These Secret Santa Gifts Look Pricier Than They Are
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While Secret Santa and white elephant gift exchanges are all about having fun and getting in the holiday spirit, sometimes it can be straight-up stressful to pick out a decent gift. Like, you don't want to drop a lot of money, and it can also be sort of awkward depending on who you're buying for, especially if it's a mutual friend, acquaintance, or coworker you may not know very well.
It's also way too easy to procrastinate, which is why you're getting your options in order now. Keep a few of the funny, personal, and affordable gifts below on-hand now so you're not rushing to buy something from a gas station on the way to the office holiday party.
Keep reading for all the best Secret Santa gift ideas to give in 2023. Bonus: They're almost all under $25, which means all the gifts below also make great stocking stuffers (or, you know, affordable presents for yourself—you deserve it!).
Yoga Dice
If your giftee enjoys meditating and practicing yoga, these wooden dice will help add spontaneity to their daily routine. Plus, it comes with an instructional booklet that’s easy for people of all skill levels to understand.
Ticket Stub Organizer
This stub organizer is perfect for that concert-going friend who has a ton of tickets collecting dust in a random box or drawer. It even comes with a large back pocket to store other special keepsakes, and a small notes section on each page so they can reflect on the experience.
Smells Like A 49ers Win Scented Candle
If your Secret Santa is a superstitious sports fan, this gift will become a major part of their pre-game ritual. With several football and baseball teams available to purchase, too (think: the Eagles, Cowboys, and Yankees), they might just secure a win thanks to this unique candle.
Peace Perfume Discovery Set
Perfume discovery sets are a great way to find the perfect scent. With this particular collection, your recipient can try five long-lasting fragrances that are vegan, hypoallergenic, and sustainably sourced.
Kulture Karoke
Help your Secret Santa take their game night to the next level with this music card set full of classic hip-hop and R&B categories. They’re practically guaranteed to have endless fun.
The Crochet Answer Book
Whether your coworker has been crocheting for years or just picked it up as a new hobby, they’ll love this informative book that’s chock-full of expert advice on everything there is to know about the craft.
Gaming Headset
Got a gamer on your hands? With more than 6,000 five-star reviews, you can’t go wrong with this headset that’s super affordable and compatible with a variety of gaming platforms, including Xbox and PS5.
Running Belt
Gift this sleek belt to the runner in your life who’s always up early for a morning jog. It’s lightweight, adjustable, and comes in several different shades. Simply pick their favorite color and add to your cart.
Chef Apron
Your Secret Santa will definitely stand out in the kitchen with this personalized apron. It has everything they’ll need: two front pockets, extra long waist ties, and an adjustable neck strap.
Therapy Dough
This grown-up version of playdough will help your giftee feel more relaxed at the end of a long, tiring day. Infused with essential oils for aromatherapy, they can even keep it at their desk whenever they need a few minutes to calm their mind.
Weirdly Obsessed With Purses Mug
The best gifts are both personal and practical, so your purse-obsessed friend will love using this hilarious mug in the morning while they peruse online for their next favorite handbag.
National Parks Bucket List Collage Kit
This unique collage kit features 63 mini art prints of America’s national parks. Rather than checking off boxes on their notes app bucket list, your nature-loving recipient can paste up an illustration each time they visit a national park. They’ll have a cool gallery wall in their home office in no time.
Customized Pet Portrait
For a pet parent, why not surprise them with a stunning custom portrait of their furbaby? They’ll receive a super high-quality image that looks way more expensive than it actually is.
Eyeglasses Holder
If your coworker is always losing their spectacles, they’ll appreciate this handmade wooden eyeglass holder. This gift will make the perfect addition to their desk or nightstand, too.
Zodiac Candles
For an astrology lover who’s in need of some serious R&R, these vanilla rose-scented candles can help them decompress. Each one is handmade with natural soy wax and essential oils, and burns for over 50 hours.
Electric Ice Cream Maker Machine
An ice cream mood can strike at any time no matter the weather, so prepare your pal with this electric ice cream maker that'll churn up a pint with the touch of one simple button. They'll never know you just spent $21.
Fleece Blanket
Face it: You know the cozy gift is always a fan fave. Find out your Secret Santa's favorite color, and gift them this fuzzy fleece throw. It comes in tons of different shades and has over 100,000 reviews on Amazon—'nuff said.
Mini Catcus Humidifier
If you know your boss' office is super dry, they'll love you for gifting them this super cute mini cactus humidifier. Hey, get one for yourself while you're at it.
Bracelet Hair Ties
If your Secret Santa always has a hair tie around their wrist, upgrade that situation ASAP with these cute bracelet hair ties that double as jewelry.
Silk Eye Pillow
A spa day may be out of your budget, but this cooling gel eye mask filled with lavender and flax seeds will definitely help your recipient de-stress during the hectic holidays.
Reading Journal
This keepsake journal will enhance any bookworm’s reading journey. It includes a daily reading tracker, a comprehensive book review layout, and a section to help organize their never-ending TBR list.
Bluetooth Speakers
You really can't go wrong with this bluetooth speaker. They can put it in their bathroom to blast tunes in the shower, leave it in their room and listen to podcasts, or keep it in their kitchen for dancing and cooking.
