Green & Black’s 6 Rules of Secret Santa Etiquette
According to Etiquette and Protocol Expert William Hanson, “Secret Santa has well and truly infiltrated UK shores and offices up and down the land as more and more people partake in this American custom.
“But as with everything, danger lurks around the corner and there are some simple rules that should be considered. To ensure your Secret Santa doesn’t turn sour give a great gift this year like chocolate, but make sure it is of the highest quality, for a richer intense flavour.”
James Holloman, Green & Black’s Business Leader, says, “As the fastest selling premium gifting brand in the market, Christmas is a big time for Green & Black’s. From our Tasting and Ultimate Collections to our Classic Miniatures Collection, Green & Black’s has the perfect gift for your Secret Santa.”
Here are the Green & Black’s 6 rules of Secret Santa etiquette:
1. If you are in charge of organising the Secret Santa, it is a good idea to place a threshold on the amount of money each giver can spend. Five pounds is the usual amount in most UK offices, but this can vary.
2. When devising who gives to who, try to take into account any office rivalries to ensure the two colleagues who dislike each other are not paired up – tis the season to be jolly remember! Also consider whether everyone’s recipient knows each other. They do not have to be bosom pals, but a basic awareness of who they are will always help.
3. Be careful when buying humourous gifts. Is it really going to be funny? Will the receiver be laughing as much as you will be? If you do know the person’s sense of humour well then by all means go for it. The British Royal Family will often give each other ‘joke’ presents, as well as normal ones, and a baby grow and rattle could be the presents of this year.
4. Remember with Secret Santa, your identity is now often revealed at the end of the process, so choose your gift wisely or it may come back to bite you in 2013!
5. Secret Santa gifts are usually distributed in public and so tasteless or offensive gifts are best avoided.
6. The best present to give is always chocolate but as people’s palates continue to evolve, ensure whatever chocolate you opt to bring is of the highest quality for a richer more intense flavour, like Green & Black’s Classic Miniature Collection.
Let us know your biggest Secret Santa faux pas by commenting below or tweeting us @FemaleFirst_UK
Cara Mason @cara_mason