As the holiday season approaches, so does the obligation to pick out thoughtful presents to show your loved ones how much you care. But the beloved Secret Santa tradition can leave even the most prepared gift giver scratching their head, wondering what to buy a coworker, acquaintance, or notoriously picky distant relative.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We put together a list of the best Secret Santa gift ideas that will make you the star of the Christmas party–without breaking the bank.
Nothing says, “holiday season” quite like a charcuterie board for grazing. This Bamboo Cheese Board Set is a practical gift for the recipient to use at Christmas parties and beyond. It lets them serve their favorite cheese and crackers in style.
Keep your loved one cozy all winter long with the Waitu Wearable Blanket Sweatshirt. With almost 40 colors available, the choice fits most preferences. Bring it along on a chilly camping trip or cuddle up with its soft polyester fabric in the living room.
The Oaksea Whiskey Globe Decanter makes an impression on the liquor enthusiast in your life. Made of crystal glass, it brings a touch of class to a home bar. The decanter embodies a subtle nautical theme, symbolically sending the recipient off to sea.
If you’re on the hunt for the best Secret Santa gift for a silly personality, then consider one of these figurines. The set includes five sloth figurines wearing holiday sweaters and striking yoga poses. These little companions are sure to get your giftee to crack a smile.
Give the gift of pampering with the Everyday Essentials Set from reliable self-care brand Burt’s Bees. It includes beeswax lip balm, cleansing cream, hand salve, body lotion, and foot cream. These items are travel-sized, too, which means they fit in both bathroom cabinets and luggage.
The Kusini Electric Fondue Pot Set appeals to those with a sweet tooth and savory snackers alike. The device lets foodies upgrade their date nights and family gatherings by simplifying the process of chocolate or cheese fondue. It’s safe for the dinner table and a breeze to clean.
After a long day, the new owner of this deep tissue massage gun will thank you for your foresight with this present. It’s useful to fitness enthusiasts, office workers, tired parents, and just about anyone on your list. It also offers variety, with 30 speed levels and nine massage heads.
You can’t leave the movie connoisseur in your life lacking the proper accouterments to sit back, relax and enjoy a film. This popcorn variety pack keeps hunger at bay for hours of cinematic delight. It consists of three popcorn options–white, red and tricolor–plus five seasonings like buttery caramel corn and spicy chili lime.
Make your Secret Santa recipient’s life a little easier this Christmas with a handy desk vacuum. Small messes don’t stand a chance with this cordless, rechargeable device. It sucks up eraser shavings, coffee grounds, crumbs and more.
Your gift recipient will look forward to warmer months with this adorable picnic blanket. The flat woven outdoor blanket is the ideal accessory on beach trips, park picnics, and backyard barbecues. After using, just brush it off and toss it into the washing machine. Then, fold it up until the next event.
What’s better than gazing out of the window and watching birds make themselves at home? A window bird feeder creates a local hot spot for feathered friends to munch on seeds. It’s made out of clear acrylic material, so there’s nothing in the way of an unhampered view.
The Tech Tools Desktop Punching Bag comes in handy when it’s time to let out a little bit of stress. Whether it’s installed in the home office or on the work desk, the faux leather punching bag is ready to take a hit to ease tension. The included air pump means the fun never has to stop.
Preparing popcorn just got more exciting with the Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper from Ecolution. This gift puts a standard microwave to shame, turning snacktime into an experience. Available in six colors and two sizes, it’s temperature safe–and no butter or oil is required.
Gag gifts never go out of style–especially if they’re functional, too. Enter the Pavilia Burritos Tortilla Blanket: a soft polyester blanket that’s reversible and features a fade-resistant tortilla pattern. Take a love of burritos to the next level with this Secret Santa gift idea.
Spread relaxation with a bonsai kit from Planter’s Choice. It contains four seed types: Norway Spruce, Royal Poinciana, Blue Jacaranda and Rocky Mountain Pine. Growing pots, plant markers, and a bonsai clipper make for a complete package.
No more running to the microwave to reheat your coffee. A mug warmer keeps hot beverages at temperature so you can enjoy them for longer. This tempered glass option is available in oval, rectangular, or square versions. A sensor turns the warmer on and off when it senses a change in pressure.
Skip the sushi bar with the Fungyand Sushi Making Kit. It’s the best Secret Santa gift idea for adventurous personalities who enjoy trying new things—like making sushi at home. Set them up for success with chopsticks, a rice paddle, sauce dishes, a sushi knife, a sushi bazooka, and more.
With this handy device, karaoke can take place morning, noon, and night. Your gift recipient can sing to their heart’s content with the wireless microphone and Bluetooth speaker. And the batteries last for 10 hours before needing a charge, so the party can continue until dawn.
For the spice fans in your life, the Deluxe Hot Sauce Making Kit from Millhouse Spice Co. adds an extra kick. It consists of three packs of dried peppers–jalapeño, chipotle, and habanero–plus a spice blend, apple cider vinegar and empty bottles to store the final products. It could transform into a zesty hobby.
The Eboda Bluetooth Shower Speaker has potential to be a present they use daily. This waterproof speaker floats and can even be submerged for up to a half hour without damage. It’s all-terrain, taking on mud and snow to play tunes in any setting. Wash it by hand if it gets dirty and it’ll be ready to set the vibe again.
This jellyfish lamp is the opposite of boring. It lights up a room in different soft hues, with three new friends: floating fake jellyfish that subtly swim around the tank, thanks to a motor moving the water. Bring the aquarium home with this gift.
Grace your Secret Santa recipient with the peaceful tinkling of wind chimes. Crafted with a modern aesthetic in mind, these aluminum chimes are offered in 14 styles. Turn their garden into an elegant music hall.
Introduce your giftee to a friendly pal–this pot with a smiling face and little limbs that can sit on a shelf or windowsill. The beige pot comes in different poses: sitting, standing, or legs out in front. And if it takes a tumble, it’s unlikely to shatter, given its plastic material.
The Table Top Fire Pit Bowl exudes quiet luxury, serving as a tabletop fireplace handcrafted out of concrete. A lightweight addition to the household, it can be used both inside and outside. It elicits the beauty and heat of fire without accompanying smoke and odor.
The Bottom Line
Why not go the extra mile to impress your recipient with one of our Secret Santa gift ideas? Candles, mittens and fuzzy socks are tried and true options, but you can also get creative with a mini karaoke machine or a multi-color jellyfish lamp. You can also encourage a new hobby with a deluxe hot sauce making kit or bonsai starter kit.
Who We Are
Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She also reports on the neighborhoods beat for The Denver Post, and previously covered prominent Colorado industries like real estate, airlines, and cannabis as a business reporter.