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Secret Santa is a popular secret gift-giving game enjoyed by many employees at work.
However, the annual holiday tradition can be hit or miss depending on how invested participants are in the ritual.
For TikToker @PearlMinks, taking part in Secret Santa at her workplace was a huge disappointment, and she vowed never to participate again in the future after she received a shocking gift item in return for her thoughtful gift.
A Black TikToker refused to take part in Secret Santa at any workplace in the future after
Minks–who is Black–spent roughly $56 on a bundle of gifts for her Secret Santa recipient that included a bottle of Bartenura Moscato Di Asti Sparkling Wine and an assortment of Bath & Body products like body cream, fragrance mist, and a candle.
What she got in return from her anonymous gift-giver was a six-pack of Pop! Glitter Glue Pens, a 14-pack of Pop! Glitter Shakers–both of which can be found at JOANNE for a combined total of $13.
She also received The Story of Ruby Ridges by Robert Coles–a book valued at $8 on Amazon that tells the story of a young Black girl facing discrimination from her classmates after a judge ordered her to integrate into an all-White school in New Orleans during segregation.
Minks posted a TikTok video showing the items she gifted versus what she received.
She said:
"I will not be participating at Secret Santa anymore at any job, any workplace ever again."
TikTokers were appalled over the tone-deaf gift.
@pearlminks/TikTok
@pearlminks/TikTok
@pearlminks/TikTok
@pearlminks/TikTok
@pearlminks/TikTok
Others were compelled to share their own Secret Santa horror stories.
@pearlminks/TikTok
@pearlminks/TikTok
@pearlminks/TikTok
@pearlminks/TikTok
In a follow-up video, Minks explained that the Secret Santa participants did not write down who the gifts were from but indicated who they were for.
She also commented that the rules involved:
"a $20 budget in place along with a list of 5 things the person liked within budget for everyone."
Holding up the children's book, Minks told viewers:
“When I opened my gift, and I seen this book, I immediately felt some type of way because why the f'k … would you buy this for somebody?”
Minks said some of her colleagues "seen the frustration" on her face and asked if she was okay.
"I didn't want to make a big deal," she recalled, adding that she thought it was "a prank."
When she took the items back home in the bag they came in, she said she found a Trader Joe's receipt inside identifying the culprit.
She said the person who gave her the items was a White person with whom she had a "situation" before.
“They literally stood behind me and literally sneezed over my shoulder,” she recalled of the individual, adding:
“I guess they felt embarrassed. And ever since then, [there’s] been a little tension."
Looking at the receipt she found later and realizing who the gift-giver was, Minks said she definitely "felt some type of way."
Minks felt validated for her reaction after reading through the supportive comments to her TikTok video.
Minks ended the video by saying she planned to "definitely take it to the next level" by going to HR.
The TikToker also reiterated the fact that she was not upset over the value of the gifts she received as she was happy to overspend in the first place.