New Year is a magical time when everyone is waiting for a miracle and hoping for a fairy tale. In some countries, the game "Secret Santa" became popular This is a good tradition, the essence of which is an anonymous exchange of New Year's gifts.
Features
The ceremony is widespread in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and residents of several European countries, Australia and New Zealand love to play it. The game "Secret Santa" has several names - "Secret Santa Claus", "Pollyanna" or "Chris Kindle". All of these names have a reference to a very specific character. Everyone knows who Santa is - the main Christmas magician, Chris Kindle in the English tradition is considered the “Father of Christmas”, and Pollyanna is the heroine of the famous novel who won the hearts of readers around the world with her kindness, sensitivity and participation in other people's experiences.
The meaning of the game is to secretly exchange New Year and Christmas gifts, it is held among a large number of participants, and the name of the person to whom you will make a gift is chosen at random and becomes known only to you. Until the very moment of the ceremony, no one even guesses who and who will give.
Usually, the exchange of presents is made on a certain day, when all the participants gather at a festive event.
However, if this is not possible, for example, if the “Secret Santa” takes place in the form of a quest game with strangers, it is possible to allocate some period for giving, for example, a week when everyone should present a gift to his “ward.”
It is noteworthy that in this case, each person draws up his wish list, where he indicates the gifts he dreams of, and the donor chooses from this list. Thus, the New Year's surprise in any case will be pleasant. Although this is not at all necessary, sometimes an approximate price range is set among the participants so that everyone can cope with their task.
rules
So, let's dwell on the rules of "Secret Santa". The easiest option is to write the names of the participants on pieces of paper, roll up and mix. Thereafter stipulates the approximate cost of gifts, for example, from 1000 to 2000 rubles – this is necessary so that the most stingy will not make an attempt to get rid of the wax-price of fix-price candles, while their more generous friends will go broke into branded items from expensive boutiques.
After the agreements have been reached, everyone pulls a piece of paper, but does not show it to anyone later. If you have drawn out a leaflet with your name, just show the others and put it back, and then draw lots again. The person who chooses your name in such a “blind” way will become your personal Santa, and you will be an anonymous wizard for someone whose note was in your hands.
After the draw, the date of the flash mob is determined.
By the way, this is a great option for people who plan to celebrate New Year's Eve together - in this case, all the gifts can be packed in boxes and put under the Christmas tree. Then the secret will not be revealed.
Suitable gifts
In order not to be trapped, many agree in advance to make a list of preferences. As a rule, several positions are indicated, Santa may already choose one or several of them. But if the wish list is not made and you have to buy a gift to your taste, then our advice will probably be useful to you.
Hugge style
Probably, nowadays, there is no person left who would not have heard about the Hyugge. This concept came to us from the Scandinavian countries and there it means comfort, warmth, family values and well-being. A cozy gift will be most welcome at Christmas - after all, in cold winter evenings, you want so much a soulful atmosphere, which will help you to convey:
- candlesticks with a set of scented candles;
- aroma oils for residential premises;
- unusual festive garland;
- warm soft blanket;
- stylish photo frame;
- a large cup with a winter print and a set for a delicious mulled wine.
You can put your presents in a large basket, put thick knitted mittens on top or warm socks with a winter pattern, the hygge mood is ready!
In the office
If "Secret Santa" is held among colleagues, It is worthwhile to dwell on more neutral and practical gifts, these can be:
- wireless mouse;
- headphones;
- thermomug;
- desktop humidifier;
- stylish diary with a pen.
It is best to complete sets, for example, to give a notebook and a french press. It is no secret that life in the office is fraught with a lot of hassle, therefore, a good choice would be a desk punching bag - anti-stress, which helps to let off steam after not quite successful communication with the boss. For several years now, the portable charger has been at the top of the gift rating.
This is not surprising, every year people are more and more using smartphones that require frequent recharging, which is why the power bank of stylish design will most likely be used more than once.
Sweet gifts
Sweet gifts are always relevant for the New Year, Of course, it would be better if not just sweets were presented as a gift, but some unusual delicacies:
- a set of decorated gingerbread;
- packing of marshmallow or dried fruit in a Christmas wrapper;
- a bottle of whiskey and rum;
- set of seasonings and sweet syrup for making strong warming drinks;
- jams in stylish packaging;
- honey.
All this can be given in sets with sweets or chocolates.
Original gifts
All the gifts listed are good, but still the New Year and Christmas, especially in the game "Secret Santa", I want to get something unusual that is unlikely to be presented on any other holiday. Glasses for virtual reality - this is a very fashionable gadget, if you insert a smartphone into such glasses, you can play enough 3D games, see a lot of “multidimensional” films and at least one finger touch the unknown future. In each store selling electronic equipment, you can find a wide selection of glasses and choose the appropriate option within a certain budget.
Stones for cooling alcohol. Of course, this gift is best combined with a bottle of expensive brandy, wine and brandy. These stones quickly cool the drink, are easy to wash, and look extremely impressive in a glass. Stock of warm socks - yes, it is customary to give socks on February 23, many consider this gift beaten. But just remember how much hosiery for the year disappears in the depths of the house - surely no man will refuse a serious replenishment of their stocks.
It is advisable to buy at least 10 pairs, pack them beautifully and present them with bandaged ribbons.
Board games - the choice is not limited by anything: “Monopoly”, “Mafia”, table football. Games based on popular TV series and computer games are always appropriate: Star Wars, as well as Doom, men's favorite Tanchiki and even Game of Thrones will surely please many. A good idea would be bar gift card - just imagine that you can come to a restaurant or cafe and relax there without spending a penny.
This service today is becoming increasingly relevant, you only need to go to the page of the Internet service, which contains information about all the bars in the city, and choose the one that provides such services.
Give a ticket to a play or a concert if a famous music team comes to your city. Or maybe the stars of the Moscow theater give their concert. Give your friend the opportunity to go to an interesting presentation, perhaps in company with you. For the owner of the smartphone, a mini-lens will be a good gift, and the choice can be any - both individual lenses and a set with wide functionality. Moreover, many devices can not only put on the photograph the desired effect, but at the same time and improve the quality of the picture.
And, of course, no addressee will refuse to cozy sleepers for home, therefore you can safely buy them, having learned the size of a foot.
Just keep in mind, the shoes must be of the highest quality, otherwise it is unlikely that it will long please the person to whom you will present it. Do not forget to attach a letter from Santa or a greeting card to each gift.
What not to give?
There are such gifts that are not accepted to give in the game "Secret Santa". First of all, it is hand made products. Not everyone can find a worthy use of a hand-made thing; besides, many masters slightly overestimate the level of their work and what they see as a high-quality product is often not one. Decor objects - toys, cushions, figurines, vases and funny trinkets, each prefers to acquire on their own, based on their preferences, as well as interior design features. It is not worth buying a symbol of the coming year - this is too banal a gift that will indicate that Santa simply did not want to take the choice of a present seriously and responsibly.
No need to give hygiene, especially for girls. All kinds of shower foams, as well as gels and shampoos, some people perceive as a hint of their own uncleanliness, it spoils the whole impression of the gift. Leave any comic presents for the closest ones - the anonymity’s humor can be offended. Now that you know what kind of gifts you can give in the game "Secret Santa", you can safely offer entertainment to your family, friends and colleagues. Be sure that they will take your idea with great enthusiasm!
In the next video, five varieties of the game “Secret Santa” are waiting for you.
