| Every year, usually in an office setting, millions of | | | | worry that it won't be liked, because no one knows |
| people get together to take part in the Secret Santa | | | | who bought what and there is usually a limit on the |
| gift exchange. This game is perfectly suited to an | | | | price of a gift. |
| office environment, and it is rare that a workplace | | | | While it is called Secret Santa in Canada, the United |
| does not participate in it. Secret Santa replaces the | | | | States and Britain, it goes by other names in other |
| hum drum of regular gift giving. Also, it is more cost | | | | countries. In Australia and New Zealand, it is Kris Kindle. |
| effective, especially if you work in a large office where | | | | In Brazil, it is Amigo Secreto, and in other Latin |
| buying everyone a gift could cost you hundreds of | | | | American countries it is Amigo Invisible. |
| dollars, and you may not even like everyone you have | | | | Of course, with any popular traditions, there are some |
| to buy for. | | | | variations of it. There is the Thieving Secret Santa, or |
| The concept of Secret Santa is very simple. You | | | | Yankee Swap, in which gifts are wrapped to disguise |
| have a group of people who have picked a name out | | | | their identity. Then someone will choose a gift, and the |
| of a hat. Each person must then buy a gift for the | | | | next person can either steal that gift or choose a new |
| person they drew, without telling them who the gift is | | | | one. This is very popular in offices and can create |
| from. This can take the form of small multiple gifts | | | | some intense competition and strategy. |
| rather the just one gift. Buying gifts at a dollar store is | | | | Stolen Santa is like Secret Santa, except the gifts are |
| a good option. Then you can leave small gifts | | | | often stolen or illegally attained. In an office setting, |
| everyday for the person to find. They will be surprised | | | | participants will steal office supplies from the |
| and will try to guess who is sending them the gifts. | | | | workplace to add humor to the entire event. |
| Another variation is that all the items are all parts of a | | | | Sometimes, to prevent problems with inappropriate |
| larger gift, or that they are all gifts that follow the same | | | | gifts, there will be a referee who has the knowledge |
| theme. They can be clues to a final larger gift as well. | | | | of who is giving what to whom, allowing them to make |
| It is very popular in a work setting because it ensures | | | | sure that nothing that could cause a sexual |
| that no one is under pressure to get a big gift, or | | | | harassment case. |