Looking for Secret Santa gift ideas that won’t get re-gifted or politely binned? You’re in the right place.
Whether it’s for work, family, or a lucky dip you forgot you agreed to, Secret Santa doesn’t have to be awkward. Or wasteful. Or destined for landfill.
This list is here to help with practical picks, funny-but-useful finds, and even a few feel-good options that give back.
We’ll cover:
- Secret santa cheat sheet (your quick list)
- How to win at Secret Santa
- Practical gifts
- Funny Secret Santa ideas
- Meaningful gifts
- Thoughtful ideas
- Secret Santa gift ideas for coworkers
- What not to buy
Quick ideas first: your Secret Santa cheat sheet
In a rush? No judgement. Here’s a cheat sheet of Secret Santa gift ideas that hit the sweet spot — useful, surprising, and (crucially) not destined for the re-gift pile.
- Reusable coffee cup. Not just practical, but planet-friendly too.
- Trivia card deck. Pocket-sized fun for slow days at work or pub nights.
- Charity gift card. Feels good to give, even better to receive. (Yep, more on that soon.)
- Cord keeper or cable organiser. The unsung hero of every desk drawer.
- Tiny pot plant. Something green to make their desk 12% happier.
- Novelty socks (done right). The kind they’ll actually wear.
- Locally made honey or jam. Tastes like you tried, even if you didn’t.
- Mini heat pack. Like a warm hug for tense shoulders.
- Seed bombs or grow-your-own herbs. A tiny nudge toward a greener life.
That’s your fast fix. But if you’ve got a few minutes more (or pulled the name of someone particularly tricky), we’ve got a whole lot more Secret Santa gift ideas below.
How to win at Secret Santa
We’re all for being honest: Secret Santa can be a bit of a minefield. You want to give something good (something they’ll actually like), but it can be hard if you don’t know them well.
Add in price limits, mystery recipients, or the annual office “joke gift” expectation, and suddenly a fun exchange starts to feel weirdly high-stakes.
But here’s the good news. You don’t need to spend big or get flashy to give a great Secret Santa gift. The best ones? They’re simple, useful, a little unexpected. And they show that you gave it some thought.
That doesn’t mean every gift has to be deeply personal or wildly unique. It just means choosing something that adds a bit of joy, does a bit of good, or, ideally, both.
So whether you’re buying for a colleague, a cousin, or someone you barely know, the next few sections are packed with Secret Santa ideas that land every time. Let’s get gifting.
Practical Secret Santa presents (people will actually use)
There’s no shame in being practical. In fact, it’s kind of the point. A well-picked useful gift says, “I noticed the state of your desk cords,” or “You deserve better snacks at work,” without ever saying a word.
Here are a few practical Secret Santa gift ideas that are far from boring, and won’t end up at the bottom of the stationery drawer.
Reusable coffee cup
A classic, but for good reason. Keeps the caffeine hot and the conscience clear. Great for commuters, office dwellers, and eco-conscious giftees alike.
Cord keepers or cable organisers
It might not scream festive, but tidy cables = a calm desk = a clear mind. That’s science (probably). Great for work Secret Santas.
Mini desk vacuum
It’s tiny. It’s charming. It sucks up toast crumbs like a dream. For anyone who snacks while they spreadsheet.
Chic reusable shopping bag
Foldable, washable, and ideal for lunch runs or last-minute groceries. Bonus points for bold prints or something locally made.
Plantable pencils
Write. Plant. Grow herbs. Practical with a surprise twist — and ideal for the sustainably inclined.
Fair trade chocolate or snacks
A gift they’ll 100% use (read: eat). Look for options that are ethically made and wrapped with minimal plastic.
Mini heat pack or eye pillow
Small enough to gift, big enough to help them de-stress after the team planning meeting that could have been an email.
Low-waste beauty basics
Think: a lush lip balm or a locally-made hand cream. Everyday upgrades with a lighter footprint.
Funny Secret Santa gifts (but not useless junk)
Let’s retire the “emergency underpants” and yodelling pickle pens. You can be funny without going full novelty bin.
The best funny gifts get a laugh and are actually used. They’re clever and memorable. And they won’t haunt your giftee from the back of the bottom drawer.
Here are a few funny-but-useful Secret Santa present ideas that strike the right balance.
Punny mug (with a little design cred)
Sure, mugs are everywhere. But find one with a genuinely clever pun and a decent handle, and you’ve got a winner. “Better latte than never” could be good for your perpetually-late desk mate.
Mini trivia or card games
Perfect for the work break room, weekend wine nights, or family showdowns. Choose something small, shareable, and silly in the best way.
“Meeting in progress” desk sign
Great for remote workers or office introverts. Bonus points if it flips to “Approach with snacks”.
Ridiculous tea towels
Think: Australian birds in party hats. Dogs doing yoga. Bonus points if it’s screen-printed locally.
Socks that spark joy
Not just another pair. Go for bold patterns, quirky quotes, or a surprising theme (like wombats in sunglasses). If they’re comfy and cute? They’ll wear them.
Plant with a name tag
Gift a tiny succulent in a pot labelled Craig. No one expects Craig. Everyone loves Craig.
When in doubt, look for humour that lands with kindness and a little bit of charm. And if it also happens to keep someone’s feet warm or kitchen dry, call that a Secret Santa success.
Meaningful gifts that do good
Not all gifts need to be practical or punny. Some of the best Secret Santa ideas are the ones that make the world a little better (without adding clutter or eliciting side-eye).
Enter: the feel-good gift.
