[LiteraryLark]

I'm hoping first if anyone can relate, then second, what advice you would have for my concerns.

I have always had stage fright from opening presents in front of people...every birthday and special occasion my heart beats out of my chest, there's a lump in my throat and I feel like I can't breathe when people watch me open gifts. I get insanely nervous about opening gifts, even though I always end up happy with what I get.

So I am especially nervous this year because I signed up for Secret Santa at my work for the first time and everyone will be there opening their gifts together. My Secret Santa might be watching me open my gift. And my coworkers might be asking me to show them what I got. To me, it's so terrifying. It literally feels like stage fright. I can't even think about secretly opening it, I have to open my gift with everyone in the room including my Secret Santa.

Does anyone have any advice on not necessarily overcoming the fear but I guess just the best way to handle opening a Secret Santa gift with the fear that I have? Thank you.

[Crazy Hitch]

Firstly, show appreciation for the gift.

If you secretly don’t like it, don’t say that. Especially if your SS is watching you.

Simply smile and say ‘how thoughtful’.

[lizardlady]

Lark, would it be possible to quickly rip the paper off your gift while people are focused on someone else?

Agree with Crazy Hitch. Regardless what you get smile a big ole smile and act appreciative.

[LiteraryLark]

Yes, I have to remember that the person thought of me when they picked out the gift, which I know is the point of Secret Santa. Thank you for that, Crazy Hitch.

LL, I think my plan is to pick out and open my gift while everyone is opening up theirs. I'm the quiet one at work so like you both said, extra big smiles when I open the gift.

Christmas is the hardest season for my PTSD, but this year I've been my most cheerful, so maybe this could be a really good experience for me and not something to be nervous about at all.

Thank you to you both!

[lizardlady]

Something to consider.... everyone else is going to be focused on what they got instead of you.

[splitimage]

We do a Secret Santa, in my housing, and honestly I don't think anyone pays any attention to other people opening their gifts. this is just how we do it, the gifts are distributed to everyone and everyone opens their gifts at approximately the same time. So no one is in the spotlight. This might not be true for you, depending on how your work does it, but I do think people are much more interested in their gifts than in watching other people.


And as has already been said a big smile, and a thank you once you've opened it will go a long way. People may ask you what you got. It's ok to just hold it up to show which might be easier than talking if your anxious and saying something like "isn't it great"

[LiteraryLark]

I am happy to report that my Secret Santa exchange went smoothly. It all happened so fast, but I remembered to have big smiles and they were genuine smiles. I was very gracious to my Secret Santa and thanked them. Only a couple people asked me to show them my gift and I was very excited as I showed them. Afterwards, I took a long break to decompress. It was high energy and happened very fast but I truly enjoyed myself. Thank you to everyone who helped me prepare for this event and helped make it fun and enjoyable.

[Crazy Hitch]

It sounds just perfect!

[lizardlady]

That's great news Lark.