Fall comes and I know I shouldn’t be thinking of Christmas quite yet, but as the weather cools I just can’t help myself. I know Cori has already made Christmas pajama pants so I’m joining in the holiday mood. I love gift giving and I have not only the perfect suggestion to get you into the Christmas spirit and raise morale in the workplace or at home, but to keep it going all year-long.
My suggestion is to start a Secret Santa gift exchange group, but have it go all year-long. I am involved in this at work but you can do it anywhere, with your family, school friends, neighbors, etc. At my work we begin by filling out a simple information sheet. It includes birthday, favorite treats, colors, sports teams, restaurants, shirt sizes, needs, wants, etc. We then use this info sheet to draw from at the beginning of the year to find out our secret person. All year we try to do small things for this secret person without getting caught. Birthdays, special events, bad days, just because days, holidays and Christmas are all remembered.
There is nothing like showing up to work and having a note and a treat sitting for you at your desk. It’s even more exciting to try to pick up things your person will love, leave it without getting caught, and then see their reaction when they were not expecting a surprise.
Ideas for Secret Santa Gifts all Year
- Small flower bouquet on Valentine’s Day
- Favorite candy bar
- Decorate a desk with balloons, flowers or snowflakes for the specific season
- A kind and encouraging note
- Small holiday decorations for desk or home
- Home-made goodies
- Joke calendar
- $10 Bill
- Gift card to favorite restaurant or store for birthday gift
- Diapers to welcome new baby
- Pajama pants for upcoming surgery
- Ball cap of favorite sports team
- Netflix code
- Good book for a rainy day
Of course this sounds expensive, though it doesn’t have to be, and a little tedious. I am here to testify that this activity has been such a fun way to raise the morale in our office, create friendships, get to know co-workers, and celebrate successes. I know that culture in the work place is extremely important. Culture is being talked about and researched extensively these days. This is a proven fun and energetic activity to strengthen the culture in an office as well as keep up with the Christmas spirit. Give it a try and let me know what you do in your home, neighborhood or office that brings you joy all year-long!
