Work and Kris Kindle

Corvo

Does anyone else's work place do this? We do it annually and I despise the bloody thing. Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate Christmas, but I don't want to pretend I actually like most of the people I work with whom I wouldn't socialise with on a good day, never mind after a long year.

It's €10 per head and while the amount does not matter, it's just the principal.

Am I just being a mangey grinch? Or should I just grit my teeth and pay up? What makes it worse is that it is very difficult to get out of.

Saipanne

Christ, just buy them a book. It's nothing.

AnonoBoy

Nothing says I hate this gift-giving concept like a 2nd hand DVD of a series of Friends.

So whatever you do, don't buy that for someone.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Yes, we always had one.
Yes, just suck it up. I never enjoyed them but it's Christmas!
Yes, just go with the flow.

AnonoBoy

Cayden Unkempt Pie wrote: »

Yes, we always had one.
Yes, just suck it up. I never enjoyed them but it's Christmas!
Yes, just go with the flow.

Are you suggesting he buys tampons as presents?

Shenshen

In our office, you have to opt in if you want to take part.

Not sure how well it would go down if everybody was froced to play along... I kind of like it so I always sign up.

Corvo

Shenshen wrote: »

In our office, you have to opt in if you want to take part.

Not sure how well it would go down if everybody was froced to play along... I kind of like it so I always sign up.

Which is the way I would prefer it. I don't like the fact you are ostracised for telling them to shove it up their hole.

Stheno

Corvo wrote: »

Which is the way I would prefer it. I don't like the fact you are ostracised for telling them to shove it up their hole.

In my place they ignore you refusing and assign you someone anyway

cloud493

We buy each other cigarettes in my work. Since none of us know what anyone else likes.

anncoates

Corvo wrote: »

It's €10 per head and while the amount does not matter, it's just the principal.

Maybe just spend the interest instead?

My workplace do KK but it's optional. If you don't want to join in, you don't have to.

kylith

I have two KKs this year, and one of them is blind - i.e. all the presents get put in a bag and everyone does a lucky dip, so not only do I have to come up with something, it has to be unisex and good for ages 19-60. Tons of fun.

recyclops

we do it in the team.

while its just a bit of fun and i get on with it some genius introduced a new rule. We have to buy gifts beginning with the same initial as the gift recipient

just F*** OFF

anncoates

Am i the only horrible fcuker that has often just used a KK present that I got the year before (and threw into the desk drawer unopened) for the current one?

AnonoBoy

Oooohh - I got another idea. 6 pack of Tuborg and a few tubes of Toobz crisps.

Classy!

Corvo

anncoates wrote: »

Am i the only horrible fcuker that has often just used a KK present that I got the year before (and threw into the desk drawer unopened) for the current one?

That's certainly a new one and I will keep it in mind if I can't get out of this years.

Even the email pissed me off, with its crappy Santa on it.

Ok, I admit. I am a grinch.

Jen Pigs Fly

anncoates wrote: »

Am i the only horrible fcuker that has often just used a KK present that I got the year before (and threw into the desk drawer unopened) for the current one?

Be awkward if the person who gave the present to you last year was the person you got to give the gift this year.
Try explaining that one in the canteen

anncoates

xxxJennyxxx wrote: »

Be awkward if the person who gave the present to you last year was the person you got to give the gift this year.
Try explaining that one in the canteen

Bollocks.

Seed of paranoia now sown.

Bassfish

I have no problem with the once off €10 present part but in my office they insist on doing this thing where you buy multiple small gifts for the person in the weeks running up to Christmas and then the main one just before Christmas. People boast that they spend €50 or €60 on their person over the month and when I voiced my dislike of this to some colleagues I was called a grinch and asked why I don't like Christmas! Fukking load of bullcrap!

lertsnim

I despise it. One of my old work places did it every year and a few of us couldn't be bothered with it but the gob****es trying to force it on everyone act like you murdered someone. I don't have a problem giving presents to people I actually care about.

Get a 10 donation to a charity and try and make it vaguely something the person is interested in...animal charity, etc.

westcoast66

I worked in a place where the office manager (mother hen type) used to put everyones name in a hat and then you had to pull a name out. She would then record in her spreadsheet who got who. 'To make sure that the presents were appropriate'. I refused to take part one year as I said that it should be anonymous and nearly got fired over it!

