Secret Santa gift ideas guaranteed to be a hit
Secret Santa gift exchanges are super fun—and a little bit stressful. After all, it can be tricky to buy for someone who may not normally be on your gifting list and to find something that wows while staying under the price cap. There’s definitely an art to choosing the perfect Secret Santa gifts, but it’s not as difficult as you think. For colleagues, neighbors, book club members, or even close friends, it’s all about homing in on what you know about the person, even if it’s the tiniest nugget of information, and choosing a present that speaks to their interests and maybe incorporates a little humor. Or you can go with something that’s universally appealing and simply qualifies as a fabulous gift for any man or woman in your life.
We’ve got dozens of affordable and unique Secret Santa gift ideas for you to choose from, and even better, many of these gifts can be delivered at the last minute. If you’re looking for a white elephant gift, some of these gift ideas will certainly work, though you’ll also definitely want to take a look at these gag gifts that will get anyone laughing.
Oster Cordless Wine Opener and Chiller
Best for: Wine lovers
Raise a glass to this sleek two-in-one device that they won’t believe cost you less than $30. Oster’s electric wine opener gets the job done with the touch of a button, and then provides a handy place to keep your bottle perfectly chilled—no ice necessary!
Erin Condren Vision Journal
Best for: Go-getters
This spiral journal will encourage anyone with a big goal to go for it. Filled with inspirational quotes, as well as brainstorming and reflection pages, this notebook will guide them through the process of achieving their goals in a way that isn’t overwhelming. It also makes a thoughtful gift for a sister who could use a little nudge in the right direction.
Euka Wellness Shower Bombs
Best for: Spa devotees
Make every day an at-home spa day with this six-pack of organic shower bombs. Made with a special blend of essential oils in refreshing scents, this aromatherapy product will open their airways and calm them down. Not a bad way to start the day!
Zox Wanderlust Bracelet
Best for: Jet-setters
With its lovely map design and the word wanderlust emblazoned on it, this eye-catching reversible bracelet will make them want to plan their next adventure. You can give it as is or add charms to make it stand out even more. Even better, it’s made from recycled water bottles, so you can feel extra good about giving this eco-friendly gift.
Personalized Engraved Cutting Board
Best for: The happily hitched
Who says you can’t find an inexpensive personalized gift for a Secret Santa gift exchange? You’re Santa—you can do anything! With a little help from Etsy, that is. This sustainably sourced natural hardwood cutting board can be engraved with your recipient’s name and even a special date, and those little details will make a big impact.
Wild Fable Blanket Scarf
Best for: Women who love getting cozy
How do we love this scarf? Let us count the ways. It’s chic, it’s comfy, and it’s well-priced, for starters. Plus, it works for all types of women (and hey, everyone needs a scarf in the winter!), so you really can’t go wrong here. If she’s the type who’s always cold, you also can’t go wrong with a throw blanket or a warm pair of socks.
Deborah Lippmann Lip & Nail Duet
Best for: Beauty buffs
Available in 11 colors, this two-piece set from celebrity nail guru Deborah Lippmann comes with a CBD-infused lip gloss and a treatment-enriched nail polish. The top-notch polish gives nails a gel-manicure look without the damage, while the gloss has hyaluronic acid to promote plumper, healthier lips.
Sequin Moorish Blush Bangle Bracelet
Best for: Women who adore accessorizing
The very definition of pretty in pink, this bracelet will add a touch of glitz and glam to both casual and professional looks. It’s made of enamel, crystals, and gold electroplate, and if you want to splurge, stack it with other coordinating bracelets. This would also make an excellent gift for your trendy sister-in-law, so you might want to add more than one to your cart!
Inky and Indigo Custom Dog Mug
Best for: Dog lovers
For your neighbor who’s always on those early-morning dog walks, this pretty much sums it up! You can fully customize this mug not just with names but also dog breeds and the owner’s look—gender, hair color, favorite T-shirt color, and all! They’ll love this Secret Santa gift idea almost as much as their pup. Almost.
Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker
Best for: Those with a sweet tooth
Imagine their joy when they realize they can make ice cream at home—any time they’d like! With this handy kitchen gadget, they can also control what goes into it, whether they want to make their sweet treat dairy-free, sugar-free, or vegan. It also makes slushies and frozen margaritas, so hopefully, this gift will score you an invite to their next gathering.
