Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Work secret Santa

  • 29-11-2017 1:10am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Started a new job just over 2 weeks ago and we are having our Christmas party next Wednesday. People have to buy a gift and it will be randomly given out.

    My problem is I have no clue what to buy.

    I work in a tech company. The budget had been set at anything above 20 ringett (€4!) and as 99.9% of the people that work there are strict muslims, alcohol is not an option.

    HELP


«1

Comments

  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,690 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Witchie wrote: »
    Started a new job just over 2 weeks ago and we are having our Christmas party next Wednesday. People have to buy a gift and it will be randomly given out.

    My problem is I have no clue what to buy.

    I work in a tech company. The budget had been set at anything above 20 ringett (€4!) and as 99.9% of the people that work there are strict muslims, alcohol is not an option.

    HELP

    I have this white next week

    I'm just buying a candle


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,382 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    21 ringett voucher.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,067 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    Second hand Ford Focus always goes down well in my experience!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,212 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    I had to google what a ringgit was :(




















    Malaysian currency if you are wondering. :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,361 ✭✭✭✭One eyed Jack


    A box of sweets or some sort of confectionery should do the job, I'm not too familiar with the local treats over there, but sweet treats seem to transcend cultures :D




    ps - Congratulations on the new job!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,715 ✭✭✭Pretzill


    If the majority are Muslim's - why are they celebrating Christmas?


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,690 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Pretzill wrote: »
    If the majority are Muslim's - why are they celebrating Christmas?

    Trying to accommodate the apostates in one place to facilitate Isis?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,067 ✭✭✭✭freshpopcorn


    Would you get a big jar of sweets in Debenhams/Aldi?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Pretzill wrote: »
    If the majority are Muslim's - why are they celebrating Christmas?

    Because they celebrate most festivals here. Halloween was pretty major.

    The country is very moderate and as there are 3 main etnicities here - Malay, Chinese and Indian - there are many religions and cultures and they embrace them all.

    My company is focused on creating a product for people who are halal (don't worry the irony of a vegetarian atheist westerner leading such a project is not lost on me) so the majority are Muslim.

    Was thinking of a cool mug and a mini hamper of teas and coffees but just not sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,314 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    Nerf guns always go down well. They're also easy to regift to children.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Would you get a big jar of sweets in Debenhams/Aldi?

    No aldi here but that might be possible. Will have to make sure it is Halal.....now if only there was an app for that....

    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,715 ✭✭✭Pretzill


    Witchie wrote: »
    Because they celebrate most festivals here. Halloween was pretty major.

    The country is very moderate and as there are 3 main etnicities here - Malay, Chinese and Indian - there are many religions and cultures and they embrace them all.

    My company is focused on creating a product for people who are halal (don't worry the irony of a vegetarian atheist westerner leading such a project is not lost on me) so the majority are Muslim.

    Was thinking of a cool mug and a mini hamper of teas and coffees but just not sure.

    Sorry I wasn't questioning their right to party :)
    Just when you said 99.9% I wouldn't have expected such focus on a Christian holiday. It was a genuine question -

    A box of nice sweet treats - Turkish delight or something?


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,690 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Pretzill wrote: »

    A box of nice sweet treats - Turkish delight or something?

    Good suggestion


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,361 ✭✭✭✭One eyed Jack


    Witchie wrote: »
    My company is focused on creating a product for people who are halal (don't worry the irony of a vegetarian atheist westerner leading such a project is not lost on me) so the majority are Muslim.

    Was thinking of a cool mug and a mini hamper of teas and coffees but just not sure.


    Kinda reminds me of the time one of my co-workers told me they were Hindu. I asked him what's a Hindu? He went into a big long explanation and I felt bad then because the joke was lost on an actual Hindu, and I didn't have the heart to tell him to stop :pac:


    (answer: lays eggs)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 555 ✭✭✭shaunr68


    Witchie wrote: »
    I work in a tech company. The budget had been set at anything above 20 ringett (€4!) and as 99.9% of the people that work there are strict muslims, alcohol is not an option.
    The God Delusion and a packet of pork scratchings!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Pretzill wrote: »
    Sorry I wasn't questioning their right to party :)
    Just when you said 99.9% I wouldn't have expected such focus on a Christian holiday. It was a genuine question -

    A box of nice sweet treats - Turkish delight or something?

    I hear ya! I think they just enjoy festivities here no matter what religious beliefs are behind them. Am not complaining coz we are going to an amazing restaurant in the Shangri-la hotel so will be a lovely meal anyway.

    Bought my dress yesterday. Excited for it but just trying to think of something to buy. Would love to have gotten something Irish but apart from alcohol and O'Brien's sandwich bars, there is nothing Irish here.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭368100


    The fella I got asked something very silly earlier in the year so im getting it put on a mug as a quote giving him credit for it.

    He also occasionally and unintentionally wears odd socks so I'm getting him a set of 3 odd socks.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,690 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    368100 wrote: »
    The fella I got asked something very silly earlier in the year so im getting it put on a mug as a quote giving him credit for it.

    He also occasionally and unintentionally wears odd socks so I'm getting him a set of 3 odd socks.

    In my place the gifts are randomly assigned


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Yeah if I knew who I had to buy for it works be easier.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,067 ✭✭✭368100


    Stheno wrote: »
    In my place the gifts are randomly assigned

    Must make it harder, I'd say a lot of them will be similar, play it safe etc


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,690 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    368100 wrote: »
    Must make it harder, I'd say a lot of them will be similar, play it safe etc

    They are usually booze


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,212 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    A couple of years ago my friend had a secret Santa in his job. He was assigned to get a woman something for Christmas and not wanting to totally cheap out he bought the Britney Spears perfume. Memory says it cost him 40 euro at the time.

