You might spend most of your time with your coworkers, but when it’s time to do the dreaded annual Secret Santa, you’re always stuck trying to find something they would like within a strict budget. It might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it has driven people to madness before and shall do again, particularly if you’re the kind of person to get wound up over workplace politics.
It’s even more difficult when you don’t really know the person you pick out of the pot. Could you accidentally offend them? Get them something they objectively hate? Or even something they already have a thousand of? It’s a bit of a quandary, all things considered, and that’s why we’ve compiled some foolproof Secret Santa gift ideas to help you prepare for whoever you get this year.
Printed socks
Can you go wrong with socks? Not really. Everyone loves a great pair of socks and you’re bound to find a print that suits the person you’ve picked for Secret Santa. Ask around the office what your pick is into and there’s bound to be a print that matches their hobbies, whether that’s dogs, the latest pop culture craze or something completely banal. There really are that many socks!
Candles
Everyone loves a nice smelling candle and you can even pick a smell that is Christmas themed too. Or better yet why not discover the scent that your co-worker adores above all others and buy a candle infused with just that scent? Or find a scent they hate and get that instead for a laugh.
2022 diary
If you pick someone who is incredibly organised then a diary for the coming year could be a neat idea for a Secret Santa gift. It could be argued that physical diaries are a little outdated in the age of smartphones but for some people, there is no comparison to the real thing.
Board and card games
A few years ago, the idea of buying any kind of tabletop game for a co-worker as a surprise Christmas gift might have seemed oddly antiquated. However, board games and card games are officially “back in” now thanks to the success of games like Cards Against Humanity and Settlers of Catan. You can find also find cheap ones that are trivia based if your pick is really into their pub quizzes. Or there’s always the drinking games. Speaking of which…
Booze
If all else fails, then there’s always booze. Ask around (or ask them directly if you’re feeling dangerous) and buy them a nice pack of their favourite craft beers or a bottle of their favourite gin. It’s not the most exciting gift in the world but it will at least be appreciated. And hey, if they don’t drink then there’s always chocolates!
