I have a theory that Secret Santa was invented not as a heartwarming gesture of seasonal generosity, but as a chaotic social experiment designed to test the outer limits of passive aggression at the most festive of the time of year.
There is no gift quite so laden with subtext as the one you feel obliged to buy for a colleague whose name you randomly drew from a hat (or, more likely, an Excel spreadsheet), capped at a painfully uninspiring £10 budget.
Will you go novelty mug or novelty socks? Scented candle or desk cactus? Attempt something genuinely thoughtful and risk being branded “the person who tried too hard”? The stakes are oddly high, given how low the expectations are.
And then there are the friends. Supposedly easier, though in my experience, just as politically charged. Do you buy something ironic and hope they see the joke? Something useful, and risk looking boring? Something luxe, and invite a crisis about the imbalance of your respective disposable incomes?
Of course, when done well — and we’ll get to that — Secret Santa can be genuinely charming: a small, sincere gesture that says “I thought about you, but not too much.” The sweet spot is somewhere between thoughtful and irreverent, with a dash of aesthetic credibility and zero potential for HR intervention.
So, whether you’re buying for your desk neighbour who’s made coffee their whole personality, or the friend who already owns everything and yet somehow still deserves more — here’s your cheat sheet for gifts that are inexpensive, inoffensive, and just offbeat enough to be memorable.
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Under £20
San Pietro Black truffle butter 300g
Everyone knows someone who’s obsessed with truffles – whether it’s on pizza, pasta or garlic bread. Allow the truffle-lover in your life to indulge all Christmas long with this luxurious black truffle butter from San Pietro, which is perfect for slathering on bruschetta, spaghetti, or cooking vegetables with.
Buy now £19.99, Selfridges
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne, 9ml
A delectable unisex fragrance with year-round wearability, anyone would be delighted to receive a travel-safe Jo Malone mini – especially in Wood Sage & Sea Salt. The ultra-fresh aroma combines the minerality of fresh, broken waves with notes of earthy and grounding sage.
Buy now £18.00, John Lewis
Monchhichi Bearchichi Keyring
Think of Monchhichi as the cuter, vintage cousin of Labubu. Any keychain/bagcharm obsessive would be delighted to receive one this Christmas.
Buy now £12.00, UO
Orelia Statement Ribbon Bow Earrings
So darn cute, and currently on sale too. The sculptural statement earrings are plated in 18K gold.
Buy now £16.00, Orelia
Under £15
Beaded Phone Ropes
Available in cobalt, blue, black and orange, these stylish beads actually serve as a functional phone charm - perfect for the person in your life who either loses their phone often, or simply needs it close by at all times.
Buy now £18.00, Not Another Bill
Barbera Sicilia Xtra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml
With the price of olive oil as it is, who wouldn’t appreciate a tin of luxury EVOO? It may be a cooking staple, but this Sicilian-made product is anything but basic thanks to the colourful, patterned packaging that will make it the star of the kitchen countertop.
Buy now £15.00, Waitrose
Splatter Portuguese Stoneware Mug
Whether the recipient you have in mind already has a booming mug collection or is yet to have their very own, very special office mug, this Portuguese splatter stoneware option from Anthropologie is sure to delight. It’s available in brown, green, lilac, red and pink.
Buy now £16.00, Anthropologie
Whittard Cookies & Cream Hot Chocolate, 350g
Know someone with a sweet tooth? This luxurious and indulgent Whittard’s hot chocolate is imbued with a delectable cookies and cream flavour.
Buy now £11.95, John Lewis
Beevive Original Bee Revival Kit Keyring with Bee Identification Tag
The knowledge that bee numbers are in trouble is fairly widespread, but the existence of this insect reviving kit is not.
Made to rescue weak, flailing bees, the vial unscrews to pour out a syrup to boost their energy levels.
The transparent vial comes with markers allowing you to whip up more of the reviving formula once you’ve finished administering the included amount.
Buy now £10.99, John Lewis
Under £10
Revolution Skin Ice Globes
Revive tired eyes after one too many festive parties with these glitter-filled crystal globes from Revolution. They're designed to go in the freezer, so they're perfectly chilled the next time a hangover strikes.
Buy now £9.60, Lookfantastic
Grind Coffee
London-based Grind has built a cult following with its pink tins and eco-friendly ethos, offering compostable pods and refill packs alongside beans. Their signature house blend, available pre-ground or whole, combines South American Arabica beans to create a profile that is smooth, rich and approachable. Expect hints of chocolate, almond and a gentle fruitiness, making it adaptable to most brew methods.
Buy now £9.95, Grind
Fish Green Glass Candlestick Holder
Up your home décor game tenfold with these sweet, fish-shaped glass candlestick holders from Oliver Bonas. Sold separately.
Buy now £7.50, Oliver Bonas
Tracklements 9 Mini Jar Gift Pack
They say good things come in small packages, and that’s proved right by Tracklements’ mini jar gift pack. The set of nine 25g jars includes the brand’s best and most brilliant relishes, preserves and spreads to give bland meals and snacks a leg up. Buy for the condiment fiend in your family or break up the pack and distribute into different stockings to spread the love.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Under £5
Perelló Spanish Gordal Pitted Green Olives, 350g
Like your olives on the spicier side? Feel like you’re sunning yourself on the Med with a handy can of the iconic - because at this point, is there any other descriptor? - Perello olives. These queen-sized Spanish beauties are giant, juicy and pitted sparing teeth from chomping down on a wayward stone. Chunks of guindilla green peppers make these truly addictive; why not forward plan and get a multipack instead?
Buy now £3.50, Sainsburys
Rex London Cerveza Española Metal Coasters
Filled to the brim with vintage charm, these metal coasters feature an old-school Spanish beer design. They’re each complete with a soft cork back to prevent slipping and scratching, and come housed in a handy tin.
Buy now £4.95, Amazon
Perpetual Calendar Keychain
Technically a keychain but unusual enough to live on full display on your bag’s zip or handle, this design frees you from buying another calendar for 50 years. Simply adjust the month to the year, and voila - all your dates until 2060 will be listed in the rear window below.
Buy now £4.80, Amazon
Tajin Keyring
Simply can’t bear the idea of bland food? Why should you, when you can add a Tajin charm to your lunch bag and enjoy chilli and lime flavours whenever the occasion calls? This one is refillable, so you can always have a stash of tasty seasoning when you need it.
Buy now £2.00, Mex Grocer
