I begrudgingly participated in this program at work & although I think it's a great thing to do, to bring a group of people together, I am at a loss as to what to give my "Secret Pal". She is an older lady, probably in her 60's, favorite color is red, likes to scrapbook. She is well off, financially, and can buy herself whatever she wants, so I feel like it makes it a little harder. So far I have done chocolates & a 6 pack of Sprite, since I've seen her drinking it on occasion. I don't sit directly in her area or see/talk to her on a regular basis, so I don't know her or her likes/dislikes very well.
Any ideas? I'm not the most creative person and I have a hard time picking things out for other people. Maybe I'm just over thinking it too much! Anyway, any suggestions for cheap treats/gifts (under 5 bucks) are greatly appreciated!! We are doing this until December & the "big reveal" happens at the Christmas party, so they don't want us spending too much money. Thanks!
i like stationary, a little notepad and a cute pen or something like that.
maybe a photo frame if she has a family.
$5 gift card to a local spot like starbucks.
I over think it too.
Well you said she likes to scrapbook right? Why don't you get her a gift card from Micheal's so that way she can get more stuff for doing a scrapbook. Or you could even get her something that is red maybe for her desk.
Go with the scrapbook theme.
Fun stickers, ribbon, new paper, die cut punches, markers, embellishments like gems, flowers etc.
Keep an eye out for back to school sales and get her some fun colorful sharpie markers tied with ribbon.
Are you sure about her age? About 10 years ago, I had a neighbor move in next door that I assumed to be around 52 years old. Turns out, she was almost 70! She looked THAT good and was THAT active.
See if you can surreptitiously find out a little more about this lady, it might give you some new angles to pursue with the little gifts.
We all have to use little post-it type notes, but we all HATE to buy them.. especially the plain yellow ones. Get her a funky red post-it pad and a cool pen. Get her some red nail polish and cuticle cream/emery board. A tea/coffee cup and a box of Tazo Awake tea bags (they are red, by the way).
Have fun with it.
When we've done secret pals, we also get a sheet of their likes and dislikes.... were there no other suggestions other than scrapbooking?
What about a candlewarmer and candle? Many workplaces have restrictions on actually burning candles, so the candlewarmer is a nice substitute..... I've gotten the candlewarmer from Walmart for $5, and candles are usually about that price...
She might like cute crafty things from Michael's. I've given secret pals things like a box of tea bags, $5 gift card to Dunkin/Starbucks/deli near work, cute pens and notepads, tube of hand lotion, lip balm, bottle of nail polish. Find out who her friends are and see if they can give you any hints about other things that she likes.
I miss being in the group with secret pals. So much fun!
I usually took the sheet of likes and dislikes as a startng point, but not too literally.
Some of the favorite gifts I received were:
purse sized hand sanitizer from bath and body works...I think there were two in a little gift bag.
small candle for the bathroom (it was the color in my masterbath)
matching potholder and kitchen towel
a jar with individual packets of flavored coffee and hot chocolate
scratch paper and matching pen (I found out it came from the dollar store and it was really cute)
Even when someone can buy whatever they want doesn't mean that they will. Getting little treats is always a delight.
I hope you have fun with this. I really miss it.
$5 giftcard to Michael's craft store
$5 giftcard to Starbucks
Cute & different post-it notes
small frame for her desk
$5 bouquet of ffresh lowers
Tin of Almond Roca
Some fun pens
A red tee shirt
cute little sign for her desk. they have them all over these days w/cute
sayings
travel mug
cute mug w/a saying for her desk
fun book of sayings
cute long necklace she can wear w/a blouse
couple of truffles from a candy shop
sm pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream
fancy cupcake from a cupcake shop or from bakery at your local grocer
local grocer bakery also has individual slices of cheesecake etc
cookbook (I found one discounted for $5 @ Ross type of store)
coasters for her desk or home
wall calendar for the new year (something cool like Hawaii or Italy)
I wouldn't overdo the red thing. I'd rotate bringing flowers, like a rose, and treats, like fruit tart from a bakery. I'd feel comfortable eating a treat packaged and sealed by a bakery. I'd also peek at her work area to get more ideas.
Are you friends with anyone that sits near her? They could tell you for instance if she drinks tea or coffee and you could get her a cup.
