The psychologist spoke about the benefits of the "Secret Santa" for the team

The practice of exchanging gifts according to the "Secret Santa" scheme can be an effective tool for strengthening team spirit and building horizontal ties in the team. However, as psychologist Tatiana Smirnova noted in an interview with Izvestia on December 4, the success of this initiative directly depends on the level of employee cohesion and clear organizational rules.

"Attitudes towards such activities are traditionally divided into two types: some people see them as an unnecessary waste of time and money, while others see them as a valuable opportunity to feel the festive atmosphere and children's joy," she said.

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Employees at all levels participate in the gift exchange on a voluntary basis. In her opinion, this practice helps to establish informal communications and strengthen mutual respect within disparate units.

The expert calls the mandatory setting of a clear price range for gifts a key condition for preventing awkward situations and insults. This allows you to avoid an imbalance when one employee gives a symbolic souvenir, and another — an expensive gift. As an additional measure that increases the satisfaction of participants, it can be a collection of wishes, similar to a letter to Santa Claus, which has proven itself particularly well in practice.

Smirnova emphasizes that the imposition of tradition in a loose team, where there is no developed corporate culture, can have the opposite effect and lead to disappointment. The decision to participate must be entirely voluntary.

"If all the conditions are met — volunteerism, a clear financial framework and a general positive atmosphere — Secret Santa can become a significant event that strengthens team relations and creates a sense of a common holiday," she concluded.

On the same day, family psychologist Daria Salnikova told us how to survive the New Year's rush and celebrate the holiday happily. A calm December begins with reasonable planning: you should not postpone everything for the last 10 days, and now you can do something that saves time and nerves, for example, order gifts without fuss and queues. According to her, such preparation helps to choose the right things, meet the budget and gradually adjust to the holidays.

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