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I Finally Found Secret Santa Gifts That Don't Feel Awkward to Give
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items You pulled a name out of a hat and now you're standing in an aisle at 9pm wondering what to buy for someone you barely know. Maybe it's a coworker you've spoken to three times, or your partner's cousin you met once at Thanksgiving. These are the gift...
Sections
9
Crowd-Pleasing Cozy Gifts Under $15
Gifts for the Person You Know Nothing About
Funny Gifts That Actually Get Used
Self-Care Picks That Don't Feel Too Personal
Desk and Office Gifts That Won't Collect Dust
Kitchen Gifts That People Actually Want
Crowd-Pleasing Cozy Gifts Under $15
When you know absolutely nothing about the person except that they exist and presumably get cold sometimes. These saved me at two different office exchanges last December.
Grab this when you have zero clues about someone's taste. Vanilla is the Switzerland of candle scents. Brought one to a work exchange and the recipient literally sniffed it three times before putting it down.
Yankee Candle, Scented Candle, 22 oz, Vanilla Cupcake
Keep this in mind for the person who always complains about the office AC. Wrapped one up for my desk neighbor last year and she draped it over her chair the same day. That's how you know it landed.
Customer reviews for Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw
Toss these in a gift bag for anyone who works from home. My brother-in-law opened these at our family exchange and immediately put them on. No awkward pause, just warm feet.
Customer reviews for Huggle Slipper Socks
Snag this for the person who treats the break room coffee like a personality trait. Comes with marshmallows and a mug. Simple, warm, and nobody has ever been offended by hot chocolate.
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Gift Set - 4 Flavors, 5 Packs Each
Use this for anyone with skin. Seriously. Gave it to a coworker I'd spoken to maybe five times and she texted me a week later saying the cuticle cream was her new favorite thing.
Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Gift Set, Hand, Foot and Lip Balm
Bring this to any exchange where you're panicking. Three flavors, festive tin, costs less than lunch. My rule: when in doubt, go edible. Nobody regifts popcorn, they just eat it.
Customer reviews for Great Value Holiday Popcorn Tin
Pair this with a bag of fancy coffee and you've got a gift that looks like you put in effort. Gave one to my Secret Santa match who I only knew drank coffee. She uses it daily now.
Threshold Stoneware Mugs
Gifts for the Person You Know Nothing About
Pulled a name and went blank? Same thing happened to me with my manager's manager. These are safe picks that still feel personal somehow.
Try this when your only intel is ‘they seem nice.’ Fancy enough to feel special, universal enough that it works for literally anyone. Watched three people fight over the caramel ones at my office party.
GODIVA Chocolatier Holiday Assorted Chocolate Gold Gift
Switch to this if you're worried a Yankee Candle feels too basic. The ceramic holder looks expensive and the scent is warm without being overwhelming. Gave one to my partner's aunt and she put it on her mantle immediately.
Better Homes & Gardens 40.5 oz 5-Wick Ceramic Candle
Get this for the person who always seems to have ideas. Sounds weird but it's a conversation starter, which is exactly what you want at an exchange. My coworker laughed so hard he almost dropped his eggnog.
Aqua Notes Waterproof Notepad
Grab a bag for anyone who functions on caffeine. Doesn't matter if you know their exact preferences. Holiday blend feels seasonal and thoughtful without requiring any actual knowledge of the person.
STARBUCKS® Ground Coffee Holiday Blend
Toss this into a gift bag for anyone who carries a purse or has pockets. Cute packaging does the heavy lifting for you. Gave this to a coworker I met in October and she seemed genuinely pleased.
eos Holiday Collection Gift Set, Sugar Plum Spritz
Use this for the person who has a house. That's it, that's the criteria. Festive scents, nice packaging, and nobody thinks ‘wow this is weird’ when they unwrap hand soap in December.
Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Hand Soap Holiday Variety Pack
Snag this for anyone with a mouth and no nut allergy. Wrapped one with a ribbon and a little spreader knife. The guy who got it at our exchange said he ate half the jar that night.
Lotus Biscoff Creamy Cookie Butter, 14.1 oz.
