17 Brilliant Secret Santa Gifts for 2025
17 Brilliant Secret Santa Gifts for 2025
Thoughtful, Fun and Surprisingly Stylish
Secret Santa can be magical or mildly stressful. Whether you are buying for a colleague you barely know, a book-obsessed cousin or a foodie friend, the challenge is always the same: find something thoughtful, fun and useful, without blowing the budget.
To make life easier, we have curated 20 of the best Secret Santa gifts for 2025. These ideas work beautifully for office gift exchanges, family draw-a-name setups and friendship groups. You will find a mix of clever desk toys, cosy treats, foodie favourites and creative kits, plus one stand-out star at number one.
Most of these gifts sit comfortably in the classic Secret Santa budget range and many are small enough to tuck into a stocking or gift box. Use this list as your go to guide for Secret Santa gifts, stocking fillers and little “just because” presents all season.
1. Sock Geeks Sock Subscription
The gift that keeps surprising them every month
Nothing says quietly luxurious like perfectly designed socks arriving through the letterbox. A Sock Geeks sock subscription is the ideal Secret Santa gift for someone who appreciates comfort, quality and a bit of personality in their wardrobe.
Instead of another novelty mug, you are giving them a monthly moment of delight. Each delivery includes a beautifully designed pair of socks, curated for both style and comfort. It works for office professionals, students, dads, brothers, partners or that mysterious “person from accounts” whose name you pulled out of the hat.
You can choose the length of the subscription to match your budget, and because socks are one-size-friendly across mens and womens ranges, it is far easier than guessing jumper sizes. For SirLuxe customers who love refined everyday essentials, this sits perfectly alongside premium bamboo business socks and herringbone collections.
2. New York Times Cooking Page A Day Calendar 2026
For the home cook who never knows what to make for dinner. This compact recipe calendar is one of the smartest Secret Santa gifts for food lovers. Instead of scrolling endlessly for inspiration, they simply tear off a page and discover a new recipe suggestion for the day. From weekday dinners to weekend baking projects, it nudges them gently out of their cooking rut.
It looks neat on a desk or kitchen counter and gives them 365 reasons to try something new. Ideal for colleagues who bring leftovers to work, friends who love hosting or that relative who always says “I never know what to cook”.
3. Royal Golden Birdie Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer
The grooming gadget that is oddly glamorous
A nose and ear hair trimmer might sound like a joke gift, but this one is genuinely elegant. Made in Korea, the Royal Golden Birdie is a manual rotary trimmer with a golden finish that feels more like a quirky design object than a utilitarian tool.
It works quietly, fits easily in a washbag and trims without pulling. That makes it a clever Secret Santa gift for well groomed men, older relatives, or anyone who appreciates something that looks good and solves a slightly awkward problem.
4. Hightide Metal Book Stand
Retro style for cookbook lovers and desk dwellers
The Hightide Metal Book Stand is a small but mighty Secret Santa win. It can hold substantial cookbooks and reference books, then fold flat to tuck neatly onto a shelf when not in use. The mid century inspired design and bold colours make it double as décor.
It is perfect for people who cook from real books, students revising at their desk or anyone who likes to prop up a tablet or notebook. A stylish, genuinely useful gift that will not end up abandoned in a drawer.
5. Emily Lex Studio Flowers Watercolors Workbook
A gentle introduction to painting . This spiral bound workbook comes with 12 lightly sketched floral illustrations and simple, encouraging painting prompts. It is ideal for anyone who says they are “not artistic”, but has always wanted to play with watercolours.
Because the outlines are already drawn, the pressure is off. They can relax, follow the colour suggestions and end up with something surprisingly pretty. Add a small set of paints or brush pens if you want to round it out into a complete creativity gift set.
6. 30 Second Dance Party Button
Instant mood lift at the press of a button
The 30 Second Dance Party button is pure joy in a little yellow disc. Press the button and one of five upbeat electronic tracks plays for half a minute, no phone pairing required. It is silly, quick and strangely good at breaking tension.
This makes a brilliant Secret Santa gift for offices, shared houses, teachers, or anyone who works with kids. Just be aware it can become addictive, so maybe warn them before they give it to a toddler.
8. Malmaison Mini Glass Vases
Tiny colour pops for any room These miniature glass vases from the MoMA Design Store are barely two inches tall but make a big visual impact. Each is a different shape and colour, and they look beautiful with small stems, dried flowers or completely empty.
They are an ideal gift for design lovers, new homeowners, people in small flats or anyone who likes to make a windowsill or desk feel special. A simple, artful Secret Santa option that works for almost anyone.
9. Retro Point and Shoot Camera Phone Converter
For the phone photographer who misses old school cameras
This lightweight attachment clips onto a smartphone and adds a chunky grip and physical shutter button, so the phone feels like a classic point and shoot camera. It even features a tripod mount for more considered shots.
A brilliant Secret Santa gift for colleagues who always take photos at team events, families who travel together or anyone who loves a bit of retro flair in their tech. It is more than a novelty, because the grip genuinely makes one-handed photos easier.
10. CMY Cubes The Original Cube
A hypnotic little object for desk daydreamers
The CMY Cube is a colourful acrylic cube that shifts through a spectrum of hues as you rotate it. It uses cyan, magenta and yellow layers to create constantly changing colour combinations when light passes through.
It works as a fidget toy, mini art object and stress reliever all in one. Ideal for creative professionals, teens, students and anyone who appreciates something tactile and beautiful on their desk.
