Secret Santa for meeting planners

12/12/2011

Secret Santa

Secret Santa is often played among large families, but it is most typically played in the work place, as it is a unique way to get to know your colleagues and to boost morale. And since everyone is involved, everyone gets a gift.

You don’t have to be a kid to play this game, and you don’t have to celebrate Christmas to enjoy it! Secret Santa is a wonderful holiday tradition in which a group of individuals are randomly given the name of another to whom they give a gift.

But the key to this game is secrecy! All gifts are given anonymously. As the Secret Santa to another coworker, you must discover through discreet means what that person likes in order to find an appropriate gift.

Having begun as a Western Christmas tradition, this game is called Secret Santa in the United States, derived from gift-bringer Santa Claus, as well as the UK, although their traditional bringer of gifts is Father Christmas. Secret Santa is known as Kris Kringle or Chris Kindle in Ireland and both Secret Santa or Kris Kringle in Canada, Australia, and the Philippines. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the game is called Wichteln or Engerl und Bengerl; in Portuguese; it’s amigo secreto or even amigo oculto. In Spain, it’s amigo invisible while in Latin America, it’s known as amigo secreto.

The typical version of the game begins with the placing of all participant names in a hat. In no particular order, one name is drawn from the lot by each player, who thus becomes the Secret Santa for that person. Sometimes, a player will submit a list of potential gift items along with his or her name, to ensure they receive a desired gift. Others might leave obvious hints on their desk of items they would like.

Gift exchange occurs around a week or two after the names are drawn. The exchange process is usually done anonymously. After opening, players may attempt to guess who their Secret Santa is, or that Secret Santa may simply come forward and reveal him- or herself.

Strapped for cash? Secret Santa is the perfect way to enjoy the satisfaction of gift-giving while avoiding the guilt of not buying something for everyone. Plus, a price limit is always set so there’s no excuse to join in on the fun and holiday cheer!

Although the object of the game is to personalize your gift, the following gift ideas are always a hit among meeting planners:

iTunes gift card – great for downloading music or perhaps an app for event planning!

Business card organizer – a great way to stay organized, especially after a big tradeshow. They range in size and price. After all, who has time to go through an entire stack of cards looking for just one contact?

PowerMat – wireless charging is the perfect way to stay connected on the go!

Solar charger – for your phone, iPod, tablet or laptop…just add sunshine!

Airfare – with today’s flying costs, an airfare gift certificate is perfectly practical for any meeting planner on the move! Gift cards are available through inpidual airlines.

Groupon giftcard – perfect for a future site visit!

Tablets – depending on your price range, these can get expensive, but there remain several options, including the Amazon Kindle!

Leather journal/calendar – for a truly professional look, it’s all about the details!

External hard drive – the perfect way to store important files and keep your computer up to speed!

Cabin Max Ultimate Travel Kit – for true comfort, this kit is great for any traveler, not just a meeting planner.

C. MCMANEMY