Teyla Emmagan

I used to organise one in work, for the Christmas party. No one every objected but there were always a few gob****es who liked to pretend they were too busy and important to walk into their nearest chemist and buy something. So they'd arrive in hands swinging and bring no present but walk out with one themselves. I sent several of them back out the door and around the corner to the first shop. And yes, I am a bossy cow. But FFS, it's totally harmless and a bit of fun, just go with it.

darkpagandeath

errr when did it change from kringle

OneArt

I wouldn't mind if my workplace had one. I'd love to get the chain-smoking old hag I work for an old lady jumper or a frilly dildo or something.

To Elland Back

OP, I declared myself out of the one where I work today

Teyla Emmagan

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I used to organise one in work, for the Christmas party. No one every objected but there were always a few gob****es who liked to pretend they were too busy and important to walk into their nearest chemist and buy something. So they'd arrive in hands swinging and bring no present but walk out with one themselves. I sent several of them back out the door and around the corner to the first shop. And yes, I am a bossy cow. But FFS, it's totally harmless and a bit of fun, just go with it.

Not wanting to do it is one thing but taking a present off someone else while refusing to buy??? No thanks

Caliden

Donate money to charity on their behalf. That way the gift matches the gifter.

Tarzana2

lertsnim wrote: »

I don't have a problem giving presents to people I actually care about.

This. And with someone you're close to, you know what they like instead of pointless consumerist nonsense in the alleged spirit of Christmas.

Plus, as someone who has spend many an Xmas skint, every tenner adds up!

pauliebdub

We used to do it in my last job, a team of thirty pulled a name out of a hat and spent a tenner and placed the wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree. Until some malicious person swapped a gift intended for an overweight girl in the team with a tub of slim fast to humiliate her in front of everyone on what should have been a fun occasion. It was discontinued after that.

Tarzana2

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

So they'd arrive in hands swinging and bring no present but walk out with one themselves.

Well, if someone gives you a gift, the gracious thing to do is accept it. What should they have done?

Jen Pigs Fly

anncoates wrote: »

Bollocks.

Seed of paranoia now sown.

Playing devils advocate here :pac:

Aglomerado

pauliebdub wrote: »

We used to do it in my last job, a team of thirty pulled a name out of a hat and spent a tenner and placed the wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree. Until some malicious person swapped a gift intended for an overweight girl in the team with a tub of slim fast to humiliate her in front of everyone on what should have been a fun occasion. It was discontinued after that.

That's a really mean-spirited and childish thing to do. :mad:

Ice Storm

darkpagandeath wrote: »

errr when did it change from kringle

I always thought the correct name was Kris Kindle and people saying Kringle were wrong. According to wikipedia:

Deriving from the Christian tradition, the ritual is known as Secret Santa in the United States and the United Kingdom; as Kris Kringle or Kris Kindle (Christkindl) in Ireland; ... corruptions of the original name of the Austrian gift-bringer Christkindl, which means the "Christ Child"

Corvo

To Elland Back wrote: »

OP, I declared myself out of the one where I work today

Lucky you, now me PM me your secret.

messrs

kylith wrote: »

I have two KKs this year, and one of them is blind - i.e. all the presents get put in a bag and everyone does a lucky dip, so not only do I have to come up with something, it has to be unisex and good for ages 19-60. Tons of fun.

Do you have a 'Heatons' near you? they have lots of unisex puzzels for around €8 - €10

http://www.heatonsstores.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=puzzels

I know 2 of them are kids, but the other 2 are adults -
other option is just go for bottle of wine/box of chocs

Stheno

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I used to organise one in work, for the Christmas party. No one every objected but there were always a few gob****es who liked to pretend they were too busy and important to walk into their nearest chemist and buy something. So they'd arrive in hands swinging and bring no present but walk out with one themselves. I sent several of them back out the door and around the corner to the first shop. And yes, I am a bossy cow. But FFS, it's totally harmless and a bit of fun, just go with it.

What if someone did object to on the basis of their being non Christian though?

Neyite

Just get a passive-aggressive coffee mug like everyone else?

Corvo

Neyite wrote: »

Just get a passive-aggressive coffee mug like everyone else?

Ha, with my so far unsuccessful attempts to remove myself from it, I may have to take up your suggestion.

I suppose I could always try and find out who got one of the people I actually do get on with (scarce) and see if I can swap for them.

suicide_circus

Being pressurised into the festive spirit in the workplace by people you dont like - the true meaning of Christmas.

Neyite

Corvo wrote: »

Ha, with my so far unsuccessful attempts to remove myself from it, I may have to take up your suggestion.

