Secret Santa Gift Ideas Under $25 (That People Actually Use)

Updated October 2026 · By Sophia · How we picked: every gift is a widely available, well-reviewed product or a simple idea you can find at most big retailers, usually for $25 or less. Prices move around in the holiday season, so check before you buy. No affiliate links.

Secret Santa has a special kind of pressure. You’ve drawn a name, you have a $25 limit, and you’re not totally sure whether Dave from accounts likes coffee or hates it.

Good news: you don’t need to know someone well to get it right. You just need a gift that’s useful, a little bit nice, and easy to love. Here are my favorites, grouped by the kind of person you drew.

Quick picks: Secret Santa gifts under $25

Gift	Best for	Typical price
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask	Anyone, really	About $24
Loop Quiet earplugs	Light sleepers, open-office workers	About $25
TRUFF Original hot sauce	Foodies	About $18
Exploding Kittens card game	Game-night people	About $20
Bombas socks (single pair)	Practical people	From about $13
Rechargeable neck reading light	Readers	Usually under $25

For the coworker you barely know

Go for something everyone uses and nobody buys for themselves.

• LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (about $24). A cult-favorite overnight lip balm in a cute little pot. Gender-neutral flavors like Original or Vanilla are the safest bets.
• A really good insulated mug or tumbler ($15–$25). A leak-proof travel mug from a known brand like Contigo is the kind of thing people use daily for years.
• Premium chocolate or a cocoa kit ($10–$20). Hard to get wrong. Just check for allergies or dietary needs if you can do it discreetly.

For the foodie

• TRUFF Original Black Truffle Hot Sauce (about $18 for 6 oz). It looks fancy, tastes great on eggs and pizza, and feels like a splurge.
• Flaky sea salt plus a small bottle of good olive oil ($15–$25). A tiny “finishing kit” for someone who loves to cook.
• A bag of beans from a local roaster ($15–$20). More thoughtful than a chain gift card, and it supports a small business.

For the one who’s always tired (or in an open office)

• Loop Quiet earplugs (about $25). Soft, reusable earplugs that look like jewelry, not foam. Loop lists them at $24.95 on its US site. (Loop)
• A contoured sleep mask ($10–$20). The kind with eye cups that don’t press on your eyelids.
• A small, nice-smelling candle ($10–$20). Look for sales. Popular candle brands run big promotions in November and December.

For the game-night person

• Exploding Kittens (about $20). A fast, silly card game for two to five players, ages 7 and up, with roughly 15-minute rounds. It works at office parties and family gatherings alike.
• A 500-piece jigsaw puzzle ($15–$20). Pick a design that matches their taste: art, maps, food or something funny.
• A pocket-size card game ($10–$15). Small enough to bring on trips, and the box makes a fun reveal.

For the practical one who “doesn’t need anything”

• Bombas socks (from about $13 a pair). Comfortable, long-lasting, and for every pair sold the company donates a pair to people experiencing homelessness. A two-pair bundle can fit in a $25 budget if you catch a sale.
• A compact USB-C power bank ($15–$25). A slim 5,000 to 10,000mAh battery from a known brand like Anker saves the day at least once a month.
• A cable organizer and phone stand bundle ($15–$20). Boring? Maybe. Used every single day? Absolutely.

For the bookworm or homebody

• A rechargeable neck reading light (usually under $25). It hangs around the neck and lights the page without waking a partner.
• A paperback plus a nice bookmark ($15–$25). Pick a recent bestseller in a genre they’ve mentioned, and tuck a note inside the cover.
• Fuzzy socks and a hot cocoa packet ($15–$20). A “cozy night in” bundle, wrapped together.

How to make a $20 gift feel like $50

1. Bundle a theme. Hot sauce plus taco seasoning is a “taco night kit.” A mug plus coffee is a “morning kit.” Two small items with a theme feel more personal than one bigger generic one.
2. Wrap it properly. Brown kraft paper, twine and a sprig of rosemary costs almost nothing and looks lovely.
3. Write a two-line note. “Saw this and thought of your 3 p.m. coffee runs. Happy holidays!” That’s it.
4. Include a gift receipt. It quietly says “no pressure.”

Secret Santa gifts to skip

• Gag gifts at work. Funny for 30 seconds, awkward for the rest of the year, and they usually end up in the trash.
• Scented body products for someone you don’t know well. Scent is personal. A neutral lip balm is safer than perfume or strong lotion.
• Alcohol at a workplace exchange, unless you know the group and the rules.
• Clothing in a size you’re guessing. Socks, scarves and beanies are the exceptions.

Before you buy, run the price through a quick check. Some “holiday deals” are just regular prices with a red tag. Our Black Friday deal checklist takes about two minutes. And if you’re shopping for someone closer to home, try our unique Christmas gifts for a new mom or browse all our gift guides.

Secret Santa FAQs

What’s a good Secret Santa budget?

$20 to $25 is the most common range for US office and friend-group exchanges. It’s enough for something genuinely nice without stressing anyone’s wallet. Whatever the limit is, agree on it upfront and stick to it. Going way over can make others feel awkward.

What do you get someone you don’t know for Secret Santa?

Choose an everyday upgrade: a quality lip balm, good socks, a nice mug, chocolates or a fun card game. These are useful, broadly loved and low-risk. Avoid anything personal like perfume or clothing sizes.

Is a gift card OK for Secret Santa?

Yes, especially for someone you don’t know well, but it can feel impersonal. Make it thoughtful by choosing a specific local café or bookstore, and pair it with a small treat or a handwritten note.

Should Secret Santa include tax and shipping in the budget?

Usually the budget refers to the item price before tax, but groups vary. If in doubt, aim a couple of dollars under the limit so tax and shipping don’t push you over.

Whoever you drew, a small, useful gift and a kind note will always land. Happy gifting! — Sophia