The holiday season is officially here, which means Secret Santa parties and white elephant gift exchanges are moments away. Whether you draw someone’s name out of a hat, use a website or swap Secret Santa gifts as part of a game, these holiday traditions are always a good time.
While buying gifts for your family can be an intricate process, Secret Santa gift exchanges allow for a little more creativity while shopping. Perfect for larger celebrations with co-workers, friends or extended family, these gifts tend to be great conversation starters and typically come with spending limits set by the organizer.
That said, getting from the planning process to ripping open the wrapping paper of a Secret Santa gift can be tricky. Luckily, we have the answers to all your burning questions, from the rules to the tried-and-true game to the best Secret Santa gifts for every person, no matter their interests.
Gifts under $15 | Gifts under $25 | Gifts under $50 | Meet the expert
Secret Santa gifts under $15
Paladone “Friends” Draw-It Game
Fans of the TV show “Friends” will enjoy this gift. The game has players draw out different scenarios from the iconic sitcom for others to try to guess what’s going on in the picture. Your party will forever be known as “The one where Secret Santa got it right.”
Hagibis Cleaning Pen for AirPods Pro
Most people with AirPods probably don’t clean them as much as they should. Instead of digging around the case with some combination of cotton swabs and cleaning products, this designated cleaning pen will make the process easy for them. One Shop TODAY writer saw a huge difference after using it, saying she was “astounded (and frankly pretty disgusted) by the amount of dirt and wax that came out from inside the bud.”
Pampered Chef Sweet Cornbread Mix
Is your Secret Santa recipient a foodie or an aspiring baker? Gift them this easy, comforting and delicious cornbread mix that's sure to fill their heart (and their stomach) this holiday!
The Screaming Goat
A Shop TODAY bestseller for the last several holiday seasons, this gift’s exactly what it looks like: a goat figurine that screams when you press it! It’s also perfect for that co-worker that needs to let out a little frustration.
Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy
This miniature inflatable tube guy with nearly 22,000+ verified five-star ratings on Amazon has a fan at the bottom so he’ll dance and inflate wherever you put him
Bracelet Helper Tool
Who wouldn't use an extra hand putting on bracelets, this tool is for them. To use the gadget, hold it in one hand to keep the bracelet end in place and use your other hand to close the clasp around your wrist.
BS-MALL Makeup Brush Set
Shop TODAY editors and our readers love this $10 makeup brush set that comes with every type of brush you could need and a hard-shell carrying case. Plus, it has amassed more than 30,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.
Peripera Ink Velvet Lip Tint
Looking for a gift that will arrive on time? This editor-loved lip tint is available in 20 shades and will arrive in a couple days if you have Amazon Prime.
Paint by Sticker: Plants and Flowers
Love arts and crafts but hate the mess that’s often associated with it? Their creativity will be blossoming when they get their hands on this “paint by sticker” book that includes everything you need to create a dozen vibrant works of art.
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Who doesn’t love waffles? This tiny but mighty waffle maker is bound to be a hit — especially since it has over 191,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon and is currently a bestseller.
Fly by Jing Xtra Spicy Chili Crisp
Can they handle the heat? Put their palate to the test with Fly by Jing’s “most requested product ever,” their super spicy (and super new) chili crisp that’s said to have “three times the heat” of the original.
Haute Soiree Women’s Novelty Socks
We love good novelty socks because they are cute and super useful for wearing around the house. These women’s socks come in a variety of designs with cute phrases such as, “If you can read this, bring me some wine,” and “If you can read this, bring me a marg.”
W&P Silicone Water Bottle Ice Tray
Thirsty for cold H2O? Most water bottles have mouthpieces that are too small to put ice cubes, but this silicone tray easily rectifies that issue!
Personalized My Last Nerve Soy Candle
For the person who needs a laugh, this personalized candle will have them chuckling like Old Saint Nick. You can customize their candle with their name and the scent of your choice before giving it to them on the big day.