I suppose I could always try and find out who got one of the people I actually do get on with (scarce) and see if I can swap for them.

Like this one.*

*Might get you fired.

lertsnim

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I used to organise one in work, for the Christmas party. No one every objected but there were always a few gob****es who liked to pretend they were too busy and important to walk into their nearest chemist and buy something. So they'd arrive in hands swinging and bring no present but walk out with one themselves. I sent several of them back out the door and around the corner to the first shop. And yes, I am a bossy cow. But FFS, it's totally harmless and a bit of fun, just go with it.

I'd hate to work with you at Christmas time. Why can you not accept some people want no part of this. It might seem totally harmless and a bit of fun for you but for others it is an absolute pain in the hole

Corvo

suicide_circus wrote: »

Being pressurised into the festive spirit in the workplace by people you dont like - the true meaning of Christmas.

A lot like the annual Christmas Party

"Oh so you aren't going? WHY THE HELL NOT? Are you mad? Its the Christmas Party!!!"

Because I would rather cut off my manhood than spend another hour around you sober than I have to, never mind with drink in me when my reduced inhibitions may lead to me showing you out of the building - via a window :pac:

To Elland Back

Corvo wrote: »

Lucky you, now me PM me your secret.

No secret, just be a grumpy old billocks all year round and others just accept that it is you being you.

Works a treat

Inspector Dhar

lertsnim wrote: »

I'd hate to work with you at Christmas time. Why can you not accept some people want no part of this. It might seem totally harmless and a bit of fun for you but for others it is an absolute pain in the hole

May KK be the worst pain your hole has to endure.

Teyla Emmagan

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I used to organise one in work, for the Christmas party. No one every objected but there were always a few gob****es who liked to pretend they were too busy and important to walk into their nearest chemist and buy something. So they'd arrive in hands swinging and bring no present but walk out with one themselves. I sent several of them back out the door and around the corner to the first shop. And yes, I am a bossy cow. But FFS, it's totally harmless and a bit of fun, just go with it.

That does not sound like harmless fun

lertsnim

Inspector Dhar wrote: »

May KK be the worst pain your hole has to endure.

Yes, there are a lot worse things that can happen in life. I know that and it would be foolish to suggest otherwise.

But what a lot of people seem to forget is that there are things you might find easy but this does not mean it is the same for everyone.

anewme

pauliebdub wrote: »

We used to do it in my last job, a team of thirty pulled a name out of a hat and spent a tenner and placed the wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree. Until some malicious person swapped a gift intended for an overweight girl in the team with a tub of slim fast to humiliate her in front of everyone on what should have been a fun occasion. It was discontinued after that.

For some reason this has really shocked and upset me and Im not overweight at all. What a nasty rotten sleeveen to even consider doing that to another person. Hope they get what's coming to them. Would hate the thought of even having someone like that working next or near me in the office.

We do it, (secret santa) it's a tenner, you dont have to if you dont want to, but everyone does, theres about 25 of us and the presents are usually funny little items to raise a giggle when we have coffee and mince pies. Then again, our office is fairly harmonious and chilled and for the most part we get on well which suits me because you spend so much of your time at work, its a bonus when you work with nice people

westcoast66

pauliebdub wrote: »

We used to do it in my last job, a team of thirty pulled a name out of a hat and spent a tenner and placed the wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree. Until some malicious person swapped a gift intended for an overweight girl in the team with a tub of slim fast to humiliate her in front of everyone on what should have been a fun occasion. It was discontinued after that.

Ha, happened in a place I used to work in. One of the girls unwrapped her vibrator present in front of everyone. Cue a deathly silence and her walking out of the room!

lertsnim

lertsnim wrote: »

I'd hate to work with you at Christmas time. Why can you not accept some people want no part of this. It might seem totally harmless and a bit of fun for you but for others it is an absolute pain in the hole

The time to object is BEFORE someone has bought you a present

kylith

messrs wrote: »

Do you have a 'Heatons' near you? they have lots of unisex puzzels for around €8 - €10

http://www.heatonsstores.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=puzzels

I know 2 of them are kids, but the other 2 are adults -
other option is just go for bottle of wine/box of chocs

Thanks, that's actually really helpful

shruikan2553

westcoast66 wrote: »

Ha, happened in a place I used to work in. One of the girls unwrapped her vibrator present in front of everyone. Cue a deathly silence and her walking out of the room!

She just couldnt wait to try it out eh?