Secret Santa gift ideas by budget
You drew a name, the budget is $20, and you have no idea. These lists are sorted by budget and by the kind of person you drew. Before buying anything, check whether they filled in their wishlist on their Secret Santa page. If they did not, nudge the organizer to remind them.
Under $10
- A bar of fancy chocolate and a handwritten note
- Fun socks (cats, pizza, their team)
- A scratch-off lottery ticket taped to a card
- A nice pen that actually writes well
- Hot sauce sampler
- A small houseplant or succulent
- Phone stand for their desk
- Reusable coffee cup sleeve
- Sticky notes in ridiculous shapes
- A packet of premium tea or single-origin coffee
- Lip balm set
- Card game like Exploding Kittens (mini) or a deck of playing cards
- Keychain bottle opener
- Local bakery cookies
- A puzzle book (sudoku, crosswords)
Under $20
- Insulated water bottle
- Desk plant with a cute pot
- Cozy blanket
- Board game (Uno, Codenames, Sushi Go)
- Scented candle
- Bluetooth tracker for keys
- Cookbook by a creator they follow
- Spice blend set
- Nice notebook and pen
- Beanie or scarf
- Bath bombs
- Coffee beans from a local roaster
- Phone grip and wallet
- A framed photo of the group
- Mini waffle maker
Under $30
- Wireless charging pad
- Streaming or audiobook gift card
- Portable phone charger
- Quality kitchen knife
- Hardcover of a book they mentioned
- Weighted eye mask
- Indoor herb kit
- Wine or craft beer selection
- Cocktail kit
- Puzzle (1000 pieces)
- Smart plug
- Yoga mat
- Bike lights
- Insulated lunch box
- Card holder wallet
Under $50
- Bluetooth speaker
- Massage gun (compact)
- Nice backpack or tote
- Milk frother and specialty coffee
- Experience voucher (escape room, climbing, cooking class)
- Cast-iron skillet
- Smartwatch band or accessories
- Sunrise alarm clock
- Cordless hair trimmer
- Heated blanket
- Tabletop fire pit
- Air fryer (small)
- LEGO set for adults
- Quality headphones
- Subscription box (snacks, socks, coffee)
By the person you drew
For a coworker you barely know
- Desk plant
- Coffee gift card
- Nice mug + good tea
- Cable organizer
- A book everyone likes (something funny)
For the person who has everything
- A donation in their name
- An experience rather than an object
- Consumables: great olive oil, hot sauce, coffee
- A framed photo
- A silly gift that references an inside joke
For teens
- Gift card for their game platform
- Phone accessories
- Hoodie
- Snack box from another country
- Polaroid film
For grandparents
- Photo book
- Large-print puzzle book
- Warm slippers
- Tea sampler
- A calendar with family photos
Three rules for a gift that lands
- Consumable beats decorative. Good coffee gets used; a novelty mug gets donated.
- Specific beats generic. "Hot sauce for the person who puts hot sauce on everything" shows you paid attention.
- Stay in budget. A thoughtful $18 gift beats an awkward $60 one.
Haven't drawn names yet? Start your Secret Santa. Need the rules? See Secret Santa rules.