Secret Santa is a fun festive tradition where each person in a group of friends or colleagues secretly buys a gift for someone else. If you don’t plan it right or do your research on the best Secret Santa gift ideas, it can result in a last-minute panic for the buyer and an unwanted novelty gift for the recipient.
You’re not alone in worrying about finding the best Secret Santa gift. To help spark inspiration, we’ve listed the perfect gifts for every type of person — foodies, hard workers, home lovers and good friends — with tips to make the purchasing process as painless as possible.
Tip
‘Secret Santa’ (in the US and UK) is also known as ‘Kris Kringel’ (Ireland, Australia and Canada) and ‘Amigo Secreto’ (in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries).
Why buying for Secret Santa can be hard work
Because it happens at Christmas, when you may already have family get-togethers, festive nights out and a long list of presents to buy, Secret Santa isn’t always easy. Stores can be feverish, packed with shoppers and draped in decorations. Plus, you have to work within an agreed budget and you may be buying for a colleague or acquaintance who you don’t know very well, meaning your gift has to be fun but not inappropriate.
Tip
If you’re the Secret Santa organizer, remember that not everyone has the same cash to spend and make sure the budget works for everyone. If it’s difficult for everyone to draw names from a hat, there are plenty of free generator apps.
Our advice? Instead of frantically rushing around stores at lunchtime or panic buying online, browse lists for inspiration and start brainstorming Secret Santa gift ideas as soon as you know who the recipient is. We’ve organized our guide into categories to help you pick the perfect gift for even the most impossible to buy for.
Best gifts for foodies
Food-related gifts are super-Christmassy and make a great Secret Santa gift. They can also often be shared with colleagues or family (as well as with the gift-giver, if you’re lucky).
1. Personalize every sip with a glass (under $20)
Is the recipient a wine buff who loves nothing more than relaxing with a glass of their favorite tipple? Or perhaps they’re known for their love of cocktails or fresh juice? Gifts like these stemless etched wine glasses, costing $17.99 per unit, can be monogrammed with initials for an added personal touch.
Source: Personalized etched stemless wine glasses via VistaPrint
2. …or a mug (under $20)
Alternatively, if your Secret Santa is more of a coffee or tea drinker, you can customize a mug for $13.29 to feature a photo, special message or name. In a shared office space, that means you’re not just giving the recipient a personalized mug — you’re making sure no one has an excuse for using their mug in future.
Source: Personalized mugs via VistaPrint
3. Feast on a food hamper (cost varies)
Hampers can be as big, luxurious and Christmassy as you like. You can also just head to a deli or specialist shop, using what you know about the recipient’s tastes as a starting point to select a few food items. For example, if they like Spanish food, chorizo or churros are fun choices. The best hampers contain a good mix of different foods (so they’re bound to like something in it) and can be tailored to any likes and dislikes.
Source: Blast from the past sweets hamper via Keico
4. Think laterally with a cap (under $15)
There’s nothing wrong with being literal with Secret Santa, but knowing what the recipient likes can also be a springboard to other gift ideas. How about a recipe book for a specific cuisine? Or nodding to their love of a particular food by getting it printed on clothing, like a custom cap (from $12.70) featuring the company logo of their favorite snack?
Tip
Custom gifts are a lovely way to tailor the present to the person. Our guide to the best personalized Christmas gift ideas is packed with inspiration.
5. Find a new angle on the daily grind (under $25)
Does your housemate or colleague rely on their morning cup of coffee to get them through the day? Rather than just browsing high-end bags of beans, consider gifting them a single-serve French press and a small bag of coffee. Or help them keep their desk clean with a set of four photo coasters for $21.99.
Source: Photo coasters via VistaPrint
6. Condiments are the kings of Christmas (under $10)
Condiments like chutney, mustard or hot sauce can last all year, meaning they don’t have to be eaten in the Christmas period. They can pep up leftovers or turn a TV dinner or a desk-sandwich into a tastier treat. Small sauce bottles are great for Secret Santa — they’re often affordable and may give the recipient a taste of a new favorite.
Source: TRUFF Mini Original Hot Sauce via TRUFF
7. Stay warm with a favorite drink (under $25)
Christmas is about being merry and for many people warm festive drinks are at the heart of that. Custom insulated bottles come in a range of different styles, shapes and materials, from sports-style to larger stainless steel vacuum flasks ($22.45 per unit) that will keep the recipient’s hot chocolate or mulled wine warm on a winter’s walk.
Source: Custom insulated bottle via VistaPrint
8. …or give your beer a cool makeover (under $10)
Meanwhile, a bottle or can cooler — basically an insulated jacket for their favorite brew — can keep the lucky recipient’s cold drinks frosty for only $6.25. Make this Secret Santa gift fun and personal with a humorous photo or message.
Source: Custom can cooler via VistaPrint
Tip
Don’t assume everyone likes the same thing. A bottle of craft beer isn’t a great gift if they don’t drink, meat products are an obvious no for vegetarians. Naughty jokes may appeal less to people if they go against their faith or way of life. If in doubt, ask around to find out what they like and what they don’t!