“The Star Wars Cookbook: Wookiee Cookies and Other Galactic Recipes,” by Robin Davis
This bestseller was published in 1998, but it’s remained popular with the release of the latest movies in the epic space saga. From C-3PO pancakes to Jedi juice bars, this intergalactic “Star Wars” cookbook features healthy snacks, delicious dishes, sweet treats and easy main courses that no rebel can resist.
Burt’s Bees Tips and Toes Kit
It’s easy to resort to skin care products when it comes to Secret Santa gifts, but this Burt’s Bees set is something they’ll actually be excited about. For starters, it includes six travel-sized versions of their bestselling hand and foot care items. Plus, how can you ignore its nearly 63,000 verified five-star ratings?
PureWine Wand Filters
Oenophiles will enjoy this bestselling wine wand that not only looks pretty in a glass but also removes sulfites and histamines, effectively reducing the likelihood of headaches and hangovers the next morning, according to the brand.
Juboury Golf Pen Set
For the golf lover on your list, consider these pens that look like clubs. The set includes pens that look like a driver, putter and iron, along with a pin flag and two tiny golf balls.
30 Watt Sipski Wine Glass Holder
This holder can bond to almost any surface — including bathroom tile — so their glass of wine is never more than an arm’s length away. The contraption can hold a stemmed or stemless wine glass and is water- and mildew-resistant.
Mini Desktop Vacuum Cleaner
Instantly become the best co-worker by helping them keep their desk tidy with this mini vacuum cleaner. It’s rechargeable so they can easily keep lunch crumbs off their keyboard.
Apsvo Chunky Gold Hoop Earrings
This TikTok-viral gift option is great for someone in your Secret Santa group who is always online. The trendy earrings are lightweight and beautiful, according to reviewers.
“These arrived in a really nice little box, totally secured in thick, soft foam perfectly formed to the earring, with another set of alternate backs,” one verified reviewer wrote. “They have a weight that makes them feel expensive and a beautiful color. I’ve worn them a lot, they haven’t tarnished, and I receive compliments on them regularly.”
Bin-go To A Dumb Meeting Bingo Book
If your office is playing Secret Santa, this is a great gift for your co-worker. The book includes 12 double-sided Bingo cards that will help your giftee make the most of a long work day. One side is related to meetings, while the other is related to general office life.
Solar Photography Kit
For just under $15, your giftee can create an endless array of images on fabric or paper simply by placing every day objects on the Sunography paper and exposing them to sunlight to reveal a rich blue print.
Bushwick Kitchen Bees Knees Spicy Honey
Hot, spicy honey has been a consistent food trend the last several years. Give this fiery condiment to the foodie on your Secret Santa list and they’ll be adding it to everything from pizza to cookies to ice cream.
Secret Santa gifts under $25
Gourmet-Scented Colored Smencils
This year, our editors have noticed that 90s toys are everywhere. Whether you’re shopping for a 40-year-old or a 20-year-old, they’ll love these nostalgic Smencils that smell like bubble gum, jelly donuts and more. They’re even pre-sharpened, so the fun can start right away.
Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer
Help keep their coffee or tea at the perfect temperature with this mug warmer. The small tray takes up just a little bit of room on a desk, but it’s worth it to not have to get up and reheat coffee in the microwave.
Puffin Beverage Flannel
Keep the condensation from bottles and cans off your hands with this beverage flannel. The funny drink insulator comes in four buffalo plaid colors and even has tiny arms that tuck into pockets.
Tskestvy Retro Vintage Sunglasses
Sometimes, quantity is better than quality. But who said you can’t have both? This pack of four retro sunglasses is ideal for the giftee with a versatile wardrobe.
“These sunglasses are fabulous! The style is great, exactly what I was looking for! And the price for 4 pairs is incredible!” one reviewer wrote on Amazon. “The quality is excellent and the colors are just perfect for every outfit!”
Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel
Beauty lovers actively seeking the next hot trend will obsess over this Japanese exfoliating towel. Made to scrub away dirt and dead skin more effectively than your traditional washcloth, Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach also loves how this Amazon beauty essential assists with ridding of ingrown hairs.
