The holiday season is here, which means Secret Santa parties and white elephant gift exchanges are already scheduled and rapidly approaching. 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, our editors 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.
Best Secret Santa gifts under $15
Love arts and crafts but hate the mess that’s often associated with them? 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.
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!
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.
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.”
Gift some beauty sleep this holiday season! We all know someone who values their sleep and this satin pillowcase is not only a Shop TODAY Sleep Awards winner, but it's gentle, helps reduce breakouts and stays cool all night, according to the brand.
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.
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.”
Who doesn’t love waffles? This tiny but mighty waffle maker is bound to be a hit — especially since it has over 216,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon and is currently a bestseller.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No clue what to get for a Secret Santa? A pair of classic, gold or silver huggies is bound to do the trick. SEO writer Jannely Espinal says, "I got a few pieces from this brand and love [them] because they are tarnish-free."
Best Secret Santa gifts under $25
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!”
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.
Keep the condensation from bottles and cans off your hands with this beverage flannel. The funny drink insulator comes in five buffalo plaid colors and even has tiny arms that tuck into pockets.
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.
Do you know someone who needs a bit of stress relief? This ice roller — which one Shop TODAY writer calls “a wake-up call” for her face — can do just that (along with reducing puffiness and under-eye bags).
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.
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.
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.
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 and adults will enjoy the card-based food fight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Best Secret Santa gifts under $50
This travel-friendly and bestselling coffee mug from Hydro Flask is designed to keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for hours. We recently put it to the test against another popular drinkware brand, and Hydro Flask proved to remain durable despite drop tests and portable thanks to its slim, travel-friendly design.
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.
They can write out their long-term resolutions or never miss an opportunity to jot down their thoughts with this prompted journal from Papier, filled with 96 lined pages.
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.
if there's a person in your life with totally cool and eclectic taste, this candle set is sure to surprise them. Social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo says that these candles are "so cute for a foodie person. These would look great on a table or for a host."
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.
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!”
When it comes to a surprise gift, you can never go wrong with an adorable piece of kitchen decor, and these glasses are the perfect pick. They're great for foodies and anyone who loves collecting unique home pieces.
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.
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.
How we chose the best Secret Santa gifts
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there that would be a hit at your Secret Santa party with any giftee. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
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.