11. Shortbread House of Edinburgh Original Recipe Tin
The biscuit tin that converts shortbread sceptics
These buttery, crumbly biscuits are made in a family run bakery in Edinburgh and have earned a cult following. The texture has that perfect balance of melt in the mouth and slight crunch thanks to ground rice in the dough. This is an easy win for food lovers, tea drinkers and anyone who enjoys classic British treats. The tin looks gift ready and works beautifully as part of a hamper or paired with a favourite tea or coffee.
12. State Kite Napkin Set
Reusable napkins that double as table décor
The State Kite Napkin Set includes four cotton napkins, each in a different bold print. They are colourful, reusable and instantly make any table look more considered, whether it is a weeknight dinner or festive gathering.
This is a smart Secret Santa idea for people who like hosting, eco conscious friends or anyone building a more grown up home. Yes, they may need an iron for special occasions, but that is part of the charm.
13. Lonely Planet Where to Go When
If you know your recipient loves travel but not much else, this is a very safe, very inspiring Secret Santa choice. The book is organised month by month, with destination and experience ideas from festivals to wildlife events.
It works equally well for seasoned travellers planning their next adventure and armchair explorers who love to dream. Leave them a note inside asking which destination they would pick first.
14. Grow Organic Gift Seed Tin
For budding gardeners and balcony growers
Each reusable tin comes with ten packets of organic seeds based around a theme, such as herbal teas, edible front garden or survival crops. The seeds are sourced from Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply, a long standing sustainable grower.
It is a great Secret Santa gift for anyone with even a little outdoor space, from full gardens to balconies and patios. And if their first attempt does not germinate, the company is known for replacing seeds and offering advice, which makes this feel really supported and thoughtful.
15. Apple AirTag
Small tracker, big peace of mind
For recipients who use iPhones, an AirTag is one of the most useful Secret Santa gifts you can give. It pairs with Apple’s Find My network so they can track keys, bags, bikes or luggage with surprising accuracy.
It is especially handy for travellers, commuters or anyone who constantly misplaces things. Pair it with a keyring or luggage tag for a complete little gift. For Android users, you might suggest a Tile device instead.
16. Lego Bonsai Tree
A calming build that looks beautiful on display
This 878 piece bonsai kit from Lego’s Botanical Collection lets the recipient build a miniature tree with either green leaves or pink cherry blossom. Once assembled, it becomes a sculptural piece for shelves or desks.
It is a brilliant Secret Santa idea for Lego fans, design lovers or anyone who enjoys meditative, hands on hobbies. It delivers the satisfaction of gardening without the maintenance.
17. Kuretake Gansai Tambi 24 Colour Watercolour Set
For the secretly creative one
This Japanese watercolour set offers richly pigmented, slightly glossy paints inspired by natural tones. The pans are generous in size and easy to work with, even for beginners.
Gift this to anyone who has mentioned wanting to get into art, journaling or creative hobbies. Pair with a small sketchbook or that Emily Lex Flowers workbook above for an extra special bundle.
10 Most Asked Questions About Secret Santa Gifts
1. What is an appropriate budget for Secret Santa?
Most Secret Santa gift exchanges use a budget of £10 to £20, with some groups choosing £30. Sticking to the agreed budget keeps the experience fun, fair and stress free.
2. What makes a good Secret Santa gift?
A good Secret Santa gift is thoughtful, useful and universally appealing. Popular options include cosy socks, desk accessories, foodie treats, tech gadgets, creative kits and small homeware items.
3. What should I buy for someone I barely know?
Choose universally liked gifts that require no personal details, such as premium socks, candles, mini desk plants, recipe calendars, fidget toys or stationery. These are safe Secret Santa choices for colleagues and acquaintances.
4. How do I pick a Secret Santa gift for a colleague?
Think about daily habits and work routines. Coffee drinkers appreciate mugs or treat sets, tech lovers enjoy small phone accessories, creative colleagues enjoy journals or book stands and anyone in a cold office will welcome cosy socks.
5. Is giving socks as a Secret Santa gift a good idea?
Yes. High quality socks make excellent Secret Santa gifts because they are practical, stylish and size friendly. A Sock Geeks subscription is especially popular, offering a fun monthly surprise that feels premium without exceeding the budget.
6. Should Secret Santa gifts be funny or serious?
This depends on your group. Offices often suit thoughtful or lightly humorous gifts, while family and friend groups can go funnier. If you are unsure, choose something playful but still useful.
7. What should I avoid giving in Secret Santa?
Avoid overly personal gifts such as perfume, clothing sizes, political items or anything that may embarrass the recipient. Cheap novelty items that break quickly can also feel disappointing.
8. What do you give someone who has everything?
Choose a creative, experiential or consumable gift. Good choices include watercolour sets, desk objects like the CMY Cube, recipe calendars, AirTags, premium shortbread or small home décor pieces. These offer joy without clutter.
9. When should I buy my Secret Santa gift?
Buy your Secret Santa gift one to two weeks before the exchange to allow time for delivery and wrapping. Subscription gifts like Sock Geeks are ideal for last minute gifting because they come with an instant digital card.
10. How do I make my Secret Santa gift feel more special?
Enhance your gift with thoughtful touches such as handwritten notes, premium wrapping, small add ons or personal references. Even simple Secret Santa gifts feel special when presented well.
Final Secret Santa Tip
A great Secret Santa gift does not need to be expensive or over the top. It just needs to feel considered, a little bit personal and genuinely useful or delightful.
If you want something that feels quietly premium, consider pairing one of these gifts with a pair of SirLuxe bamboo business socks for the ultimate comfort plus personality combination.