    He gave the gift to the woman and she loved it. When he got his gift (from another woman) he got a pen with his name on it :pac:


    Lesson learned. Always go cheap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,685 ✭✭✭✭wonski


    Christmas party where 99.9% are Muslims?

    Who came up with this idea?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,715 ✭✭✭Pretzill


    Witchie would you get something Irish themed online and delivered on time?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Pretzill wrote: »
    Witchie would you get something Irish themed online and delivered on time?

    I highly doubt it as I am still waiting for birthday cards that were sent to me in August. :eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    wonski wrote: »
    Christmas party where 99.9% are Muslims?

    Who came up with this idea?

    Fun liberal people who enjoy celebrating life. It's almost as massive here as at home. My local mall has the decorations up and is blaring Christmas tunes.


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 SaatanaArctica


    Novelty mug is a pretty standard work secret santa item.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,545 ✭✭✭A2LUE42


    What about a Durian, if they are not banned in the office.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,197 ✭✭✭SuperS54


    At a party I attended someone had bought a breast pump for a lad who had put on a lot of weight during the year, don't do that.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,080 ✭✭✭Don Kiddick


    Just give them the gift of you witchie, it's all any malay man...or woman could possibly want


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    A packet of Denny Rashers.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,667 ✭✭✭Hector Bellend


    gary glitter calendar


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 SaatanaArctica


    Estrellita wrote: »
    Novelty mug is a pretty standard work secret santa item.

    These gifts are ghastly, the mug is not funny, or original.

    It's worth adding the extra money for a useable voucher. You cannot possibly know what your receivers interests are. I received a mug as a secret santa gift in the past. It never made it out of the building.
    It's not supposed to be funny or original. It's supposed to be standard to get you by if you don't know what to get.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,570 ✭✭✭Ulysses Gaze


    Witchie wrote: »
    Started a new job just over 2 weeks ago and we are having our Christmas party next Wednesday. People have to buy a gift and it will be randomly given out.

    My problem is I have no clue what to buy.

    I work in a tech company. The budget had been set at anything above 20 ringett (€4!) and as 99.9% of the people that work there are strict muslims, alcohol is not an option.

    HELP

    Something with an Irish theme?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Just give them the gift of you witchie, it's all any malay man...or woman could possibly want

    You are too sweet. That said I found out today that the only guy who caught my eye is married with 2 kids. Dammit.
    Something with an Irish theme?

    I would if I could find something here in time. We have to hand them to the organisers on Monday and the party is on Wednesday. Aghhh.....think will just have to be totally unoriginal then.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,570 ✭✭✭Ulysses Gaze


    Witchie wrote: »
    You are too sweet. That said I found out today that the only guy who caught my eye is married with 2 kids. Dammit.



    I would if I could find something here in time. We have to hand them to the organisers on Monday and the party is on Wednesday. Aghhh.....think will just have to be totally unoriginal then.

    Where are you based in Malaysia? KL?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Where are you based in Malaysia? KL?

    Yes....do you have some help for me?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,570 ✭✭✭Ulysses Gaze


    Witchie wrote: »
    Yes....do you have some help for me?

    Let me see....


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,639 ✭✭✭andekwarhola


    For years, I've just reused the present I recieve the previous year as this year's gift.

    Job's Oxo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,409 ✭✭✭✭Grayson


    We have to do a secret Santa too.

    However we also have to write a note to a random person saying thanks for being great.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    Grayson wrote: »
    We have to do a secret Santa too.

    However we also have to write a note to a random person saying thanks for being great.

    That's a lovely idea, but since have only spoken to about 5 out of the 25 people in the office (we have 3 different projects going on and I only work on one so have no reason to talk to the others and too busy trying to cram a whole day's work into 4 hours.)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,812 ✭✭✭thelad95


    Very thinly veiled ‘I work in Malaysia’ thread.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie


    thelad95 wrote: »
    Very thinly veiled ‘I work in Malaysia’ thread.

    I don't do thinly anything love. :p


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,080 ✭✭✭Don Kiddick


    Witchie wrote: »
    I don't do thinly anything love. :p

    https://youtu.be/gL4Vf2FLtq8

    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,597 ✭✭✭Witchie



    How did you get up 11 floors to video me through the window?

    Mods....stalker alert! :D


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 155 ✭✭jack hackett


    You can never go wrong with a candle, used in all religions, save offending anyone


  • Registered Users Posts: 207 ✭✭beetlebailey


    Witchie wrote: »
    That's a lovely idea, but since have only spoken to about 5 out of the 25 people in the office (we have 3 different projects going on and I only work on one so have no reason to talk to the others and too busy trying to cram a whole day's work into 4 hours.)

    I'm in the same boat. He's the only Muslim in the company and I've no idea what to get. He usually buy each other somthing funny or pointless. Don't know how he'd feel about that. I was thinking something Irish like Guinness, or Denny rashers and sausages. Then I thought somthing more religious would be more appropriate like a nativity scene or maybe a shaving set. Think socks might be safest bet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,080 ✭✭✭Don Kiddick


    Witchie wrote: »
    How did you get up 11 floors to video me through the window?

    Mods....stalker alert! :D

    It's amazing what a motivated man is capable of!


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Tesco has a mug with a picture of a kitkat on it and a pack of 6 kitkat in it, perfect gift its cheap useful and its got chocolate bars as well.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,628 ✭✭✭darkdubh


    Can't you opt out of this secret santa thing?


  • Advertisement
Advertisement