2025 Secret Santa at WPRiders: Culture, Chaos, and Surprisingly Perfect Gifts
Last Updated: December 23, 2025
The 2025 Secret Santa just happened at WPRiders. It has officially become one of those traditions we look forward to every year, especially because we’re a remote team spread across countries, time zones, and delivery networks that sometimes behave like they’re running on dial-up.
This year, we kept it simple and fun: people signed up on DrawNames, set up wishlists, and (in true chaotic-good fashion) a few teammates chose the bold “surprise me” route – because nothing says holiday spirit like trusting your coworkers with your destiny.
What makes this work year after year isn’t the gifts themselves. It’s the culture behind it: paying attention, remembering the small details, and somehow managing to pick things that feel oddly accurate, like we’re all quietly running a background process called “I know what you’d actually love.”
The Gifts
Felicia – Premium Cutting Board Set
Felicia was the first to get her gift, and honestly, it set the bar immediately. She wished for a premium cutting board set and got exactly that, proof that Santa is real, and he respects well-written wishlists.
Also: if Felicia starts meal-prepping like a Michelin chef after this, we’ll know why.
Andrei – Formula 1 LEGO Set
Next up: Andrei. He received a Formula 1 LEGO set, which was basically destined to happen. It’s the perfect addition to his collection. And yes, it’s another case of “boys and toys,” but in the most wholesome way.
If you hear someone say: “I’ll join the meeting right after I finish this last piece,” mind your business.
Alexandra – Storm Drop
Alexandra got a Storm Drop, which is both practical and suspiciously appropriate. As an HR manager, anything that helps prevent “future storms” in the company is basically an operational upgrade.
Consider it HR’s version of a security patch: small tool, big impact.
Raluca – NUXE Set
Raluca received a NUXE set, aka “every girl’s dream,” in a neat little box. It’s the kind of gift that says: “You deserve to relax,” while quietly implying: “Please do not open Asana for at least 12 hours.”
Oraldo – Headset
Oraldo got a headset, which is an excellent remote-work gift… and then the delivery decided to become the real main character.
Plot twist: the store was in the same city where Oraldo lives in Albania, yet the shipment took almost two weeks. At that point, it wasn’t shipping; it was character development.
The good news: once it finally arrived, Oraldo was fully equipped for calls, focus time, and (hopefully) fewer “Can you hear me now?” moments than the delivery status updates.
Marius – Fancy Belt + Waffle Maker
Marius was informed, by reality, that Santa “does not deliver in Switzerland.” So he had to wait until he came to Romania. But the wait paid off: a fancy belt and a waffle maker.
A combination that basically says: “Be stylish. Also, make breakfast legendary.” His wife and kids are the real winners here.
Dragoș – Steam Gift Card
Dragoș received a Steam gift card, which will likely be transformed into Civilization 7 at the first responsible opportunity.
Who would’ve guessed an art lover is also a geek? Answer: everyone who’s ever seen how quickly “just 10 minutes” becomes three hours.
Mustafa – Smart Watch
Mustafa got a smart watch to track time on his around-the-world travels, which is great, because when you travel that much, time becomes a social construct.
Now he can track steps, flights, and possibly how many times he says “quick trip” before disappearing across continents.
Gabi – Dexter Tool Bag
Lastly, Gabi received a Dexter tool bag. Again: boys and their toys, but this one comes with real “I can fix that” energy.
Some people collect gadgets. Gabi collects solutions. The tool bag just makes it official.
Why This Matters (Beyond the Gifts)
Secret Santa isn’t just a cute holiday moment. It’s one of those small rituals that reinforces what we value at WPRiders: connection, attention to people, and the kind of team culture where you can be remote and still feel genuinely included.
We laughed, we waited for deliveries, we admired LEGO engineering, and we collectively learned (again) that shipping rules are sometimes more mysterious than the gift exchange itself.
Until next year: may your wishlist be clear, your Santa be attentive, and your delivery network be slightly less dramatic.
