Take the guesswork out of your holiday shopping. These Secret Santa gifts are sure to be a hit (and not end up in the regift pile).
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
40 Best Secret Santa Gifts for Friends, Neighbors and Co-Workers
Updated on Nov. 21, 2024
Holding a Secret Santa gift exchange makes a lot of sense when you have a big group of people who want to celebrate the season. Need gift ideas for that secret someone? We took the guesswork out of finding Secret Santa gifts, even for those who have everything.
There’s definitely an art to choosing the right Secret Santa gifts. From family doctors to neighbors to even close friends, it’s all about honing in on what you know about the person, even if it’s the tiniest nugget of information. Choose a present that speaks to their interests (maybe incorporating a little humor). Or you can go with something that’s universally appealing and simply qualifies as a fabulous gift for any man or woman in your life. We’ve got dozens of affordable and unique Secret Santa gifts for you to choose from and, even better, many of these gifts can be delivered at7 the last minute.
For the hugger
Hugget Pillow
The hugger in your life is certain to smile big when they receive the Hugget! It’s like a hug when one isn’t readily available. Beyond that, it’s a pillow that has the look of a pop art sculpture. It was designed to soothe your senses and help relieve stress, which also makes it a good self-care present for co-workers and family members alike who are trying to de-stress.
On Sale
For the spa devotee
Facial Sheet Mask Combo
This inexpensive gift set of 12 facial masks is like giving your recipient almost two weeks worth of at-home spa treatments for a fraction of the price. The moisturizing masks have heavenly scents, like lemon and peppermint, and each one has a specific job, from nourishing to firming to moisturizing to brightening.
For the new homeowner
Sage Leaf Energy Cleansing Candle
Help them start out in their new place with the fresh, positive energy of this cleansing candle, which is intended to cleanse the space of any negativity. It’s the candle equivalent of “smudging,” with the calming sage scent taking on the role of the sacred herbs traditionally used in the ceremony. All they’ll know is it smells good and the future looks bright. It’s a thoughtful housewarming gift, as well as a nice surprise for those starting a new job or embarking on a new venture.
For the bird-watcher
Hummingbird Feeder
A hummingbird feeder provides much-needed sustenance to the birds, and gives your giftee a front-row seat to these gorgeous creatures as they gather in the yard. We love how it’s designed with a built-in ant moat, and it’s easy to clean. It would make a wonderful gift for grandpa, who will be happy to share his sightings with you.
For the spicy food enthusiast
Hot Sauce Sampler Set
This 30-piece sampler is tailor-made for the person who always orders the hottest dish on the menu. Set their taste buds on fire (in a good way) with a wide range of hot sauces. They’ll need just the littlest bit for a huge impact, so this affordable gift should last a long time.
For the hobby seeker
Pickleball Set
Pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in the country over the last few years. It’s easy to learn, so much fun to play and great for players of all ages. This beginner pickleball set comes with two high-quality rackets, a carrying case, two cooling towels and four balls. It’s a backyard game they’ll look forward to breaking out on the weekends.
For the sweet tooth
Ice Cream Maker
Anyone on your Secret Santa gifts list who loves ice cream will enjoy the simple process of making it at home. The Beautiful ice cream maker by Drew Barrymore is a handy kitchen gadget that allows the recipient to control what goes into it, whether they want to make their sweet treat dairy-free, sugar-free or vegan. It also makes slushies and frozen margaritas. Hopefully, this gift will score you an invite to their next tasty gathering.
For the TikTok beauty guru
Kerastase Elixir Ultime Original Oil
A favorite of the TikTok beauty community, as well as A-listers like Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Rodrigo and even Meghan Markle, this iconic hair oil from Kerastase is pretty much a miracle worker. Your recipient will be thrilled to have their own bottle of the liquid gold, which offers 71% more shine and 24 hours of anti-humidity protection. It even makes a luxurious stocking stuffer.
For the chocoholic
Milk Chocolate Box
Straight from Hawaii, this bestselling collection from Hawaiian Host is like a tropical vacation in itself. Eighteen scrumptious pieces of “the original chocolate-covered macadamia” will make any chocoholic smile—and dig in. Take it as a sign that you nailed it.
On Sale
For the champion of breakfast
Mini Waffle Maker
Give them something to get excited about with this adorable mini waffle maker. It has more than 190,000 five-star ratings praising its size, efficiency and ease of use. It comes in lots of colors and shapes and will get them off to a great start every day. Give it to a college student as a graduation gift so you know they’ll at least eat breakfast when they’re on their own.
For those who make lemonade out of lemons
Electric Citrus Juicer
Not only will this cheery juicer from Proctor Silex let them whip up a fresh sip, but it also supports Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which funds research into childhood cancer and offers resources for families who need help. This gift that gives back features a detachable pitcher and a dial to customize the amount of pulp, and can also be used with oranges and limes, too. Plus, it’s easy to use and clean, and it even comes with a recipe book that provides tips for creating their own lemonade stand.
