Secret Santa Rules & Diplomatic Rebuttals at Work
CEFR: B2
Read/Listen first
Yesterday, I was setting up our office Secret Santa while we were wrapping up a project update. The price limit is 25 euros, yet I have found a gift that costs a bit more. Although it feels perfect, I think we should respect the rule and keep it discreet if we go over budget. While I was comparing options online, a colleague suggested including a gift receipt so the person can swap the item without seeing the price. We’ve already agreed that nobody must expect the same value back, so it would be unfair to make it a competition. If someone plays devil’s advocate and challenges your choice, you could give a calm rebuttal: “From my perspective, the limit avoids awkwardness.” Before the exchange, I’m going to email the team on behalf of our manager to confirm the rules and the deadline. Unless we communicate clearly, a small misunderstanding could blow up in our face and start the season on the wrong foot.⚡ Learning goals
- Can explain and justify office rules (budget, receipts) without sounding judgmental.
- Can disagree politely and defend a choice using softening phrases in a rebuttal.
- Can write a short confirmation message on behalf of a manager and set clear expectations.
✨ Key language
- From my perspective, … “From my perspective, the limit avoids awkwardness.”
- I see your point, but … “I see your point, but we should stick to the limit.”
- Unless we…, … could … “Unless we confirm the rules, it could create confusion.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Past continuous + while
Rule: Use was/were + -ing to show background action, often with while.Examples: I was setting up Secret Santa while we were wrapping up the update; While I was comparing options online, I checked the price limit; We were discussing the deadline while I was drafting the email.
Common pitfall + fix: Using past simple for background — use past continuous to show the action was in progress.
Choose the best option: “Yesterday, I ___ our office Secret Santa while we were wrapping up a project update.”
Tip: Use past continuous for a background action in progress.
Fill with the best answer: “Yesterday, I was setting up Secret Santa while we ____ a project update.”
Tip: Keep the same “in progress” meaning on both sides of while.
2️⃣ Present perfect for recent experience
Rule: Use have/has + past participle to link a recent action to now (result is relevant).Examples: I have found a gift that costs a bit more; We’ve already agreed on the rule; I’ve learned that a clear price limit prevents tension.
Common pitfall + fix: Adding a finished time (“yesterday”) — use present perfect without a finished time reference.
Choose the best option: “I ___ a gift that costs a bit more.”
Tip: Present perfect highlights the result that matters now.
Fill with the best answer: “I ____ found a gift that costs a bit more.”
Tip: Use have/has + past participle.
3️⃣ Modals for advice and boundaries
Rule: Use modals to express advice (should), prohibition (mustn’t), and polite options (could).Examples: We should respect the rule; Nobody must expect the same value back; You could give a calm rebuttal.
Common pitfall + fix: Using must for advice — use should for recommendations.
Choose the best option: “Although it feels perfect, we ___ respect the rule.”
Tip: Use should for advice, not strict obligation.
Fill with the best answer: “Nobody ____ expect the same value back.”
Tip: Use mustn’t for a strong boundary.
4️⃣ Future “going to” + condition (unless)
Rule: Use be going to for planned actions; use unless to express a condition (“if not”).Examples: I’m going to email the team on behalf of our manager; Unless we communicate clearly, confusion could grow; Before the exchange, I’m going to confirm the deadline.
Common pitfall + fix: Mixing tenses after unless — keep it present simple in the condition clause.
Choose the best option: “Before the exchange, ___ email the team on behalf of our manager.”
Tip: Use going to for a plan you’ve already decided.
Fill with the best answer: “____ we communicate clearly, a misunderstanding could blow up in our face.”
Tip: Unless means “if not”.
✍️ Vocabulary
price limit
Meaning: the maximum amount you are allowed to spend.Synonyms: spending cap, budget ceiling
Chunk/Idiom: stick to the price limit
Example: We stuck to the price limit to avoid awkward comparisons.