Funny Gifts That Actually Get Used
The trick with humor gifts is making sure they're actually useful after the laugh. Learned this the hard way when I gave someone a singing fish in 2019. These are better.
Bring this for the dramatic coffee drinker in every office. Holds 64 ounces and the reaction is always a genuine laugh followed by ‘wait, I’m actually going to use this.' Saw it happen twice.
BigMouth Inc. Black Like My Soul Coffee Mug
Get the one shaped like their home state. Gave a Texas-shaped board to a proud Texan coworker and he practically teared up. Works for anyone who won't shut up about where they're from.
Totally Bamboo, Destination Texas Cutting Board, 20" x 18.9"
Try this for anyone who lives alone or in a dorm. Small, cheap, and weirdly fun. My Secret Santa match brought it to work the next week and made waffles in the break room. Legend status.
Classic Mini Waffles - Dash
Pair these with a knowing look at the person who shows everyone dog photos at lunch. Comfortable enough to actually wear, funny enough to get a real laugh at the exchange.
Aellinatey Contemporary Dog Lover Socks 4 Pairs
Use these for the family exchange where everyone just stares at each other. Gave a set to my in-laws' exchange and we actually had the best dinner conversation in years. Not even exaggerating.
Best Conversation Starter Cards
Swap this in when a regular funny mug feels too predictable. Shaped like a donut, holds real coffee. The person who got mine at last year's party posted it on Instagram the same night.
BigMouth Inc. Donut Hole Mug, Ceramic Cup for Coffee
Grab this for anyone who spends too much at coffee shops. Costs less than two lattes and they'll use it every morning. My sister got one at her exchange and now she froths everything, including orange juice apparently.
Customer reviews for Zulay Kitchen Milk Frother Handheld
Self-Care Picks That Don't Feel Too Personal
Giving someone skincare feels risky. Bath stuff though? That's the sweet spot. Found these after accidentally giving my boss a face mask that implied she had bad skin. Don't be me.
Try this for anyone who seems stressed, so basically everyone in December. Comes in lavender and eucalyptus. Gave it to a coworker who told me the next Monday she took her first bath in three years because of it.
Dr Teal's, Epsom Salt Magnesium Soak, 3 lbs
Grab this for anyone who enjoys smelling like vacation. Costs under $10 and looks way more expensive. My friend's mom got one at a church exchange and asked where to buy six more.
Equate Shea Sugar Scrub, Tropical Mango, 18 oz
Use this only for someone you're reasonably close with. The ‘whip’ texture is a talking point that makes it feel like a fun recommendation rather than a hint. Gave it to my work friend and she loved the texture.
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 40
Keep this as your backup plan. Dove is universally safe, the holiday packaging is cute, and nobody has ever opened Dove products and felt weird about it. Reliable as gravity.
Dove Exfoliating Body Wash and Body Polish Gift Set
Switch to this if you want a candle that feels more spa-like than seasonal. Gave one to my team lead and she said her living room smelled like a resort for two weeks straight.
Customer reviews for Chesapeake bay candle minCd
Toss this into a bigger gift bag as a filler or give it solo for exchanges under $10. Practical, cute, and the shower cap has a pattern that actually makes people laugh.
(3 pack) EcoTools 2-in-1 Bath Pouf for Whole-Body
Snag this for the person who probably doesn't splurge on themselves. Five full-size products for under $15. My aunt opened one at Christmas and said it was the most she'd spent on lotion in years, except she didn't spend anything.
NIVEA Holiday beauty gifts & value sets (8)
Desk and Office Gifts That Won't Collect Dust
Most desk gifts end up in a drawer by January 3rd. These are the ones I've seen people actually keep on their desks through spring. That's the real test.
Get this for anyone who's always hunting for a phone charger. Dropped one on my coworker's desk as a Secret Santa gift and three other people asked where I got it. Under $15 and actually useful.
Anker PowerWave Pad Lite+ Wireless Charging Pad
Use the big value pack with fun colors for the person who covers their monitor in reminders. Sounds boring but my desk neighbor literally gasped when she saw the neon ones. Low bar, high reward.
Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, 3" x 8" (Pack of 4)
Bring this for the person who's spilled coffee on their keyboard at least once. Truly doesn't leak. Gave one to a clumsy coworker and it survived being knocked off his desk four times in one week.
Contigo West Loop Autoseal Travel Mug
Try this for anyone stuck in a cubicle with terrible lighting. Small, adjustable, and makes their workspace look less depressing. My cube neighbor thanked me every time I walked by for a month.
Merkury Innovations 16 inch Roomglo Light Multicolor
Grab the colorful set for anyone who appreciates small joys. Sounds silly but cute desk supplies make people disproportionately happy. Watched a grown man smile at a pink stapler for thirty seconds.
8 Pack Mini Office Supply Kits
Swap this in for a quick affordable gift. Everyone drops their phone. Gave one to a coworker who cracked her screen twice that year and she attached it before the wrapping paper hit the floor.
PopSockets Cell phones & accessories (45)
Toss this toward anyone who carries a notebook or talks about wanting to be more organized. Quality pages that don't bleed through. My Secret Santa match started bullet journaling the next week.
Scribbles That Matter 160gsm Journal Review
Kitchen Gifts That People Actually Want
There's a fine line between ‘thoughtful kitchen gift’ and ‘are you saying I can’t cook?' These land on the right side of that line. Tested at three different holiday exchanges.
Get this for the person who's been talking about cooking more. Pre-seasoned, indestructible, and under $20. My brother got one at our family exchange and now he won't shut up about searing steaks.
Lodge - 10.25 in. Cast Iron Skillet in Black with Pour Spout
Use this for anyone who cooks even occasionally. Sounds basic but good peelers are one of those things nobody buys for themselves. Gave a set to my coworker and she threw out her old one the same day.
OXO Good Grips 3 Piece Assorted Prep Y-Peeler Set
Try this for the gym person or smoothie lover in the group. Portable, USB rechargeable, and actually blends ice. My gym buddy got one and now makes protein shakes at his desk like a maniac.
Ninja Blast™ Portable Blender Black, 18 oz
Grab this for the adventurous eater or the person who puts hot sauce on everything. Six spice blends from around the world. Way more interesting than a generic gift card.
McCormick Gourmet Seasoning mixes & blends(35)
Bring this for the meal prepper or anyone who's tired of losing Tupperware lids. Glass, microwave safe, and the lids actually snap on. Gave one to my roommate's Secret Santa and she uses them daily.
Pyrex® 10 piece meal prep set
Snag these for the person who bakes or wants to start. Nesting design saves space and the colors are genuinely cute. My cousin opened these at Christmas and immediately planned her next baking project.
Kitchenaid Universal Set of 3 Plastic Mixing Bowls in Red
Pair this with a six-pack of craft beer for an easy win. Sticks to the fridge so it never gets lost. Gave one to my neighbor at our block party exchange and he still has it on his fridge two years later.
Cuisinart Magnetic Bottle Opener and Cup Holder
Tech Accessories Under $25
Not everyone wants lotion and candles. Some people want gadgets. These are the tech gifts that made me look like I actually thought about it, even when I bought them the night before.
Get this for anyone who plays music from their phone speaker like a monster. Waterproof, tiny, and the sound is shockingly good for the size. Gave one at my office exchange and we tested it immediately.
JBL Go 3 - Portable Waterproof Speaker - Black
Use this for the person who loses everything. Keys, wallet, bag, you name it. My mom got one at a family exchange and found her purse in the car three times the first week. Already paid for itself.
Apple Airtag
Grab this for the friend whose phone dies at 2pm every day. Slim enough to fit in a pocket and charges a phone completely. Gave one to my always-dead-phone coworker and she nearly hugged me.
Anker Power Banks Portable Chargers
Try this for the practical person who doesn't need another candle. 128 gigs for under $10 leaves room to add chocolate or a gift card to round it out.
SanDisk Ultra 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
Bring this for anyone still watching cable or using an ancient streaming stick. Setup takes five minutes and it works perfectly. My uncle got one at Christmas and cut his cable bill the following month.