For the wannabe rock star
One-String Guitar
Sure, they’re amazing at playing air guitar, but help them take it up a level with this one-string wood guitar that will have them strumming actual songs in minutes. Designed by three giants of the music industry, including Dave Matthews, the TinkerTar is geared toward anyone who wants to learn to play, from little kids to grandparents. It’ll be a much-appreciated gift for music lovers.
For the U.S. Open fan
Tennis Racquet Salad Servers
The ball’s in your court, and you’re going to ace this Secret Santa thing, thanks to these salad servers shaped like tennis rackets. Made of sustainably sourced solid beechwood, they are practical and fun, and will be used for many dinners to come.
For the inked
Tattoo Aftercare Cream
Anyone who has a tattoo will appreciate this rich cream that helps skin heal and stay soft while bringing out the vivid colors of the artwork itself. Vegan, cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients like shea, mango and aloe butters, it’s recommended by tattoo artists and is a bestseller with more than 28,000 five star ratings. Who knows, your recipient may be inspired to tattoo your name on their arm out of gratitude (ha!).
For the enlightened one
White Birch Candle
Anyone who loves to keep scented candles burning will adore this warm, woodsy option from Backyard Candles that smells like the holidays. The notes of pine and cypress create a homey scent that becomes even more inviting with infused essential oils, like fir needle, cedarwood and eucalyptus. What makes this candle so special, though, is its eco-friendly focus. The wax is poured into a real coconut shell that’s been upcycled, so it’s both sustainable and stylish, and the seed dust covers can be planted to grow wildflowers. Also, 5% of every sale is donated to clean up the ocean and restore coral reefs.
For the cat parent
Cotton Rope Cat Bed
The purr-fect gift for cat lovers, this beautiful cotton rope bed will not only be a feline favorite, but will look great in any human home. It’s available in three color combinations and strong enough to hold up to scratching. Plus, this certified Women’s Business Enterprise supports big cat conservation projects with each purchase.
On Sale
For the trend follower
Dry Brush
Not familiar with dry brushing? Celebs from Elle Macpherson to Candace Cameron Bure rave about this beauty trick that improves circulation and uncovers glowing skin. Made of 100% organic sisal bristles, this sturdy dry brush should be used on—you guessed it—dry skin one to two times per week for next-level exfoliation.
For the makeup lover
Caboodles Cosmetics Case
Caboodles were massively popular in the late 1980s, but the brand’s pretty and practical cosmetics cases are going viral again 40 years later, thanks to their trendy tackle box inspiration. The plastic case has a large space at the bottom to store bigger items, like brushes, with a tray dividing into three compartments at the top. It keeps makeup organized, and it’s easy to clean. It’s a cute gift for girls (or those trying to relive their childhoods).
For the organized professional
Glass Desktop Computer Pad
This Secret Santa gift idea will delight the person whose desk is always clean and organized. The top of this computer pad is made of marble and a glass dry-erase board. And there’s storage space underneath for dry-erase markers and other accessories. It fits right between the monitor and keyboard, specifically designed to lay at an angle that’s just right for reading and writing. This gift for writers lets them jot down creative ideas without interrupting their day jobs.
For the vegan
Cocoa Hazelnut Spread
Can you say yum? This delectable vegan dark chocolate hazelnut spread is delicious on bread… or straight out of the jar. It’s keto friendly and sugar-free, and tastes so good, so they’ll find it hard to believe it’s vegan. But it is, which makes it a thoughtful gift for a co-worker who can’t eat the chocolates everyone brings to the office around the holidays.
For the beauty buff
Deborah Lippmann Lip and Nail Duet
Available in clear or a universally flattering mauve, this lip-and-nail set from celebrity nail guru Deborah Lippmann comes with a CBD-infused lip gloss and a treatment-enriched nail polish. We love that the top-notch polish gives nails a gel manicure look without the damage while the gloss has hyaluronic acid to promote plumper, healthier lips.
For the DIYer
Bath Bomb-Making Kit
If you want a Secret Santa gift that inspires rest and relaxation, as well as creativity, this bath bomb-making kit is one of the best. The set comes with everything your recipient needs to make a dozen bath bombs with scrumptious scents like eucalyptus, lavender, grape and lemon. The ingredients for each bath bomb are high-quality, all-natural and GMO-free. What’s not to love about that?
For the candle collector
Personalized Scented Candle
Personalized gifts are always so appreciated, and we adore how you can customize this scented candle in every way possible. To start, choose from a wide variety of scents, including birthday cake, fresh cut grass, lavender vanilla and fresh linen. Then, personalize the type of label the gift recipient would most appreciate and write a detailed, custom message that can be as serious or silly as you’d like.
