Secret Santa is a lovely tradition right up until you draw the name of someone from accounts you have spoken to twice. The good news: the best Secret Santa gifts are simple, useful or a little bit fun, and they work for almost anyone. Here are 30 ideas sorted by the usual budgets.
Secret Santa gifts under £5
- A festive chocolate bar from a good brand.
- A pack of fun sticky notes.
- Hot chocolate sachets with mini marshmallows.
- A Christmas cracker-style puzzle.
- A small succulent.
- Lip balm in a winter flavour.
- A keyring torch.
- Instant coffee upgrades — a sample of speciality sachets.
Secret Santa gifts under £10
- Speciality coffee or loose-leaf tea.
- A quality pen.
- A phone stand for the desk.
- Novelty socks — Christmas jumpers for feet.
- A mini desk game such as a pocket puzzle or desk basketball.
- A joke or trivia book.
- Hand cream in a nice tube.
- A small notebook and pen set.
- A selection of hot sauces.
- A festive mug.
Secret Santa gifts under £15
- A reusable coffee cup.
- A desk plant in a pretty pot.
- Wireless charging pad.
- A scented candle.
- A cosy pair of slipper socks.
- A board-game-in-a-tin for the office.
- Gourmet popcorn kit.
- A desk organiser for the chronically messy.
When you barely know them
- Chocolate or biscuits — nearly universal, easy to share.
- A plant that is hard to kill.
- A mug with good tea or coffee inside.
- A book token or coffee-shop voucher so they can choose.
How to run a Secret Santa nobody dreads
Set a clear budget — £5, £10 or £15 is typical in UK offices — and stick to it.
Use an online name-drawing tool so nobody pulls their own name and everyone can add a short wish list.
Ask for a few "no thank yous" — allergies, alcohol, scented products — so nobody gets something they can't use.
Keep jokes kind. Funny is great; anything about someone's age, weight or habits is not.
Make it optional. Not everyone can afford it or celebrates Christmas, and that is fine.
Add a card. A short, friendly note makes the gift feel thoughtful. See our Christmas messages for colleagues for easy wording.
Looking for slightly bigger presents? Try our Christmas gifts under £20.
What is the usual budget for Secret Santa in the UK?
Most UK offices set a budget of £5, £10 or £15. The most important thing is that everyone sticks to the same limit.
What do you get someone you don't know for Secret Santa?
Choose something almost everyone enjoys: chocolate, speciality tea or coffee, a hard-to-kill desk plant, or a coffee-shop voucher.
Should Secret Santa gifts be funny?
A little humour is fine, but keep it kind. Avoid jokes about someone's age, looks or habits — useful or tasty gifts are always safe.
