15+ Secret Santa gifts that left people befuddled: 'I brought 2 Xbox games... the gift I got was bubble wrap'

Have you ever gotten something you really wanted in a Secret Santa exchange? No? Me either… and yet still, people insist on having these events every year. 

Secret Santas, White Elephants, and Pollyanas are all types of secret gift exchanges that happen during the holiday season. The only problem is that they don't usually have the best results. Oftentimes, you're given a gifting minimum and maximum. But unless the person who pulls your name knows you well, you're probably just going to get some random junk. For example, you might end up with some expired cookies, or some bubble bath when you only have a shower, or a shirt that's 3 sizes too big. It often ends up regifted, or even just given back for next year's Secret Santa exchange!

I think these things have fallen out of fashion a bit, probably because you can buy very highly customizable stuff online. Giving someone a generic gift just because is a bit wasteful. And in today's day and age, who has money to waste on gifts that won't be appreciated anyway? 

Not to mention that some people will take the exchange seriously, putting thought and effort into their present choices, while others just whiff on the whole thing and give joke presents. Like, is a bottle of car cleaner really a hilarious joke, or are you just cleaning out your garage and feeling lazy? 

Some people were kind enough to share the wild and crazy "gifts" they got in their own gift exchanges. I mean, does bubble wrap count as a gift? I think not. But that's not even the worst thing someone received from a coworker or friend, as you can read all about down below.  

Author image for Remy Millisky Remy Millisky
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  • 01
    Tried to buy a secret santa exactly what they wanted, but alas my dreams are shattered
    via u/Hetero_Sapian

    It was supposed to be some pretty glasses for their partner's mom, but they didn't survive the shipping journey! The business is totally sold out, too… Better luck in the new year!

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  • 02

    $25 it is!

    My work secret Santa has a price minimum instead of a maximum PLEASE REMEMBER SECRET SANTA IS TOMORROW 12/19/2023. MINIMUM IS $25.00. LUNCH WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
    via u/TheCopperQuill
  • 03

    Can you guess what that is?

    White elephant gift.. what does it mean O_o
    via u/digicalist

    3…2…1…

    It's a crab! How strange, especially for an event with a $100 minimum budget. 

  • 04

    One shoe and one matching bottle stopper...I mean I guess

    I (30M) participated in Secret Santa at work, asked for sport equipment, got this instead. Coworker came up to me after and said "I thought it was funny."
    via u/gonehalohunting
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  • 05

    They even got the Walmart brand pickles as an extra diss

    My gift from secret santa Great Value 0. Dill Pickle Spears FLOZ (1 PT 8 FL OZ) 710mL I'm allergic. Yes they knew.
    via u/goomygirl123
  • 06
    Secret Santa at school, $10 minimum + I specifically asked for no candy HEADS CHERRY CERISE Chup
    via u/UnderCat3000
  • 07
    Went to Target and bought the pink and green Joycons for a white elephant. The recipient that opened my gift got this instead.. UV Phase can't believe you actually returned it LOL you just got Pranked with 1 7077 #ILY Bro
    via u/[deleted]
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  • 08

    Crazy that this exists in the first place

    This gift my little sister received in a £10 school Secret Santa Jay nothing for the person who has everything Instrucarefully open the pack. step 1: step 2: Experience nothing. Contents: The sound of one hand clapping; the hole in the doughnut; the thing that goes bump in the dark; the sound of a tree falling in the forest when no one is there to hear i incident that no-one talks about; the bashful achievement. This p If s it; the happens, return for a full refund. ct is quaranteed to do absolu
    via u/abradley121
  • 09

    Oops!

    Amazon spoiled my Secret Santa GARMIN Amazon.com A gift from Your Secret Santa Tim was delivered Clear
    via u/ThePunksLuckyDay
  • 10

    A box of questions... with no questions... which actually does raise at least one question

    This is game I was gifted roughly 8 years that I just decided to open back up. I thought this was worthy of my first post on this subreddit. Toe Avessame Ldventurous Ony THE GAME CAMP BUNK BOX OF QUESTIONS THE GAME CAMP BUNK MSA OF QUESTIONS
    via u/VitalPlane
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  • 11

    Your gift was too expensive, but theirs was too cheap

    I brought 2 xbox games to a white elephant gift exchange and the gift I got was bubble wrap
    via u/[deleted]

    Still, bubble wrap is such a terrible gift for anyone older than 18 months, and they should feel ashamed of themselves! 

  • 12

    What does this even... mean?

    Pollyanna positivity is definitely mildly infuriating If pigs can fly so can you. Think Positive
    via u/[deleted]

    Pigs can't fly, and neither can we… so think positive? Beats me!

  • 13
    Had Secret Santa at school, I got this! And guess what, it contains traces of peanuts, something I'm deathly allergic to! Yayyyy Nestle SMARTIES Tree decorations 6x SMARTIES BOO
    via u/Negalugh
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  • 14
    Ordered something from Amazon to give my coworker for Secret Santa tomorrow. It was delivered, but that's not my house... Your package has been delivered! How was your delivery? It was great Not so great
    via u/ravemama13
  • 15
    Everyone at work got amazing heart felt gifts for secret Santa and I got a bottle of car detailer as a joke. Bu Waxing Enhances Gloss etween Wa Ideal For Fast Touch-u Meguiar's QUIK Mist & Wipe DETAILER 473 ml Net 1 pt 16 fl oz
    via u/PennyLaneTheBeagle
  • 16
    Coworker bought me a box of chocolates for Christmas - one missing and the rest were mouldy Do you think this was intentional !?
    via u/umbrellasplash

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