It's that time of the year. When the days get colder and the nights get longer. When everything is covered in splashes of red, white and gold. When the HR department at work gets busy decking up the office with festive decor. When the surge of panic starts rushing through your bloodstream at the thought of yet another annual Secret Santa ritual. Tis the season to be jolly, tis the season of Christmas!
Picking gifts for those close to you is stressful enough, now you have to go through that process for a random co-worker you barely know anything about? Ease your worries, we are here to help. Read on to discover the best Secret Santa gifts for your co-workers which are readily available, easy on the pocket, AND make you seem thoughtful!
1. A Poster Of Their Favourite TV Show
In today's time and age, there is no singular factor more unifying for two distinct individuals than a common favourite TV show. With rampant pop culture references in every form imaginable, ranging from clothes and desk decor to jokes and memes, it is almost impossible to overlook a fellow Breaking Bad enthusiast or another "Sherlocked" fan. Thus, suffice it to say, a cool quote from a TV show they enjoy is likely to be a Secret Santa gift they will hold on to, at least for a while.
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2. A Hand-Written Letter Mentioning The Things You Admire About Them
Now, you don't need to be particularly close to a person to come up with this Secret Santa gift. Every individual has certain distinct features or qualities to them that seem admirable or endearing. A hand-written letter listing out these qualities is likely to warm the coldest of hearts out there! You can write about anything you appreciate about them, whether it is as big as their work ethic or even a minuscule detail like the way their eyes crinkle when they smile!
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3. A Set Of Your Cherished Recipes
Sharing food is akin to spreading joy, and isn't that what Christmas is all about, anyway? If there are certain recipes that bring an instant surge of warmth into your life, why not share those with your Secret Santa recipient? Try to keep these recipes as minimalistic and easy as possible. For an amateur cook, a set of trusted recipes that are cherished by another person could be a source of instant home-like comfort!
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4. A DIY Gardening Kit
Gardening is perhaps one of those hobbies everybody views as potentially relaxing and enjoyable, but few take out the time to actually indulge in. If your Secret Santa recipient seems particularly bogged down or stressed out, a mini DIY Gardening kit could be the perfect natural relaxant! Look for a kit with detailed instructions especially if you are planning on giving it to a first-time gardener. You never know, this could be the start of a life-long cherished hobby!
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5. A Leather Bound Scrap Book
Everybody has certain memories that they hold on to fondly, and revisit whenever things get tough. A gift like a leather-bound scrapbook simply lends some structure to the former process. The best part about such a gift is the minimal restrictions they come with and the plethora of options they can be channelled into. Your Secret Santa gift recipient can use it to archive anything from old photographs, to a cherished stamp collection to ticket stubs from shows they watched with their significant other!
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6. A Book With A Personal Starting Note
Got a favourite book that changed your life for the better? Extend the favour to someone else this Christmas! A book is the kind of gift that always keeps on giving, and sharing an important part of who you are, albeit with someone you barely know, encompasses the spirit of Christmas! Leave a personalised hand-written starting note and even if the person ends up not reading or enjoying the book like you did, they will always remember you as a highly thoughtful Secret Santa!
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7. A Leather Laptop Sleeve
There are very few materials in the world which add the kind of class and charm to an object, that leather naturally does. The best part about leather is that although it looks expensive and refined, finding a cheap leather object that fits your budget only needs a careful eye. A leather laptop sleeve is the perfect Secret Santa gift for any co-worker as it is highly utilitarian and practical whilst also retaining a tasteful look!
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8. A Jar Full Of Candy
This one is like gifting someone a bag full of sunshine! Even if your Secret Santa gift recipient does not harbour a sweet tooth, every human being likes indulging in a supposedly unhealthy snack every now and then! Go for something commonly liked such as assorted chocolates, marshmallows, or Gems! This Secret Santa gift is an instant mood-lifter and a joy that can be shared with almost everybody!
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9. A Beginner's Recipe Book For Cocktails
If your Secret Santa gift recipient happens to be an alcohol enthusiast, why not equip him/her with the ability to create their own signature cocktails as opposed to paying for over-priced drinks at a bar, every time? A beginner's guide to mixology would be much appreciated by just about anybody with a soft-spot for yummy alcoholic beverages! Look for a book that isn't complex and comprises of cocktail recipes with minimalistic ingredients, in order to encourage them to invest in a potential new hobby!
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10. A Drinking Flask With Their Initials Engraved
Another perfect Secret Santa gift for all the alcohol lovers out there, a personalised drinking flask could be THE gateway for them to drink without poking a hole in the wallet! Think about all the times you were going out at night, and had to resort to pre-gaming at home in order to save some money. A drinking flask engraved with your Secret Santa recipient's initials will not only solve the aforementioned problem by allowing them to carry alcohol with them, it will also add a touch of personalisation!
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11. A Set Of Hot Chocolate Powder, A Mug And A Packet Of Marshmallows
With Christmas being that time of the year when the season of Winter is usually at its peak, who wouldn't appreciate a cosy time wrapped up in one personalised hamper? A package of personal seasonal favourites which bring about an instant surge of warmth and comfort can be the perfect accompaniment on a cold Christmas night! You can modify the contents of the package depending upon the choices of your Secret Santa gift recipient.
Image Courtesy - Not On The High Street
12. A Personalised Spotify Playlist
Is there anything more meaningful than actual, genuine effort? Put some thought into curating a personalised, one-of-a-kind playlist for your Secret Santa partner and watch them light up like a Christmas tree! Inexpensive and efficient, this gift only requires you to devote a couple of hours and voila! Instant sincerity in the form of a musical Secret Santa gift!
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13. Winter Skin Care Kit
This one is the kind of Secret Santa gift that the recipient will be forever grateful for! With winters fast approaching, dry skin is almost inevitable. However, you can definitely aid your Secret Santa partner fight off this predestined predicament! Create a hamper consisting of winter skin care essentials such as mosturiser, scrub, foot cream etc. If you aren't sure about your Secret Santa partner's choice in cosmetics, opt for a miniature version of these products!
Image Courtesy - Etsy
14. Animal Succulent Planters
Not only are animal succulent planters cute, they are also extremely functional! With pollution on a steady incline in virtually every city of the nation, everybody would appreciate a constant albeit small source of oxygen! Look for an indoor plant which is particularly low maintenance and requires minimal attention such as Pothos, Snake Plant or Jade. With a cute planter to go with it, you have to yourself an inexpensive yet meaningful Secret Santa gift!
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15. Any Fancy Liquor Within Your Budget
If your Secret Santa partner has a penchant for drinking, why not help them stay warm this winter with a fancy bottle of liquor? And mind you, that doesn't necessarily have to be a cue for you to spend a fortune. A lot of quality liquor in various categories whether it is gin, wine or whiskey, can be bought at reasonable prices! Start scouting online and offline stores for that perfect liquor bottle, now!
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So there we have it, people! You've reached the end of the list of the best and most meaningful Secret Santa gifts that fall within the confines of a reasonable budget! This Secret Santa season, keep calm, refer to this list, and surprise everybody with how thoughtful you are!