For the always-stressed friend
Relax and Unwind Gift Set
They say too much stress can be detrimental to your health. A calming gift set like this one has everything they need for a peaceful night in, including a robe, bath bomb, tea and candles. They’re sure to think of you every time they kick their feet up in pure bliss after a long day.
For the allergy sufferer
Portable Mini Air Purifier
“Just breathe” is a common wellness phrase, but that’s easier said than done in some settings. This tiny, yet mighty, air purifier from PureZone can change all that. It reduces smoke, pet dander, dust and pollen in the air with its carbon-activated pre-filter and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. We say it’s one of the best air purifiers out there.
On Sale
For the one who runs hot
Personal Fan
If your giftee is always complaining about the heat, this quiet fan will give them the cooling relief they so desperately desire. It works for the office or a bedroom, and it’s so light that they can easily tote it from room to room, depending on their needs that day. It comes in six colors, so you can choose which one matches their vibe the best.
On Sale
For the one who runs cold
Personal Mini Space Heater
On the other hand, your always-cold co-worker might actually stop wearing their bulky winter coat in the office if they have a Lasko space heater on their desk. This space heater is just 6 inches high and 4 inches wide, and it will provide a burst of heat when they need it most. Bonus: Since it’s low wattage, it can be plugged in anywhere.
For the weekend adventurer
Samsonite Duffel Bag
Who doesn’t want to keep things simple during the complex travel process? This classic Samsonite Tote-A-Ton duffel bag is a must for packing anything you need to get away for a weekend, and it also works as a carry-on when paired with other luggage for longer adventures. We love its many interior and exterior pockets to keep things organized.
For the polished friend
Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish Kit
This nail polish duo from the beloved Essie brand is free of animal-derived ingredients, as well as eight harmful ingredients commonly used in beauty products. We love that it gives a salon-worthy gel-like look in just two simple steps. It’s long-lasting, chip-resistant and easy to remove.
On Sale
For the prankster
Pet Dust Boots
This gag gift box will make the recipient do a double take. At first it appears to be a bizarre, animal-powered debris-removal system. But don’t worry—we aren’t suggesting that Fido gets to work. He should, of course, spend his time savoring long walks, eating treats and enjoying belly rubs from you instead. This is just an empty box that you can use to cover the real gift!
For the business traveler
Laptop Bag
This reviewer-favorite laptop sleeve, which has nearly 29,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, is sleek, stylish and does its job of protecting 14- to 15.6-inch laptops. We love that it comes in a variety of striking color combinations. Plus, its price is on point for a lower-budget Secret Santa gift.
For the go-getter
Vision Journal
This spiral journal from Erin Condren will encourage anyone with a big goal to go for it. Filled with inspirational quotes, as well as brainstorming and reflection pages, this notebook will guide them through the process of achieving their goals in a way that isn’t overwhelming.
For the amateur artist
Watercolor Paint and Tool Art Set
If you’re looking for Secret Santa gifts for artists, take a look at Arteza’s watercolor paint set. It fits so many high-quality art supplies that even a first-time artist can easily create a masterpiece. It includes 18 watercolor paints, a dozen half-pans, three paintbrushes, one canvas, one watercolor paper pad and a wooden storage case to carry it all. The only thing they’ll need to add is water.
For the music lover
Sonos Speaker Set
Big sound comes in a small package with this set of smart speakers from Sonos. It empowers music lovers to enjoy their favorite tunes throughout their homes, and it offers a deep, high-quality, powerful sound, as well as a compact design that fits easily into almost any space. They’ll be able to stream sound directly from their iPhone or iPad, and ask Siri to play Apple Music.
For the work-from-home professional
Ergonomic Laptop Desk
Who wants a desk when you can have a lap desk? If your giftee likes to switch up their scenery while they work, this fabric and bamboo tech accessory will be a lifesaver. We love that it’s designed to conform to any lap, and it has a built-in groove to hold a tablet or smartphone, too. Plus, it comes in six different colors, so you can choose the one that best matches their home decor.
On Sale
For the game night lover
Trivia Game
With more than 400 questions, the Things They Don’t Teach You in School trivia game is ideal for your next family gathering or office party. Want to know why the Mona Lisa doesn’t have eyebrows or when shampoo was invented? We bet you do now! This is one of those Secret Santa gifts that also makes a fun stocking stuffer for family members—not to mention an entertaining Christmas activity once all the presents are opened.
What is Secret Santa?
For a traditional Secret Santa experience, members of a group all put their names in a drawing, then each person picks someone anonymously. You’re the Secret Santa for the person you draw, and you’ll pick out a gift based on what you know about the recipient. The group sets parameters for how small or elaborate each gift should be beforehand.