Best gifts for hard workers
We all know someone who sends emails when they should be tucked up in bed or is halfway through that report before anyone else has logged in. If your friend or colleague never seems to be off their email or out of the office, consider brightening their workday with one of these thoughtful Secret Santa gifts.
9. A pen with a personal touch (under $10)
Whether it’s used to create to-do lists or mark up documents, a pen can be more tactile and practical than a digital device. A custom engraved ballpoint gives you that for $4.19, plus the chance to adorn it with the recipient’s name, initials or a short message for a great Secret Santa gift.
Source: Engraved pen gift via VistaPrint
10. Journal your way through the day (under $10)
Journaling has become increasingly popular in recent years, with celebs and psychologists extolling its benefits. For as little as $5.99, gift a bespoke journal featuring a design or personal mantra to make the contents feel even more important, whether they’re filling it with their deepest thoughts or meeting notes.
Source: Custom notebooks via VistaPrint
11. Keep it in perspective with blue light blocking glasses (under $20)
Yours, mine and definitely your work-obsessed friend’s eyes are increasingly glued to screens. Specialist glasses can help by blocking out the blue light, giving the recipient’s eyes a break when they’re still at their desks while everyone else is winding down.
12. Inject some fun into a mouse mat or USB stick (under $10)
Secret Santa gift ideas for workaholics are often about injecting a bit of fun into the work day. Most people don’t think twice about their mouse mats, but a personalized photo mouse pad ($9.95) with a picture of a recent office get-together, a friend’s party or a great view you shared on vacation can bring a welcome spark to everyday admin. A custom USB flash drive with laser engraving for $8.01 is a neat alternative.
Source: Custom USB flash drive via VistaPrint
13. Succulents are a low-maintenance delight (under $30)
A plant can be a pretty short-lived Secret Santa gift if your recipient doesn’t water it. Enter succulents, which can survive on limited moisture, meaning even the most work-absorbed friend or colleague should be able to keep them alive. Greenery brings proven psychological benefits and you can get a gift box delivered right to your door in the mail.
Source: Gift pack of succulents by rahajoe via 99designs by Vista
Tip
Still not sure what to buy for your hard-grafting workmate? Find more inspiration in our list of Christmas coworker gift ideas.
Best gifts for home lovers
Christmas is all about a break from the grindstone, so if you have a friend or colleague who loves nothing more than a comfy night in or a weekend pottering about the house, consider leaning into their homey vibe with a photo gift they can enjoy at home.
Source: Custom cushions via VistaPrint
14. Kitchen gifts suit almost anyone (under $15)
If you don’t know the recipient that well, it can be best to keep things general. Just about everyone uses a fridge and washes the dishes (at least sometimes), making a classy but affordable tea towel or a fun selection of custom fridge magnets (ten for $14.99) easy but satisfying options.
Source: Tea towel via Fortnum & Mason
15. Pillows and cushions give a warm glow (under $25)
Comfort is big at Christmas and so a personalized pillow or cushion ($24.99) decorated with an image of the recipient’s pet, favorite place or an art design may be just the Secret Santa gift idea to give them a warm glow. If you’re buying it for a colleague, it could make the perfect desk chair cushion.
16. Give a puzzle with a twist (under $5)
Indoor games offer fun (or arguments) for the whole family. But Christmas can be a quiet time for some. Puzzles hit that sweet spot — they can be great for a group or one person. Give one with a twist: like a transparent puzzle that claims to be impossible.
Source: Transparent puzzle via Always personal
17. …or make them the puzzle (under $20)
If a transparent puzzle looks too fiendish, for just $20 you could give the recipient something more familiar, like a custom puzzle of their face, a favorite photo or a place they know well, giving them a head start.
Source: Custom puzzle via VistaPrint
18. Deck the halls with canvas prints (under $30)
If you’ve got a good picture of the recipient or their family, you can get it printed on canvas from $26.99 to fill an empty wall or desk space. If you don’t know them that well, you can always use a design or text instead of a photograph. Think of a slogan or mantra they live by.
Source: Custom canvas prints via VistaPrint
19. Keychains can be useful and fun (under $15)
A keychain can be a great gift for someone who’s always losing their keys. But customized keychains ($12.99) can also feature photos, fun messages or personal catchphrases, making the perfect Secret Santa gift that the recipient will carry with them in their pocket wherever they go.
Source: Custom keychain via VistaPrint
Best gifts for self-care
In the middle of all the flurry of gift-giving and trips to visit relatives, or the nights at home wondering if everyone else is having more fun than you, it’s important to look after yourself. These Secret Santa gift ideas are all about self-care.
20. Keep skin shining in the winter chill (under $20)
Chapped lips and dry hands can be a symptom of cold Christmas weather if you’re in the northern hemisphere. So lean into the season with products that beat the chill by gifting high-end lip balm or hand salve. Turn self-care into a jokey present by getting your own custom beauty products made to give as gifts all year round.