Roku Express HD Streaming Device with Fast Wi-Fi
Snag these for the person who forgot their headphones today and borrowed someone else's. Cheap enough for Secret Santa, good enough for commuting and gym sessions. Solid backup pair.
Tzumi 6290RG Sound Mates Earbuds with Wireless
Toss these toward anyone under 30 or anyone who wants their room to look cooler. Peel and stick, remote controlled, sixteen colors. My nephew installed his behind his TV in about four minutes.
Merkury Innovations Smart LED Strip Lights
Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything
Every exchange has one. The person who already owns the nice version of everything you'd think to buy. These worked because they're specific enough to feel new.
Get this because even the person who has everything is using a dull paring knife. It sharpens every time you put it back in the sheath. Gave one to my father-in-law who has every gadget and he was genuinely impressed.
Customer reviews for Calphalon Classic Kitchen Knife Set
Use the pocket-sized one for anyone who appreciates nice things. The paper quality makes cheap pens feel fancy. My boss got one and started carrying it to every meeting the next week.
Moleskine Classic Hard Cover Notebook, 5" x 8- ...
Grab this for the wine drinker who already has wine glasses. Keeps wine cold for hours and doesn't sweat on the table. Gave one to my sister who has ‘enough glasses’ and she uses it on her patio constantly.
Classic Stemless by CORKCICLE.
Try this tin for the person who seems to have it all but probably hasn't replaced their lip balm in months. Nostalgic packaging, quality products, and the tin itself gets reused for random stuff.
Burt's Bees Gift Sets for Lip and Skin Care
Bring this for the curious person or the one with random hobbies. Sounds niche but it's genuinely cool. My coworker displayed hers on her bookshelf and brings them up in conversation regularly.
Customer reviews for National Geographic Rock & Mineral
Swap these in for the whiskey drinker who already has nice glasses. Chill drinks without diluting them. Gave a set to my uncle and he used them that same evening while we were still at dinner.
SONGAUN Whiskey Glass Gift Set
Snag this for anyone who drinks anything. Insulated, dishwasher safe, and the clear design lets you add stickers or just keep it clean. My friend has had hers for three years and it still looks new.
Customer reviews for Tervis Clear & Colorful Lidded Made
Last-Minute Gifts You Can Grab Today
It's December 22nd, the exchange is tomorrow, and you just remembered. Been there four times. These are all easy to find in stores right now and still look like you planned ahead.
Grab this on your lunch break and slide it into the festive sleeve. Nobody has ever been disappointed by a Starbucks card. My rule: $15 minimum so it covers more than one drink.
Customer reviews for Starbucks Holiday Red Mug Gift Set
Snag this from the seasonal aisle. Looks elegant, tastes expensive, and the bag is big enough to feel generous. Wrapped one in tissue paper at 11pm and got complimented on my ‘thoughtful choice’ the next day.
GHIRARDELLI Holiday Chocolate Assortment Squares
Try the lavender one for anyone who mentions being tired, so literally every adult in December. Spray on pillow, sleep better. My coworker texted me a week later saying she'd been sleeping like a rock.
Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Pillow Mist
Use the big jar for family exchanges where you need volume. Festive, shareable, and the jar gets reused. Brought one to my in-laws' exchange when I forgot until that morning. Nobody suspected a thing.
M&M'S WORLD Holiday food gift in Food Gifts
Get the soft ones in neutral colors for anyone who exists in winter. Boring? Maybe. But my Secret Santa match wore them the next day and said they were the softest socks she owned.
Hanes Women's Cozy Crew Socks 6-Pack, Soft
Keep this as your emergency option. Classic, reliable, and available at basically every store on earth. Gave one to a neighbor at a holiday party and she shared them with her kids, which means everyone wins.
RUSSELL STOVER Assorted Milk & Dark Chocolate Gift
Toss this in a gift bag with some tissue paper and a candy cane. Takes thirty seconds to assemble and looks like a curated little care package. Perfect for the exchange you forgot about until this morning.
Blistex Lip Medex Medicated Lip Balm Stick, 3 Count, 0.15 oz