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.
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
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.”
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.
Your shortcut to editor approved picks
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.
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!
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Flaire & Co. Mini Dome Huggies
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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
“I love a Sephora or Ulta Beauty set for the girlies, especially if the price limit is an under $25 gift,” says editor Shannon Garlin. Y”ou can gift great skin care or makeup that you know they’ll be excited about!” They’ll love being able to try multiple shades of the beloved Summer Fridays lip balm in these adorable mini sizes!
I [Stewart-Jackson] recently learned about Black Paper Party and I am not only obsessed with all of their wrapping paper designs, but these candles smell absolutely incredible. There’s something for every mood and gathering throughout the holidays. It’ll definitely be a hit with any giftee.
Best Secret Santa gifts under $50
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.
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.
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.
Sephora gift sets are always a great gift because the recipient gets to try multiple brands and decide which one(s) they’d like to commit to with a full size. I [Stewart-Jackson] usually gift a couple of these sets like this hair one to my sisters for Christmas so they can discover new products.
Frequently asked questions
After determining who will take part in your Secret Santa gift exchange, you’ll have to decide whether you assign giftees manually or electronically.
If you go the manual route, gather your Secret Santa group in person and have each person write down their name on a piece of paper along with a few items on their wish list. Place all the slips of paper in a vessel and have each person draw a name. If the person draws their own paper, they should pick again.
If you go the electronic route, there are plenty of free websites that facilitate the assigning process. Some popular options include Elfster and Draw Names . Elfster does the hard work for you by drawing names, making the spending limit clear and sending invitations for the exchange. Draw Names shines because of its name drawing capabilities and group saving feature, which allows you to exchange with the same group year after year.
After you have your giftee, don’t wait to find them the perfect gift! While you might ultimately struggle with trying to find something that’s funny but still useful or affordable and still meaningful.
Secrecy is key to a successful Secret Santa gift exchange. Trust us, it’s in the name! After assigning giftees, no one should know who you’re shopping for until the giftee opens their Secret Santa gift. Once the giftee opens the gift, they’ll try to guess who gave them their gift. Good luck!
Past secrecy, it’s important to stay within the price limit your group sets. When drawing names, chat with everyone to determine the best budget for your group.
If you’re participating in a Secret Santa gift exchange with a group that you don’t know well, consider suggesting that your group incorporate a wish list into your exchange. If you’re drawing names manually, jot down a few gifts next to your name on your slip of paper. Secret Santa websites including Elfster and Draw Names also have a wish list capability.
If your group is prioritizing unique and custom gifts, Etsy also has a gift registry feature.
“We wanted to help shoppers for the holiday season remove the guessing game, right?” Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson says. “So this removes the guessing game and also really allows people to be more conscious with their spending because we know that pockets are a bit tighter this year, right? So how can we remove the guessing games and also allow people to really hone in on what they want and be budget conscious.”
No matter the wish list you choose, including one in your Secret Santa gift exchange helps everyone stay within their budget and receive a gift they love.
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.