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
A bottle of wine is a go-to present for any host or foodie, but you can make the crowd-pleasing gift extra special this year with a complimentary custom label from Josh Cellars. To get started, just visit the brand’s personalized label maker site and upload a favorite image and add text. Once the complimentary label arrives in the mail, simply affix it to one of the brand’s signature wine bottles, like this bestselling Cabernet Sauvignon.
Gift some beauty sleep this holiday season! We all know someone who values their sleep and this satin pillowcase is gentle, helps reduce breakouts and stays cool all night, according to the brand.
Don’t Speak! Coffee Mug
If you’re heading to a work holiday party, this sassy coffee mug is sure to be a hit with any co-workers who can’t do anything before that first sip of coffee.
WHATEVER: The Awkward and Embarrassing Party Card Game
For the friend who’s always hosting game night, WHATEVER will be an instant hit. Adult players will encounter physical challenges, funny dares and maybe even reveal a few secrets.
Esarora Ice Roller
Do you know someone who needs a bit of stress relief? This ice roller — which one Shop TODAY associate editor calls "a wake-up call" for her face — can do just that (along with reducing puffiness and under-eye bags).
Deluxity Lightweight Medium Crossbody Bag with Tassel
Shoppers love this crossbody bag because it’s lightweight, fashionable and versatile. It’s available in 34 colors, so you can gift a holiday accessory or timeless classic.
Taco vs Burrito Card Game
One of the most popular games for families right now is Taco vs. Burrito. It’s quick to play but also fairly strategic, so kids (7+) and adults will enjoy the card-based food fight.
Uncommon Goods Banana-Saving Hats
We’ve all fallen victim to bananas going bad before we get a chance to use them. While we’d love it if the hats themselves had magical banana-saving powers, the usefulness actually comes from the silicone cap you place on the crown first which is meant to slow the absorption of ethylene gas (which is what causes them to brown). Then you place the fun hat on top!
Petersen Family Farm Bottled Popcorn Trio
For the movie buff, this popcorn trio makes for a great gift to make their next movie night one to remember. Made with three different variants — yellow, red and calico — each bottle has very unique flavors. Whether they go salty or sweet, they’ll be raving about this popcorn.
Hydro Flask Travel Coffee Mug
This travel-friendly and bestselling coffee mug from Hydro Flask is designed to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for hours.
Minthologie Studio Zodiac Constellation Necklace
If your Secret Santa giftee loves delicate jewelry, consider this zodiac constellation necklace. It comes in gold or silver so you can pick which one will match their preference better.
Custom Made Stamp Cookie Cutter
Upload a photo of yourself or someone else, then receive a custom cookie cutter featuring a very lifelike face that can be embossed onto cookie dough. Choose up to eight faces for one cookie cutter so no one gets left out.
LED Flashlight Gloves
For the person who overestimates their night vision capabilities, these gloves — a Shop TODAY bestseller! — will rock their world. They have LED lights that can be angled towards whatever direction they’re working towards, plus they’re made with a breathable lightweight material that can fit any hand size.
Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook
For the person on your list who is constantly making a grocery list, writing notes for work or rolling today’s to-do list over to tomorrow, this reusable notebook is fun and helpful. There are 36 pages, but each of them can be wiped completely clean with a damp cloth.
Corkcicle Whiskey Wedge and Glass
For the bourbon or whiskey fan on your list, consider this glass that creates a sloping ice cube that will keep their drink cold without diluting it. The set comes with the glass and the ice mold; all they need to do is add water and wait for the ice to form.
Halluci Women’s Cross Band Fleece Slippers
Give the gift of comfort with these cozy, on-trend slippers. The slippers come in several different colors, so you can pick which ones they will like best. No doubt they’ll be slipping these on halfway through the party.
The Stranded Stitch Desert Cacti DIY Cross Stitch Kit
Cross-stitching is an easy craft that’s gained popularity over the past several years. This trendy cacti pattern is simple and includes everything needed to make a pretty piece to hang in someone’s home.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Beauty connoisseurs may best know Sol de Janeiro for their irresistibly delicious scents, but this body cream also aids in tightening and firming skin thanks to key ingredients like caffeine and cupuaçu butter.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Chapped lips? That's not a problem they'll have to deal with this winter, thanks to this viral (and Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winning) lip mask with over a million likes on Sephora's website. Nourishing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil aid with delivering ample moisture while they're catching up on much-earned zzz's.
