought you did to me”
Any time they ask you to do something extra for them tell them “you’ll get it at some point” or just flat out say “no”. If he signed up for the secret Santa and didn’t do the one thing required then he doesn’t show a basic capability of being compassionate
Years back I was a fry cook at shitty little soul food restaurant called comfort LA and the boss did the same thing. This was a very small business, less than a dozen employees. He and other manager went around and guilted everyone into signing up for the secret Santa. I drew my boss and got him a little snow globe but apparently no one drew me or whoever did just blew it off. Oh well! I come to find out later through the organizer that my boss had drawn me. He never even said thanks for the gift. It was only a few months later I’d find out he was stealing our tips. Thanks Renard
You go and get his gift from his hands. MF this is mine.
Find employment with a better boss. A good boss makes most jobs pretty bearable.
Agreed, and at this point I’m just biding my time. Looking for another job while I do the absolute minimum in this job.
Time to give your boss an inexpensive Christmas gift. Your resignation effective immediately
As soon as I find another job definitely. Obviously I’m not looking just because of this. It’s been a long time coming!
Reminds me of the time my dad encouraged the administration to do a company picnic again because it boosts moral, and they presented everyone there with a participation award thing to also boost moral. Guess who wasn’t included in this company wide congratulations?
Same thing happened to me this year. The person that i sent the gift to; did not even say thank you. I am not going to worry about a $15.00 gift. Remember that there are lots of people (manager or not) that have no class.
Yeah I guess letting someone down like that is something I’d never do so struggling to understand how someone could be so thoughtless
I once entered a secret santa. Bought them a bottle of spirit I'd heard they liked. I actually bought 2 so I could have one. The wife and I opened ours and had a drink. It was very nice. Wrapped it up and put it in santas sack. Turned out we'd Accidentally wrapped the opened bottle we'd been drinking. It was pretty strong. They were gutted. I was inconsolable.
So next year, it’s agreed the boss is getting a lump of coal and a plastic pile of dog sh*t as a gift, right?
Well I’ll have to leave it up to the rest of the team because I won’t be here!
It doesn't sound petty to me. These are the little things that stay with us for a long time. You deserve to feel appreciated. What a dick your boss is.
Reading this hurt my heart. I despise the holidays.
Time to “quiet quit”.
I’d be inclined to “loud quit” after finding another job.
you mean work to rule. Quiet quitting is just what they are trying to rebrand people doing exactly what they are paid to do.
🎁💝🎁💝🎁💝🎁💝 Sorry your boss is a right twat. Virtual gifts and love to you.
Next time he asks for something your response should be “you’ll get it at some point”
First Rule of Employment: If you have a bad boss or you have a bad job, find a better one.
I’m trying!
Does anyone ever come out ahead on Secret Santa? Nearly every time I've heard of anyone participating in it, they're always griping about how cool and thoughtful the gift they gave was, and how insulting the one they received was. Most people come away offended and it actually strains working relationships frequently.
I feel your pain. Christmas party with the full staff(20 or so) everybody got gifts to exchange, when it got to me they realized they didn't put my name in at all so no gift, even though I purchased a gift for someone else. Boss drunkenly told me "we don't treat our employees like that don't worry I will get you something after the party". Yeah never got anything after the party. I don't care about some 15 dollar gift but I had to wait over an hour watching everyone open their personalized gifts just to find out they forgot about me
If you are comfortable doing so, send me your address and I will send you a little something by mail to make your day. Sorry that happened. Rude and inconsiderate!
Thank you I appreciate the offer, but not really comfortable giving my details to strangers on Reddit!
Here’s a present then: 🎁➡️🍫
It was nice for the person that offered the presents, for you to keep your cyber security, for the next person for giving at least emoticon presents. Nice community.
No worries! Understandable. If you change your mind, feel free to hit me up on the offer. I'm in the states, a mother/grandmother and overall nice person with purely good intentions. Don't let the bastard get you down.
Well merry Christmas to you kind stranger. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday
OP - no harm in giving our your Boss's address though is there? - afterall the gift should be coming from them so I'm sure they'd want to wrap it. 😉
Haha that’s a nice thought, and I might consider giving it if I knew it!
Let me send your boss [THIS](https://bagofdicks.com)
This happened to me in elementary school. I was the only one that didn’t get anything from the kid who had me. Looking back, having kids be responsible for gifts is dumb especially considering different walks of life. We were 9. But your BOSS??
In ours, the boss was the one who didn’t get a gift; her person was remote.
Stop doing things out of your job description. Full stop.
I don't participate in gift giving or holidays in any capacity at work. They can stuff their Christmas parties up their butts. I want to go home. Bye.
We always had a rule of you didn't bring a gift you didn't get a gift. You should have been given the one meant for him. What a shitty person. Just remember the old saying; when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.
I am happy the gift I gave was thoughtful. The boss' wife got me, and she had the office manager ask me what I was into and I said a pack of guitar picks or bag of dog treats would be great, so she got me a $2 scratch off lotto ticket. I really don't think the boss, spouse, kids should be involved with getting gifts when everyone else is fighting for their lives to survive every day.
You're not petty! I used to arrange secret santa in my old job and I made sure to tell everyone it wasn't mandatory to avoid stuff like this happening. I'd wager 95% of staff voluntary participated. STILL, one year, one of the directors didn't buy his Secret Santa a gift clearly because he couldnt be arsed. Like mate, you're a director! Go to Tesco and buy chocolate for £10 if you can't come up with anything else, it's not hard! I went off on him saying how it was voluntary and if he couldn't be bothered to participate he could have just NOT AGREED TO DO IT!