‘Snowflakes’ and vegans are ruining Secret Santa in UK workplaces with almost half of Brits claiming they have to be overly cautious not to offend colleagues and want to BAN the tradition, according to a survey.
Research revealed that 45% of Brits say they have to tread carefully when picking out gifts for colleagues and a third claim vegans are hardest to buy for.
The situation is so tense that 59% of those quizzed say they want to see the back of the tradition all together, with Generation Z (16-24-year-olds) the most keen to ban the tradition.
The survey of 1,003 office workers by online printing company instantprint found 61% of Londoners were keen to consign Secret Santa to the history books while only 39% wanted to keep the custom alive.
As with everything Brexit-related the country is split, with 15% saying Brexiteers are hardest to buy for while 14% claiming Remainers are harder.
The top reasons Brits give for not liking Secret Santa include some colleagues can’t afford it (33%) while a further 25% feel it embarrasses work colleagues in some way and 25% feel it is tacky.
An unusual Secret Santa gift – a cold kebab
When it comes to the cost of Secret Santa, 67% of Brits believe they shouldn’t have to pay more than £10 on a colleague’s gift. However 20% didn’t want to spend more than £5.
Jon Constantine-Smith, head of instantprint, said: ‘It was very interesting to get these results and understand the different attitudes in workplaces across the UK.
‘Christmas can be a tricky time for employers with lots of different traditions and opinions on the festivities.
‘It’s important to show leadership and not dwell on differences, employers need to know their staff and prevent issues before they occur.’
A handy but unusual Secret Santa present – batteries!
20 of the worst Secret Santa gifts workers say they’ve been given:
1. Inflatable lamb sex doll
2. Batteries
3. A reindeer thong
4. Box of genuine Cornish air
5. A plastic, jumping, wind up body part
6. Cliff Richard shower gel
7. Pink furry handcuffs
8. A rubber duck
9. Shoe polish
10. Dog treat
11. A Mankini
12. French soft cheese
13. Novelty blow up sheep
14. Grow your own boyfriend
15. Very small condoms
16. A mixtape of Norwegian Christmas songs
17. Fully sized cardboard Justin Bieber
18. A cold kebab
19. Woolworth’s voucher after they had closed down
20. A voodoo doll
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