'Worst Secret Santa ever!': Boss "gifts" employees a Febreeze plug-in, mismatched pens, and a used gift card for office Secret Santa

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 25, 2024 2:00 PM EST

When a company decides to organize a Secret Santa gift exchange, it seldom amounts to the team bonding and warm company culture aesthetic of the intent. That's because people are already scrambling to get real gifts for their significant others and family members in the stressful weeks leading up to the holidays. The truth of the matter is that nobody cares about their coworkers so much that they are going to put in that same level of effort and creativity into their office Secret Santa gifts. 

Unfortunately for this Redditor, this team was forced to undergo the whole event yet again. Now, one would assume that the person who really wanted to project the facade of coworkers caring for one another would be the guy in charge. Well, when the gift exchange finally occurred, it became quite clear that the person who cared about Secret Santa the least was said boss, and it really showed.

He wound up purchasing this Redditor a combination of a used Febreeze plug-in (was he trying to send a message with that one?), used mismatched pens (he could have at least had them match!), and a used Starbucks gift card (which could realistically amount to the price of one drink). What kind of example does this even set, dude?

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from folks in the comments section. For more, check out this post about an employee who caught his coworker stealing credit.

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    Cheezburger Image 10446160384
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)
  • 02
    Worst secret Santa ever Today at work we revealed who our secret Santa was. My secret Santa gift left me speechless.
    via sammas12-
  • 03
    Two weeks ago we decided to go a secret Santa exchange within our department. A total of approximately 20 people. We set the $$ limit to 25 and we were to reveal today.
    via sammas12-
  • 04
    It was time to give our gifts, so we did. At this point, it was time for me to receive mine. On my list I listed what I liked like fuzzy socks, pens, card games etc.
    via sammas12-
  • 05
    Because we work with each other majority of the time, the gifts given were either personal or something they really really like or sentimental.
    via sammas12-
  • 06
    My gift literally left me speechless... this man 'hid' small gifts BEHIND my monitors so I never knew they were there.
    via sammas12-
  • 07
    When he revealed them to me today he 'hid' a fabreeze plug in refill.. just 1 out of the case... USED MISMATCHED PENS FROM HIS DESK anddddd a used Starbucks gift card with a balance of 6.87 cents.
    via sammas12-
  • 08
    At that time all I could do is say thanks and go back to my desk. I grabbed his 'gifts' and gave them back and went about my day.
    via sammas12-
  • 09
    Side note, yesterday we had a company wide white elephant exchange and for that he bought a charcuterie board with two linen napkins.
    via sammas12-
  • 10
    sammas12- OP. This was an optional activity, he could've opted out of it if he didn't want to participate. He was definitely not forced to participate.
    via sammas12-
  • 11
    A couple coworkers mentioned he did it on purpose because I put up a piece of paper to where he can't see me from his desk (which is right next to mine)
    via sammas12-
  • 12
    and he claims that I'm cutting him off from the world because no one can 'see' him.
    via sammas12-
  • 13
    FutilityWritten P... That is awful! At my work, we all each decide if we are opting in or not, this guy should not have agreed. I'm sure he got something nice from someone!
    via sammas12-
  • 14
    Inky_sheets 3d ago The worst secret Santa gift I received was cheese that had been left to sit by a radiator in another office for a couple of days. I was speechless and annoyed! I no longer take part in it since then.
    via sammas12-
  • 15
    That guy honestly sounds like a t I, I hope you can treat yourself to something nice instead.
    via sammas12-
  • 16
    Comcernedthro... I once got some coke bottle thick lense, prescription type reading glasses from Poundland as my secret Santa gift from a co worker,
    via sammas12-
  • 17
    let's call her Kelly. Typical mean girl who kept that high school b mentality.... I don't wear glasses-Her rationale was that I was nearing my 40s so would need some old people. accessories.
    via sammas12-
  • 18
    Being petty and prone to holding grudges, I waited for the next Christmas and proudly gifted her with a pregnant nanny goat.
    via sammas12-
  • 19
    I'd sponsored a Namibian villagers goat in her name for a year. I was allowed to name it and they sent a framed photo of it stood happily in it's little hut next to it's new owners.
    via sammas12-
  • 20
    It was especially delicious revenge as she was one of those people who didn't agree with charity- she'd forcefully inform you of her views if you even slightly strayed on to the subject in
    via sammas12-
  • 21
    conversation...because, get this... she thought people who are poor or living in a developing country didn't need help, they were just lazy and chose to take charity because it's easier than working. (She was a d head)
    via sammas12-
  • 22
    I named that little nanny goat Kelly without a shred of guilt. The wrapped up ownership certificate and the goaties picture were all emblazoned with their shared name. Kelly Goat
    via sammas12-

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christmas boss workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work Secret Santa reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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