Gourmet Coffee Sampler
For your coworker who always has a coffee in hand, there's this variety pack of coffee grounds. They can try four great flavors from this gourmet selection that comes in a gift-ready box.
Plush Fleece Indoor Slippers
Give the gift of comfort with these soft, fuzzy indoor slides. And yeah, they come in a bunch of different colors, so just pick your giftee's fave shade.
Own Your Morning
Mornings are tough, no matter who you are. This book is packed with advice on how to maximize your a.m. routine, with tips straight from Women's Health editor-in-chief Liz Plosser.
Sitting Flower Pot
Okay, how adorable is this sitting plant pot? Your recipient will love showing it off IRL and on all their social platforms.
2024 Weekly & Monthly Hardcover Planner
This planner will surely help the recipient start off 2024 on the right foot. The simple yet elegant design works for nearly anyone's aesthetic, too. (It comes in several colors!)
Stainless Steel Wine Tumbler
This stainless steel tumbler has more than *18,000 reviews* on Amazon. Pair this with an affordable bottle of wine and whoever you give it to might put it to use ASAP.
Reusable Makeup Pads
These chic reusable makeup removal pads will help your giftee ditch the disposable wipes. Plus, the eco-conscious recipient will love that they're made of 100 percent recycled materials. (Did I mention they're super-soft, too?)
The Morning Person Sweatshirt
Your friend who always brags about being up before the sun rises for workouts and a three-course breakfast will never want to take off this WH-approved sweatshirt.
The Night Owl Sweatshirt
Not a morning person? No problem. That coworker who *always* seems to be online and sending emails at odd hours of the night will laugh when you gift them this sweatshirt.
Echo Glow
Sure, this multicolor smart lamp is a great option for kiddos, but who doesn't like a little mood lighting? The Echo Glow links up to a compatible Alexa device and adds color to any space.
Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds
Tech-related gifts are always a hit. If they're in need of a new pair of earbuds, this super affordable (yet high-quality!) bluetooth set will def put a smile on their face.
Plush Velvet Travel Jewelry Box Organizer
The best Secret Santa gifts are things people know they need, but don't always buy for themselves. Enter this super luxe-looking travel jewelry organizer that they'll pull out literally every time they're going out of town.
Gift Card In Snowman Tin
Listen—nobody dislikes a gift card. This is the perfect gift when you just don't know your giftee very well (or want to stick to something safe for your boss).
Rose Quartz Guasha Tool
Got a skincare lover on your hands? Cool. This rose quartz guasha tool is great for de-puffing and sculpting the face. It already comes in a gorgeous gifting-ready envelope.
Ankle Weights
Is your Secret Santa a fitness fanatic? Gift them these comfy (and handy) ankle weights for their next Pilates session.
Custom Face Socks
Sure, socks were always the "lame" gift growing up, but now that you're an adult, it literally never hurts to get another solid pair of footies—especially when they're printed with their (or your!) face on them.
Inflatable Rainbow Cloud Drink Holder
If you live in a warmer climate and they happen to have a pool (or just spend lots of time on beach vacas), gift them this blow-up drink caddy. It'll keep their hard seltzers nice and cool anytime, anywhere.
3D Simulation Bread Pillow
I actually don't get how a bread-themed gift could ever fail. The coworker who's always complaining about how their WFH situation has resulted in some back pain will love this lumbar pillow.
Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle
With over 20,000 Amazon reviews, this stovetop kettle is loved by tea, coffee, and matcha lovers alike. Plus, it's super affordable. Time to add to your shopping cart ASAP.
Airpods Case
If your friend has AirPods, do them a favor and amp up their case game by buying them this super chic case. It has a clip-on keychain attachment, too.
Round Foam Roller
Got an athlete on your hands? This foam roller will dissolve their constant soreness, ASAP.
Mini Pillow Talk Lipstick & Liner Set
This little two-in-one mini set by Charlotte Tilbury is ideal for stashing in a purse, gym bag, or long-weekend duffel. Makeup lovers (and WH editors) are obsessed with this set, so trust it'll impress the devoted makeup fan in your life.
Create Your Own Photo Snow Globe
If you got lucky and your Secret Santa is one of your besties, pick your fave pic of the two of you together and customize a snow globe for the two of you. They'll love putting it on display in their home office.
Latte Art Making Set
Another one of those gifts that looks *way* more expensive than it really is, the oat latte lover in your life is going to seriously appreciate this set. It's not just going to froth milk, it also has stencils and spoons to make latte art.
Starry Night Puzzle
Remember when puzzles were a beloved, go-to rainy day activity? Revive their love for what used to be their fave pastime with this Van Gogh-themed, 500-piece puzzle.
Smart Luggage ID Tag
Got a world traveler on your hands? They'll love a new luggage tag that will actually help them track down a missing or stolen bag. Helpful + smart = the best Secret Santa gift in the group.
Gold Apple Watch Chain
Is your Secret Santa obsessed with their Apple Watch? Gift them this gorgeous gold watch chain they'll love showing off when they're not working out in the standard silicone band it came with.
Stationery Set with Desk Organizer
A beautiful notepad with matching envelopes, cards, and stickers, this is the perfect gift for the person in your life who's still taking handwritten notes. The gift-ready box will look super pretty on their desk, too.
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