The Pioneer Woman Cookbook Holder
Best for: Home chefs
Rustic and ornate, this pretty cookbook holder will elegantly display their favorite recipes while whipping up dinner or dessert. It has a vintage flair the Pioneer Woman is known for, and it’s made of sturdy acacia wood that easily wipes clean easily.
PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier
Best for: Allergy sufferers
“Just breathe.” That’s a common wellness phrase, but that’s easier said than done in some settings. This tiny but mighty air purifier from PureZone can change all that, reducing smoke, pet dander, dust, or pollen in the air with its carbon-activated pre-filter and HEPA filter.
Old World Christmas Peace Sign Ornament
Best for: Ornament collectors
This sweet ornament features the peace symbol reimagined in a shiny rainbow of colors. Not only would it be a gorgeous addition to any tree, but it would also look picture-perfect hanging as decor in a home office. While we’re on the subject, these DIY Christmas ornaments will make your tree (or theirs) extra special.
Blogilates Starter Fit Kit
Best for: Newbie fitness enthusiasts
If you know your Secret Santa giftee wants to get fit in the new year, why not give them all the tools they need? This starter kit from Blogilates comes with a massage ball, yoga mat, yoga strap, and three resistance body bands. If you know someone else who would love this and you can afford to splurge a little, pair it with some comfy leggings or workout shorts.
Quartet Glass Desktop Computer Pad
Best for: Organizers
Got a neat freak in the office whose desk is always immaculate and perfectly organized? This is the Secret Santa gift idea you’re looking for. The top of this computer pad is made of marble and a glass dry-erase board, and there’s storage space underneath for dry-erase markers and other accessories. It fits right between the monitor and keyboard, and it was specifically designed to lay at an angle that’s just right for reading and writing. This would be a cool and useful gift for your husband if he’s a workaholic.
Tommy Bahama Nautical Stripe Paddleball Set
Best for: Active types
If they love entertaining in their backyard, they’ll adore this colorfully striped paddleball set that comes with two wooden paddles and waterproof balls. If they already have one, check out these other backyard games sure to be a hit.
Remington Pro 1-Inch Multi-Styler
Best for: The one with great hair
This brilliant multitasking device offers the choice to straighten or curl hair or create the perfect beachy waves. It also has a heat sensor to protect hair from damage. It’s similar to the covetable Dyson Airwrap—but it’s a fraction of a cost.
Sistain Body Dry Brush
Best for: Trend followers
Not familiar with dry brushing? Celebs from Elle Macpherson to Candace Cameron Bure rave about this beauty trick that improves circulation and uncovers glowing skin. Made of bamboo, this sturdy dry brush from Sistain should be used on—you guessed it—dry skin one to two times per week for next-level exfoliation.
Yogibo Traybo 2.0 Laptop Desk
Best for: Work-at-home types
Who needs a desk when you have a lap desk? If they like to switch up their scenery while they work, this fabric and bamboo tech accessory will be a lifesaver. It’s designed to conform perfectly to any lap, and it has a built-in groove to hold a tablet or smartphone, too. Plus, it comes in five colors, so you can choose the one that best matches their home office decor.
Sony Extra Bass Compact Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
Best for: Music lovers
They can take the party with them wherever they go if they have this Bluetooth wireless speaker. With extra bass for a deeper sound and a sound diffusion processor, this affordable tech gift provides seriously good sound, despite its tiny size. Plus, it’s waterproof and comes in four colors, from yellow to coral.
Iris Personal Fan
Best for: Those who run hot
If they’re always complaining about the heat, this quiet fan will give them the cooling relief they so desperately desire. It works for the office or a bedroom, and it’s so light, they can easily tote it from room to room, depending on their needs that day.
Cold Spring Apothecary Well Being Bath Soak
Best for: Bathing beauties
Made with dead sea salts, echinacea, and juniper berries, this relaxing bath soak detoxes and boosts immunity—something that’s perfect for the winter months. Plus, it soothes aches and pains, making it particularly fabulous after an intense workout, and it promotes a greater sense of well-being, which anyone can appreciate!
