Secret Santa: The Decision
Dec. 2nd, 2012 03:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebAt one of my jobs, they're doing secret Santas. When I first heard this, I was not thrilled. You exchange names and then give two small presents during the next week (with "small" defined as less than $5) and one big present (< $25) on the last day. Three commitments. Do not like.
Also, I suck at thinking up good presents even for my friends who I actually know and care about. (My favorite is to yank something out of their hands at the check-out counter, saying, "Would this make a good present for you?")
But then it turns out you don't just get someone's name, you also get a questionnaire filled out by them. I wondered if that would give me enough information to think up okay presents, so I checked it out. Here's what they ask:
* hometown
* birthday/zodiac sign
* preferred drinks
* favorite desserts
* favorite colors
* inpsirations
* things you collect
* favorite books
* favorite movies
* favorite music
* favorite TV shows
* favorite sports (and teams)
* hobbies
* goals
* diet restrictions
* anything else your secret Santa should know
I could work with favorite desserts (except for people who don't eat sweets). And I know how to make a few other treats that might be appreciated. And I could maybe find similar books, movies, music or at least give out a gift card. And there is so much data, some of it might actually be inspiring.
Then while I was at a bus stop, I wrote a limerick I could print out and roll into a scroll and tie with a pretty ribbon and piece of rosemary:
There was an adviser from Texas
Turned all of her students to Exes.*
Through thick and through thin,
One-time exception,**
You know what the fate of her next is.
*The alumni association is called the Texas Exes; this is not about dating and dumping all your students.
**You're only allowed to drop courses under certain conditions, but if you don't meet any of those conditions and you want to drop a course, you're allowed to under the one-time exception rule, a fairly new development.
Of course, since these advisers have 300 students, their students won't all be graduating no matter how awesome they are, but it's fun to write. And I would personalize the limerick by using the person's actual gender.
Okay, so I could probably think of something not too horrible to give away. Is it possible I could get things I actually want? My boss says that's where the last category comes in. She always says that her secret Santa should know that she likes gift cards. I was thinking that I could mention that my favorite movie theatre is Alamo Drafthouse. I also like the dessert question. I don't know, it might be okay. (Last time I had a secret Santa, I remember getting Longhorn stickers. And it turned out my Santa actually knew me.)
And if not, they won't be any the wiser if their gifts end up at Goodwill.
So, I'm going to do it.
Cake of the Day
Simple, yet beautiful. Also, I want to eat this cake.
Also, I suck at thinking up good presents even for my friends who I actually know and care about. (My favorite is to yank something out of their hands at the check-out counter, saying, "Would this make a good present for you?")
But then it turns out you don't just get someone's name, you also get a questionnaire filled out by them. I wondered if that would give me enough information to think up okay presents, so I checked it out. Here's what they ask:
* hometown
* birthday/zodiac sign
* preferred drinks
* favorite desserts
* favorite colors
* inpsirations
* things you collect
* favorite books
* favorite movies
* favorite music
* favorite TV shows
* favorite sports (and teams)
* hobbies
* goals
* diet restrictions
* anything else your secret Santa should know
I could work with favorite desserts (except for people who don't eat sweets). And I know how to make a few other treats that might be appreciated. And I could maybe find similar books, movies, music or at least give out a gift card. And there is so much data, some of it might actually be inspiring.
Then while I was at a bus stop, I wrote a limerick I could print out and roll into a scroll and tie with a pretty ribbon and piece of rosemary:
There was an adviser from Texas
Turned all of her students to Exes.*
Through thick and through thin,
One-time exception,**
You know what the fate of her next is.
*The alumni association is called the Texas Exes; this is not about dating and dumping all your students.
**You're only allowed to drop courses under certain conditions, but if you don't meet any of those conditions and you want to drop a course, you're allowed to under the one-time exception rule, a fairly new development.
Of course, since these advisers have 300 students, their students won't all be graduating no matter how awesome they are, but it's fun to write. And I would personalize the limerick by using the person's actual gender.
Okay, so I could probably think of something not too horrible to give away. Is it possible I could get things I actually want? My boss says that's where the last category comes in. She always says that her secret Santa should know that she likes gift cards. I was thinking that I could mention that my favorite movie theatre is Alamo Drafthouse. I also like the dessert question. I don't know, it might be okay. (Last time I had a secret Santa, I remember getting Longhorn stickers. And it turned out my Santa actually knew me.)
And if not, they won't be any the wiser if their gifts end up at Goodwill.
So, I'm going to do it.
Cake of the Day
Simple, yet beautiful. Also, I want to eat this cake.