HandyWheelYou have drawn a name, and now you need a gift. The ideas below are grouped by budget and by who you are buying for, so you can skip to the part that fits. They are ideas for kinds of gifts, not specific products: pick whatever version you can find locally.
Draw names first with the Secret Santa generator
Not drawn names yet? The free Secret Santa generator does it in a minute. You can enter a budget and let everyone add a wish, so each person sees both the amount and a hint for their gift on their result.
Gift ideas by budget
The amounts below are written as “around 10” and so on. Read them in your own currency: $10, £10 or €10 buy roughly similar things. If your group uses rand, rupees or another currency, take the local amount that buys about the same, not the same number.
Small budget: around 10
A small budget is about one good, simple thing rather than several cheap ones.
- A nice mug with something to drink. Add a few sachets of hot chocolate, tea or coffee.
- Warm socks. Cozy, bright or patterned socks are useful for almost everyone.
- A small plant. A succulent or a herb in a pot lasts longer than flowers and suits a desk.
- A pocket card game. Something quick that works with two to six players.
- A good pen and a small notebook. Plain and well made beats novelty.
- A box of seasonal candy or cookies. Choose one with a clear ingredient list.
- A puzzle book. Crosswords, logic puzzles or sudoku for the commute.
Medium budget: around 20
With a bit more to spend, you can choose something that lasts or that fits the person’s hobby.
- A soft scarf, beanie or gloves. Neutral colors are the safest choice.
- A paperback or a cookbook. If the person has written a wish, follow it; if not, pick a well-loved title in a broad genre.
- A 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. A relaxing gift for long evenings.
- An insulated water bottle or travel cup. Used every day, especially by people who commute.
- A small board game. One that is easy to learn in ten minutes.
- A desk organizer or set of cable clips. Practical for anyone who works at a desk.
- A snack box you put together yourself. Three or four favorite treats in a small box or basket.
Larger budget: around 50
Larger budgets are common in families and close groups. Spend it on one better-quality item rather than a pile of small ones.
- A cozy blanket. A soft throw for the sofa is almost always welcome.
- Wireless earbuds or a small speaker. Only if you know the person does not already have a pair they love.
- A cooking or baking set. A good knife, a cast-iron pan or a set of baking pans.
- A class, workshop or experience. A pottery evening, a climbing session or a cooking class near where they live.
- A quality backpack or bag. Simple and sturdy, for work or weekends.
- A larger board game for groups. One that families can play together over the holidays.
Gift ideas by recipient
A coworker you barely know
Keep it neutral, useful and easy to take home. Good choices: a desk plant, a quality mug with tea or coffee, a notebook and pen, a phone stand, a small puzzle or a box of candy to share with the team. Avoid clothing sizes, anything personal and anything that suggests a habit they should change.
Family
You know family better, so use that. Think about what they have mentioned this year: a hobby they started, something that broke, a trip they are planning. Shared gifts also work well: a board game for the holidays, a framed family photo or a recipe book with dishes from the family’s own kitchen.
A close friend
A close friend’s gift can be more personal: something linked to an inside joke, a book by an author they like, a print of a place you visited together or tickets to something you can do together. The budget still matters, though: a thoughtful gift within the limit is better than an expensive one that breaks it.
Kids and teens
For younger children, think of things they can play with straight away: craft kits, building sets, coloring books with good pens, a small ball game or a picture book. For teens, popular choices are a phone accessory, a cozy hoodie, a sketchbook, a card game for friends or a gift card if they have asked for one. When the exchange is for a school class, ask the organizer whether there are any rules, for example no candy or no toy weapons.
A remote or online group
When the group is spread across cities or countries, plan for delivery. Give everyone a shipping deadline at least two weeks before the exchange, and ask everyone to send their delivery address to the organizer, who passes each one on only to the person who drew that name. Light, flat gifts are cheaper to send: socks, a scarf, a card game, a calendar or a book. Digital gifts avoid shipping altogether: an e-book, a music or film voucher, an online course, a printable puzzle or a donation in the person’s name. Then open the gifts together on a video call.
Useful, fun or gag gifts?
Useful gifts are things the person will actually use: a mug, gloves, a water bottle. They are the safest choice when you do not know the person well. Fun gifts are about enjoyment: a game, a puzzle, a treat. They work well in groups that like to play together. Gag gifts are jokes, and they work only when everyone has agreed on a funny theme. If you are not sure, combine them: a useful gift with a small joke tucked in.
DIY and homemade gifts
A homemade gift can be the most memorable one in the exchange. Ideas that work for most people:
- A jar of homemade cookies, fudge or granola, with the ingredients on the label.
- A spice mix or flavored salt in a small jar, with a recipe to use it.
- A hand-knitted hat or scarf, if you already knit.
- A small painted pot with a cutting from one of your plants.
- A printed photo book or a set of handmade cards.
Make sure it is finished and nicely wrapped on the day. If materials cost less than the budget, the time you spent counts too.
Gifts to avoid
- Anything too personal. Underwear, body care or anything about weight or looks can make people uncomfortable, especially at work.
- Scented things for someone you don’t know. Candles, perfume and bath products are a matter of taste, and some people are sensitive to strong scents.
- Alcohol, unless you know it is welcome. Many people do not drink, for health, religious or personal reasons.
- Food with common allergens. Nuts, gluten, dairy and eggs are in a lot of candy and baked goods. Choose clearly labeled food, or skip food if you do not know the person.
- Clothes in a specific size. Unless you know the size, stick to scarves, gloves, socks and other one-size items.
- Gifts that are really for you. Your favorite band’s merchandise or a gadget you want to try is a gift for yourself.
How to use the wish field
The Secret Santa generator lets every participant add a short wish next to their name. The person who draws them sees it with their result, so nobody has to guess. A good wish gives a direction without naming one exact product, for example:
- “Anything for my new balcony garden”
- “A paperback, I like crime and history”
- “I’m cutting down on sugar, no candy please”
- “Board games, we play every Friday”
If the person you drew left the wish empty, read it as “surprise me” and pick something from the coworker list above. If you are the organizer, remind everyone to fill in their wish before you draw.
Setting a budget everyone is comfortable with
The budget should suit the person in the group with the least to spend, not the most. Suggest one amount, not a range: a range makes people wonder whether the low end looks stingy. Ask quietly whether everyone is fine with it, or let people answer anonymously, so nobody has to say in front of the group that it is too much. Typical amounts are around 10 to 20 for coworkers and classes and 20 to 50 for family and close friends. Once you agree, enter the amount in the generator’s budget field, and it appears on every result and every printed slip.