Things They Don’t Teach You in School Trivia Game
Best for: People who love game night
With more than 400 questions, this trivia game is ideal for your office party or your next family gathering. Want to know why the Mona Lisa doesn’t have eyebrows or when shampoo was invented? We bet you do now! This is one of those Secret Santa gift ideas that also makes a great stocking stuffer for family members, not to mention a fun Christmas activity once all the presents are opened.
World Market Fire Truck Hot Sauce Sampler
Best for: Those who like it hot
This six-piece sampler seems tailor-made for the person who always orders the hottest dish on the menu. Set their taste buds on fire (you know, in a good way) with green, orange, habanero, smoke, garlic, and red hot sauces. They’ll need just the littlest bit for a huge impact, so this affordable gift should last a long time.
Lasko Space Heater
Best for: Coworkers who are always cold
They might actually stop wearing their bulky winter coat in the office if they have a Lasko on their desk. This space heater is just six inches high and four inches wide, and it will provide the perfect burst of heat when they need it most. Bonus: Since it’s low wattage, it can be plugged in anywhere. Gifts for coworkers can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered!
ProCase Laptop Bag
Best for: People who never leave home without their laptop
This fan-favorite laptop sleeve, which has more than 23,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, is sleek, stylish, and does its job of protecting 14- to 15.6-inch laptops. Plus, at under $20, its price point is on point for a Secret Santa gift. For a different type of bag, check out these laptop backpacks for every style and budget.
Ella + Mila Holiday Kiss Gift Set
Best for: Clean-beauty fans
This “17-Free” brand doesn’t contain any of the bad stuff that’s dangerous to the environment or you, and it doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients either. These festive colors in this trio make add just the right amount of pizzazz during the holiday season—and all year long. This can even be a great stocking stuffer idea for your teen.
Danya B. Glass Terrarium
Best for: Plant lovers
Plants have been scientifically proven to boost joy and creativity. Give the gift of green and glam with this sophisticated geometric glass-and-brass terrarium that will look lovely on any desk or windowsill. This might also make a great gift for your boss.
Words to Live By
Best for: People who religiously recite their morning affirmations
Talk about some serious empowerment: All the inspirational quotes in this book are by women, and it could be just the boost the woman you know needs on a particularly tough day. When it comes to reading material, you also can’t go wrong with a fabulous coffee table book.
Calm Sleep Mist Pillow Spray
Best for: The stressed-out
If their office is high energy and high stress, they need a good night of sleep—but that’s not always easy to get after the kind of day they may have had. A spritz of this calming mist, however, will help send them off to dreamland with lavender, frankincense, chamomile, and clary sage essential oils.
Demdaco Thankful Heart Keeper
Best for: Trinket keepers
With the word thankful engraved on top, this heart-shaped trinket holder and keepsake dish will remind them to count their blessings each day.
The Happy Planner Modern Meow Planner
Best for: Cat lovers
“All you need is love and a cat.” Truer words were never spoken, though we think the pet parent in your life also needs this planner. With a vertical layout, it has plenty of space for them to plan their life one week at a time.
Ella+Mila Cosmetic Bag
Best for: Manicure enthusiasts
If they hate traveling without all of their stuff, this is a Secret Santa gift idea you’ll want to check out. This bag holds an impressive 15 nail polishes, five brushes in designated slots, and an entire stash of nail-care or makeup essentials in the enclosed tray. Made of faux leather and nylon, it’s vegan-friendly and easy to keep clean, too.
Izo Mezcal Joven Cenizo
Best for: Hosts who like to play bartender
Handcrafted agave spirits? Yes, please! This bottle is as fancy as it sounds. Crafted sustainably from slow-roasted, wild agave hearts, this award-winning mezcal has a pure, sophisticated taste.
The Mandalorian Monopoly Game
Best for: Star Wars nerds
This is the way…to fun! This version of Monopoly will delight fans of The Mandalorian, who are eagerly waiting for season three to premiere on Disney+. Plus, is there anything cuter than Baby Yoda? Speaking of which, here are even more Baby Yoda gifts you’ll want to check out.
The Pioneer Woman Timeless Beauty Candy Dish
Best for: Candy lovers
With its scalloped design and decorative knob, this candy dish exudes a vintage vibe and beautifies any counter it sits on. If it’s not a fit for the kitchen, it can also be used to store beauty items in the bathroom or accessories in the bedroom.
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