When I picked secret santa gifts for coworkers last year, I swore I’d never give another predictable mug or plant that dies in two weeks. I watched one awkward exchange where 7 people politely smiled at a box of bland office supplies and then stuck it straight into a drawer. That’s when I started hunting for a secret santa gift that actually landed and got used.
I grabbed the Butt Tape Dispenser because it promised one thing: reaction, not regret. It’s a funny desk accessory that breaks the ice, turns heads, and—importantly—doesn’t end up as clutter. Want to know how a ridiculous little dispenser became the highlight of our office gift exchange?
When I’d Actually Give This
I gave this as a Secret Santa for an office gift exchange and it smashed every awkward moment. It’s the kind of funny gift that’s perfect for guys who appreciate weird stuff, and it also works for lighthearted coworkers, my boss with a sense of humor, or that straight-faced teacher who secretly laughs at ridiculous office toys.
- Occasions it excels at: Secret Santa, office gift exchanges, going-away gifts for coworkers, white-elephant parties, and birthday desk surprises.
- Recipients who love it: coworkers who joke around, desk-bound people who appreciate everyday use items, novelty lovers, and anyone who’s impossible to shop for.
- Why it wins: it creates a memory rather than another dusty token. For offices that trade in funny gifts and memorable moments, this beats a generic present every time.
Key Features That Actually Get Used
Here’s what sold me on this as a practical, not-just-cute present. Most funny office accessories blend into the background. This one doesn’t.
- Instant conversation starter – It’s designed to get a double-take and a laugh, which is exactly what you want in a Secret Santa exchange.
- Functional everyday use – It’s a tape dispenser. That means it’s not destined for a drawer; it sits on the desk and performs a real task.
- Adds personality to a workspace – The “butt station” vibe adds character without being offensive in most work cultures where light humor is fine.
- Compact and clutter-friendly – Small enough to live on a desk without hogging space, which is important for practical gifters who hate clutter.
- Looks good unwrapped – It arrives as a ready-made novelty; unwrapping it in front of a group gets the reaction you paid for.
Mistakes I See People Make With Gifts Like This
I’ve watched well-meaning gifters mess this up, so here’s what I’d avoid.
- Buying it for the wrong crowd – If your office is ultra-formal or has a strict policy on workplace decorum, this might not land. I skip it for corporate-only environments where humor is risky.
- Packaging it like a gag only – If you present it as a throwaway joke, some recipients toss it aside. I balance it by pairing it with a practical note or a small roll of premium tape.
- Assuming everyone gets the joke – Know your recipient. I wouldn’t give it to a new hire I don’t know well. For my close team members it’s perfect.
- Overthinking personalization – You don’t need to monogram this. Its strength is the laugh plus usability, not sentimentality.
How I Turned This Into A Memorable Secret Santa
I don’t just drop it in a box. I make the whole moment count with a few simple moves that anyone can copy:
- Wrap with a twist – I wrap it in plain brown paper and stick a bright, cheeky label on top. The reveal is half the fun.
- Add a small practical – I include a roll of good-quality tape and a short note: “For sticking together the team – and bad ideas.” Practical gift + laugh = less chance it becomes clutter.
- Deliver in person – If it’s a Secret Santa reveal, hand it over during the exchange so people can react. The shared laugh is part of the value.
- Follow up – A week later I’ll mention it in passing. “How’s the butt station working out?” That tiny follow-up keeps it in use and in the story of the office.
Buyer Doubts I Had (And How They Played Out)
If you’re hesitating, I get it. I had the same doubts before I bought it.
- Will they actually use this? Yes. The tape function means it lives on desks. In my office it moved from novelty to the go-to dispenser.
- Is it too basic or juvenile? It toes the line. For teams that enjoy playful gifts, it’s perfect. For strict or conservative workplaces, skip it.
- Is it personal enough? Not in a sentimental way. But it’s memorable and meaningful in the “we laughed together” sense, which works brilliantly for Secret Santa.
- What if they already have a tape dispenser? Odds are low that someone has this exact novelty. Even if they do, having a backup that sparks joy is never wasted in a busy office.
- Will it become clutter? Not usually. Because it’s useful, it avoids the drawer fate of kitschy gifts. I prefer gifts that earn their spot on the desk.
I’ll say it: this makes my short list for office gift exchanges and funny-but-useful present ideas. It’s a unique gift that avoids the “drawer of shame,” perfect for coworkers who love a laugh and a little practicality. Use it for Secret Santa, a going-away gift, or the person with everything—you’ll get a reaction and the item will actually see everyday use.
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