Whether it’s a toilet paper gift card (yes, really), a share in a mango orchard, or a duck that funds clean water projects, Oxfam Unwrapped gifts give twice. Once to your giftee, and once to someone who needs it.
Here are a few favourites that work beautifully for Secret Santa.
Toilet paper card
The crowd-pleaser. Unexpected, wildly useful, and surprisingly impactful. This great option for office swaps gets a laugh and funds vital hygiene support.
Honey bees card
Perfect for that sweet-but-tough type. This gift supports communities to build sustainable honey businesses (and yes, comes with a very cute card).
Clean water card
A meaningful option for someone who doesn’t want “stuff”. Your gift helps fund clean drinking water where it’s needed most (and there’s no wrapping required).
Every Oxfam Unwrapped gift comes with a card you can print at home, email, or post. So it’s easy, thoughtful, and doesn’t have to rely on frantic December postage deadlines.
Want more ideas? Browse the full Kris Kringle collection for gifts that feel good and do good.
Thoughtful ideas if you know just one thing about them
Personalised doesn’t have to mean hand-stitched initials or hours on Etsy. Sometimes it’s just about picking a gift that suits their vibe. Even if you only know them from Monday meetings or school pickup.
Mini jigsaw puzzle or brain teaser
Great for quiet types or anyone who likes a challenge. Bonus points if it’s themed around something you have in common, or even something Christmas related.
DIY spice kit or rubs
For the amateur foodie or BBQ aficionado. Easy to find, fun to gift, and often beautifully packaged by small local businesses.
Little book of cocktails
Something small and lovely to flip through. Great for the person who’s a little bit mysterious or always has a drink in hand (hot or otherwise).
Grow-your-own herb kit
Basil, mint, coriander; whatever they fancy. It’s a gentle nudge toward greener thumbs (and better home cooking).
Custom notepad or list-maker’s journal
Great for organised types, stationery nerds, or chronic Post-it users. Add a fun pen or a few stickers if you’re feeling fancy.
Reusable lunch bag
Bright, compact, and very “I’ve got my life together.” Even if they could use some support in that department.
Gift that fits their hobby
Don’t know much about them? Ask around. If they love yoga, gift a cork block. If they love camping, a solar torch. If they’re always baking, hello, silicone muffin tray.
The best Secret Santa gift ideas aren’t the most extravagant. They just show you paid a little attention. And sometimes, that’s the nicest gift of all.
Secret Santa gift ideas for coworkers
Buying for a coworker? There’s an art to it. Whether you pulled the name of your desk buddy or someone you’ve only ever seen in the lift, these Secret Santa ideas for work are safe, smart, and genuinely appreciated.
Desk cactus or mini pot plant
Low effort, high vibe. It brightens their space. Choose a cactus if you need to avoid “you forgot to water me” guilt.
Clever calendar or wall planner
Something fun and functional is always an office win. Look for quirky designs or local artists. Bonus points if it brings a smile to Monday mornings.
Reusable beeswax lunch wrap or bento box
Goodbye cling wrap, hello organised lunches. A thoughtful choice for your colleague who has meal prep down pat (or the person always microwaving last night’s dinner).
Noise-cancelling earplugs or focus tools
A little gift of peace. This one is brilliant for open-plan offices or people who work near the printer.
Break-room crowd-pleaser
Think: gourmet hot chocolate sachets, fun tea samplers, or ethically sourced coffee beans. Something they can stash in the communal cupboard (and quietly hide from Gary in Finance).
Coworker gifts don’t need to be dazzling. They just need to be thoughtful, appropriate, and ideally… not scented.
What not to buy (because awkward is not the goal)
There’s a fine line between funny and, “Please never speak to me again”. There are a few Secret Santa gift ideas best left on the shelf (or quietly returned to the novelty bin), but these are our top picks.
- Anything NSFW. You might think it’s hilarious. Your team leader might not. To avoid HR, if there’s even a sliver of doubt, it’s a no.
- Passive-aggressive desk signs or mugs. “Currently pretending to work” is fine. “You’re the reason I drink” probably isn’t.
- Overly romantic gifts. Keep it platonic. This isn’t the time to confess your undying love or gift heart-shaped anything.
- “Funny” gifts that aren’t actually funny. Think fart jokes, ageing jokes, diet culture jokes. If the punchline targets someone’s identity, age, or body, it’s not it.
- Overly scented stuff. Candles. Lotions. Incense. Smell is subjective, and no one wants a headache for Christmas.
- Anything that feels like a re-gift. Chipped mugs. Random wine. That mystery bath bomb from last year. Just... no.
When in doubt? Keep it kind, useful, or genuinely joyful. Your Secret Santa recipient will thank you — and so will future-you, come the next confined lift ride.
Where to find the right gift
Secret Santa doesn’t have to mean stress shopping, weird mugs, or something you regret gifting by New Year’s Eve. It can be joyful. Thoughtful. Even genuinely fun.
And if you’re still not sure what to get, head over to our Kris Kringle gift cards for more ideas that feel good, do good, and won’t end up in landfill.
There are plenty of other places to look, too. Try your local markets, handmade stores, or ethical gift shops. These often have clever, low-waste options like beeswax wraps, seed kits, or locally made snacks. Do you have a local independent bookshop near you? Sometimes they have thoughtfully curated or hilarious gift sections.
Because the best kind of Secret Santa? It’s the one that spreads a little more good in the world. Whether that’s supporting a local business owner, or making sure a community has access to clean water. Create a spark of joy that goes far beyond your Secret Santa swap.
And if you want to read more about workplace Secret Santa ideas, discover our favourite Christmas gift exchange games.