Benevolence LA Velvet Travel Jewelry Storage Box
This award-winning jewelry box has previously been one of Oprah’s Favorite Things. It has two compartments and a built-in mirror, so your giftee can store all their jewelry while making sure they approve of their look.
Couch Coaster
Colder temperatures means more time at home...and on the couch. Prep them for a mess-free hibernation season with this ergonomic cup holder that prevents drips and spills.
Secret Santa gifts under $50
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
Could you believe one of the hottest accessories of the year happens to be an oversized water bottle? One of the most popular “emotional support water bottles“ is this colorful Owala option. Former Shop TODAY page Casey Dawson is personally a fan of this bright bottle, as well. “Twist off lids always felt annoying to keep fiddling with, so the pop-open lid (with a lock) is so convenient... I also used it in 100-degree weather in Austin out at the pool in the sun, and the ice inside didn’t melt for hours!”
Roku Express 4K+
A great tech gift doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re shopping for a bestie who loves to binge watch or a coworker who uses their lunch break to catch up on their favorite TV show, the Roku Express remote will give them access to free, live, and premium TV at the click of a button.
Bella Haus Design Yoga Sloth Figurines in Ugly Christmas Sweaters
If they are as obsessed with sloths as we are, they are going to love these quirky sloth figurines that are wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and doing yoga. Honestly, we would display these year-round.
Papier Daily Notebook
They can write out their long-term resolutions or never miss an opportunity to jot down their thoughts with this journal from Papier, filled with 96 lined pages.
Mark & Graham Nomad Rugged Case for AirPods
Give their AirPods a new home this Christmas with this personalized leather case. Available in brown and black, Mark & Graham also offers other leather goods that can be customized to gift like phone cases, charging accessory trays and laptop sleeves, among many others.
Truff White Truffle Hot Sauce
This truffle oil-infused hot sauce contains ripe chili peppers, organic agave nectar, white truffle oil and coriander and is sure to be a hit with foodies.
Homage NFL Big Helmet T-Shirt
If your Secret Santa recipient is the sports type, you can't go wrong with some officially licensed NFL merch! Homage has the gear to suit up fans of just about any team for game day, like this vintage-inspired graphic T-shirt that's super soft and goes up to size 3XL.
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
The Lululemon belt bag is a Shop TODAY reader and editor favorite. We love it for the convenience it provides us — “It’s my go-to bag when I walk my dog, head to a workout class and even while traveling. It’s the perfect size to hold all my essentials: wallet, phone, AirPods & hand sanitizer,” commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto says.
Jacobsen Salt Co. Infused Salt Slide Tin Collection
If there's one thing every foodie appreciates, it's some good salt. With this sampler set, they can try five different infused flakey salts that come in a fancy tin. From rosemary to garlic salt, there's bound to be a favorite in this set.
Jiggy Puzzles Picnic a la Plage
Puzzles are a great Secret Santa gift for those who enjoy a bit of a challenge. This puzzle comes in a beautiful glass jar for easy storing.
Pure Enrichment PureRelief Electric Foot Warmer
If you know someone who is always cold, this foot warmer will become the gift that keeps on giving. It can be plugged in under a desk or used on the couch, and all they have to do is slip their feet in to get cozy.
Tinggly Gift Card
If you're doing Secret Santa with a big group of people and you want to get something that anyone could be happy with, you can't go wrong with a Tinggly gift card. It lets them choose from unique experiences like spa stays, food tours and more both in their city and abroad.
Meet the expert
- Dayna Isom Johnson is the trend expert for Etsy. Her expertise is in hottest market trends, up-and-coming Etsy designers and sellers with exciting stories.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present at any budget including gifts under $25, gifts under $50, gifts under $100 and more.