Source: Lip balm by PLVD via 99designs by Vista
21. Snug hats with a message (under $20)
A custom beanie (from $18.95) with a personalized message or design will help keep the recipient warm and is more personal than any old hat. Choose from cuffs and bobbles or broaden your search to include trucker caps (for that old-school hipster feel, from $17.76) or visors (for sports fans, costing around $20 for one).
22. Let them bathe in your genius gift (under $15)
Bathing products are a self-care gift that can work for almost anyone. Fun bottles with unusual scents are easy to track down, while a sampler set is a Secret Santa gift idea that might just inspire a future favorite.
23. Fill a tote-ally amazing gift bag (under $15)
Custom tote bags such as this one for $10.75 are eco-friendly and handy. Tailor them to self-care by printing a cozy picture or message on the bag and filling it with an assortment of pampering goodies or a voucher for a spa day, depending on your budget.
Source: Custom tote bag via VistaPrint
Best gifts if you know them well
Know your friend or colleague like you know the back of your hand? Buying this Secret Santa gift should be easy, but the pressure is on to get them a good one. Think about what they’re known for — do they have an (office) alter ego or do they have a reputation for a specific thing?
24. Use the big screen for inspo (under $20)
You know them, so use that intel and lean into their interests. If they love films, how about a movie poster, encyclopedia or scratch-off list?
Source: Scratch-off movie list via Uncommon Goods
25. Help them start their own library (under $15)
Do they love books? A custom stamp like this self-inking one for $11.99 personalized with their initials or name can help your friend to feel like they’re their own librarian. You could combine it with a book or two to help them build their collection.
Tip
If you’re buying for someone you don’t know well, recipe books or book-club-recommended novels have a good chance of hitting plenty of people’s interests. Books are also easy to regift or exchange (slip the bill between the book’s pages to make it extra easy).
Source: Custom stamp via VistaPrint
26. A calendar can make every month special (under $30)
If you’re close enough to have plenty of pics of the recipient, a custom wall calendar ($27.99) is a brilliant Secret Santa gift idea. With easy-to-manage templates, personalize the calendar using photos relevant to each month of their life.
Source: Custom calendar via VistaPrint
27. T-shirts can raise a big smile (under $20)
Buying for a friend is one of the few times that humor can work, not least because you’re less likely to get the tone wrong or offend them. Customize a cotton T-shirt from around $15 with an iconic photo or private joke for the perfect Secret Santa gift. Custom T-shirts come in a range of colors and styles, making them easy to tailor to your buddy.
Source: Custom T-shirts via VistaPrint
Best gifts for the impossible to please
Most Secret Santa recipients aren’t someone you know inside and out. Gently question those who know them better or go with gifts that are universally useful. These gifts will impress everyone from your most private colleague to the quiet one in the group.
28. Give a voucher with a difference (under $15)
A voucher or gift card gives your recipient the gift of choice. But it can feel like a bit of a cop-out as a Secret Santa gift, so why not go for a voucher that feels a bit different, like a tour of their town or city? Local businesses may also have schemes that feel more personal than a chain-store voucher. Alternatively, make a DIY voucher for an experience you know they’ll love.
29. Monogrammed scarves or coat (under $25)
Cold-weather clothing accessories are fairly universal and deeply Christmassy. Give gloves, mittens or a scarf a personal twist by customizing them with the recipient’s initials for around $20. This useful and thoughtful gift will be cherished for winters to come and is guaranteed to win any Secret Santa.
30. Go on the charge with phone accessories (under $15)
A charged phone is essential for almost everyone, making a power bank or wireless charger a decent Secret Santa gift idea for any recipient, especially if they enjoy travel or hiking. Try this gently rounded personalized wireless charging pad for $14.95 using a template or custom photo, depending on how close you are.
Tip
Wrapping paper and a thoughtful note can elevate any gift. Custom wrapping paper will get your recipient in the right mood before they’ve even opened your gift.
Buying on a budget
Budget limits are essential for Secret Santa, but they make buying gifts twice as hard. So how can you find the perfect gift at the right price?
- Sticking to the budget is part of the challenge and makes Secret Santa fair. Try not to go over or under more than 20% of the target amount.
- Use our guide to help you plan. Scan the list to see which gifts are priced under your assigned budget (you can purchase all of our proposed gifts for under $30).
- Start looking in advance to assess your options and snap up deals.
- Foodstuffs and fragrances are often sold in smaller gift packs, which may not last all year but give the recipient the chance to discover something new.
- Flea markets and deli counters are great for inspiration and can be a fun way to find something unique for an affordable price. If you start browsing early enough, you’re less likely to go over budget and won’t have to jump on the first potential gift you see.
Secret Santa buying made easy
Secret Santa gift-giving can be joyous but it can also be stressful. To keep it simple, we recommend thinking about what you can buy within your budget, considering who you’re buying for and using lists like this one for inspiration. And remember: everyone else is in the same boat as you and the perfect Secret Santa gift is hard to find. Focus on finding a fun and useful personalized Christmas gift and you never know — you might just find you get something good in return.
