As the holiday season approaches, we took a fun dive into the festive spirit by surveying 1,000 UK office workers about their thoughts on Secret Santa.
For many, Secret Santa is a beloved tradition that brings joy and laughter, though some office workers are choosing to opt out this year. Still, a significant number of employees are excited about both giving and receiving gifts, proving that the spirit of generosity remains strong.
Our survey also revealed interesting insights into gift preferences, and what colleagues truly want (and what they definitely don’t!). Plus, we explored the growing trend of sustainable gifting and clever budgeting strategies that many are employing to keep their Secret Santa spending in check.
A Yuletide Tradition...with a Twist!
While 31% of respondents won’t be participating this year and 26% haven’t yet decided, there’s still a sizable 30% who are ready to join the fun. And for those who do join, a strong 64% said they actually enjoy the experience, while 22% join begrudgingly—because, hey, it’s still a tradition!
But Secret Santa’s popularity might be on the decline in some offices: 32% feel the tradition is losing steam, whereas 18% feel it’s gaining traction. It turns out that working from home has an impact, with 68% saying it affects their Secret Santa experience—whether that’s because of logistics, team spirit, or simply not being in the same room to see the gift reactions.
Good Cheer in Gift Giving? Mostly Yes!
When it comes to the giving vs. receiving debate, nearly 70% of participants said they prefer giving, while only 7% admitted to liking receiving more—an admirable nod to the spirit of giving. Yet, it seems there are definite do's and don’ts in the gift department.
We asked respondents to rank their top 3 ideal gifts to receive in Secret Santa, here’s what the 10 most popular gifts were:
We also asked respondents to rank their top 3 worst gifts to receive in Secret Santa, here’s what the 10 most popular gifts were:
A Shift Towards Sustainable Secret Santa
Reflecting the UK's growing trend toward eco-conscious choices, 77% of respondents said they would consider giving an eco-friendly gift, while 4% already do. It’s a small but rising shift toward sustainability that’s clearly making its mark on holiday gifting.
The Price of Festive Fun
Despite some speculation around holiday spending pressure, 59% feel no extra pressure to spend on Secret Santa gifts this year. The average spend tends to stay modest, with 48% spending between £5 and £10, while only 1% would consider spending £30 or more.
One notable trend is the rise in clever budgeting strategies. A few resourceful employees admit to finding things “that look expensive but aren’t” or buying in bulk on sale, while some confessed to ‘upscaling’ a gift for someone they particularly like in the office.
What Happens to Unwanted Gifts?
Not every Secret Santa gift is a hit, but participants have found creative ways to handle unwanted items. 42% donate them to charity or raffles, 27% re-gift, and 22% keep them anyway. A mere 4% would consider selling it online—proof that, even when gifts miss the mark, they often still find a purpose.
Top Secret Santa Confessions
Of course, no office tradition is complete without a few insider secrets. Some standout confessions from survey participants include:
Love secret santa? Think it should be banned? Let us know your thoughts of the gifting tradition on social media by using #instantprintuk!
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