Morphology: noun (limit), noun phrase (price limit)
Self-practice: Write one sentence setting a price limit for a team event.
gift receipt
Meaning: a receipt included with a gift so it can be exchanged without showing the price.Synonyms: exchange receipt, no-price receipt
Chunk/Idiom: include a gift receipt
Example: I included a gift receipt so the person could swap the item easily.
Morphology: noun (receipt), noun phrase (gift receipt)
Self-practice: Explain, in one sentence, why a gift receipt is useful.
devil’s advocate
Meaning: someone who argues the opposite side to test an idea, not because they truly disagree.Synonyms: contrarian voice, critical challenger
Chunk/Idiom: play devil’s advocate
Example: She played devil’s advocate to check whether our rule was fair.
Morphology: noun (advocate), idiom (play devil’s advocate)
Self-practice: Write one polite sentence to introduce a devil’s advocate point.
rebuttal
Meaning: a response that defends your position after someone challenges it.Synonyms: counterargument, response
Chunk/Idiom: give a calm rebuttal
Example: His rebuttal stayed calm, so the discussion remained friendly.
Morphology: noun (rebuttal), verb (rebut)
Self-practice: Write a two-line rebuttal starting with “From my perspective, …”.
on behalf of
Meaning: representing or acting for another person.Synonyms: representing, in place of
Chunk/Idiom: write on behalf of someone
Example: I wrote on behalf of our manager to confirm the deadline.
Morphology: prepositional phrase (on behalf of), noun (behalf)
Self-practice: Draft a short email opener using “on behalf of”.
blow up in your face
Meaning: to go badly wrong and cause problems for you.Synonyms: backfire, go wrong
Chunk/Idiom: it could blow up in our face
Example: If we ignore the rule, it could blow up in our face quickly.
Morphology: phrasal verb (blow up), idiom (blow up in your face)
Self-practice: Complete: “Unless we clarify the plan, it might ____.”
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
We’ve already agreed on a price limit, so let’s keep it simple.
While I was comparing gifts, I added a gift receipt just in case.
If you play devil’s advocate, offer your rebuttal calmly and professionally.
Unless we confirm the rules, the exchange could blow up in our face.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the best option: “I ___ a gift that costs a bit more.”
Tip: Present perfect links a recent action to now.
Choose the best option: “Although it feels perfect, we ___ respect the price limit.”
Tip: Should is advice, not strict obligation.
Fill with the best answer:
While I ____ options online, a colleague suggested a gift receipt.Tip: Use was/were + -ing with while.
Fill with the best answer:
Before the exchange, ____ email the team on behalf of our manager.Tip: Use going to for a planned action.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
In this lesson, “price limit” means…
Tip: Think about “maximum allowed amount”.
Why might someone play devil’s advocate?
Tip: It’s a way to challenge ideas safely.
Fill with the best answer:
I included a ____ so the person can exchange the item.Tip: It lets you exchange without showing the price.
Fill with the best answer:
I’m writing ____ our manager to confirm the deadline.Tip: It means you represent someone.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: We’ve got a 25-euro price limit—are you okay with sticking to it?B: Yes, and if someone challenges it, I’ll give a calm rebuttal from my perspective.
B: I’m going to email the team on behalf of our manager to confirm the deadline.
Why this matters:
Clear rules reduce tension. Softening phrases keep discussions professional. A short confirmation message prevents misunderstandings.Verb & Adjective Pack:
stick to — “Let’s stick to the price limit.”swap — “You can swap it with a gift receipt.”
discreet — “Keep it discreet if you go over budget.”
confirm — “I’ll confirm the rules in writing.”
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: We ____ respect the price limit, although the gift is tempting.
Tip: Use advice, not strict obligation.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: I will email the team on behalf our manager.
Tip: Add of and use a planned future form.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
Unless we communicate clearly, it could blow up in our face.
Tip: Unless = “if not”, and could keeps it soft.