Picking out a Secret Santa gift is often pretty simple, but when they give you nothing to work with? Well, it's purely a guessing game. And while you can always wrap up a generic Christmas gift
and call it a win, you're better off shopping straight from this list of the best Secret Santa gift ideas.
There's one condition, though: If they gave you a wishlist, then I'd rather you buy them what they actually want. But if you've been left in the dark, then these Secret Santa gifts are solid contenders. There are good-smelling shower steamers that are a perennial Yahoo reader favorite, a lucky Lego set, and Kate Spade studs that'll sparkle and
delight. That's just scratching the surface — I've also included lots of Christmas gifts for men
and Christmas presents for women
at great prices (everything's under $50!) that'll arrive just in time for your festivities.
In this story
How to play Secret Santa
Participants write their names down on a piece of paper and place them in a hat. Or, if you're going digital, consider using a Secret Santa generator like Elfster . One by one, participants draw a name to find out who they'll be shopping for. All players buy a gift for the person they picked, trying their best to keep their identity a secret. During the gift exchange, participants guess who their Secret Santa is.
Best Secret Santa gifts overall
People love shower steamers. I'm not kidding, we've sold thousands of 'em in Yahoo gift guides over the last few years. They're basically TLC in tab form — just drop one in the corner of the shower, then breathe in the good-for-the-soul aromas as it slowly melts. Each scent targets a specific need: Lavender and Chamomile bring relaxation, Citrus Grove is a mood booster, Eucalyptus Mint is a welcome wake-up, and so on.
Amazon
Candle warmers are one of the most novel inventions in the last decade or so. Place any candle underneath this little lamp, then crank on the light, set a timer (anywhere from two to 10 hours) and breathe in the aroma as the wax slowly melts. No flames, soot or smoke whatsoever!
"The candle smells just as good as when you light it and lasts even longer," one fired-up Amazon fan wrote . "I have used candles I thought were done and they smell brand-new under the light."
Chances are, they already know and love Taco Goat Cheese Pizza , so why don't you add this Christmas-ified version to their game night rotation? The rules are more or less the same, but players (ages 8 and up) lean into the spirit of the season by saying "Santa," "Cookie," "Elf," "Candy" and "Snowman" instead. The rounds move fast (typically 10-15 minutes each), so they can get a number of plays in before they call it a night.
Chinese tradition says lucky bamboo plants are, well, lucky. While two stalks typically symbolize luck in love, three are associated with longevity, wealth and happiness. This 325-piece Lego set will bring a lifetime of luck to whoever assembles it — no water or sunshine needed.
Uncommon Goods
Take their tastebuds on a trip around the world, one chocolate at a time. Eight countries are represented in this box — there's a pistachio-packed milk chocolate bar from Italy, chocolate-coconut corn puff snacks from South Korea and more sweet surprises from destinations across the globe.
Best Secret Santa gifts for women
Kate Spade Outlet
Sparkly earrings dress up even the most basic outfit. These dazzlers from Kate Spade (available in silver or gold) are the perfect finishing touch — yep, even if it's a messy bun and leggings kind of day.
If you pulled someone you barely know, this Laneige set is your Secret Santa safety net. This adorable kit serves up five travel-friendly versions of the cult-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask — silky, ultra-hydrating and perfect for winter-chapped lips. The lineup includes both bestselling and limited edition holiday scents, from vanilla and sweet candy to chocolate and eggnog latte.
Amazon
Let me introduce you to a bag that'll actually hold all of her makeup and skin care must-haves when she travels. This No. 1 bestseller lays flat when unzipped, allowing her to see everything at a glance. It also features interior cinch pockets to keep products secure and built-in makeup brush storage. "It’s even better quality than I expected for the price," one five-star Amazon fan gushed. "The outside material wipes clean and dries right off without staining."
Give the bag on its own or fill it with some affordable makeup buys if you're working with a bigger budget.
Hydro Flask
After testing over 100 water bottles , we rated Hydro Flask's Standard Flex Cap our top overall pick for its resilience, leak-resistance and top-notch temperature control. Help her stay hydrated with this mini version that fits perfectly in small purses.
"It holds about 7 [ounces] which is just enough for a couple good gulps of water on a walk," one recent Amazon convert wrote . "It's light enough that I don't get tired of carrying it."
Homesick
Ask any Gilmore Girls fan, and they'll tell you that Luke's Diner is basically a main character in the show. She can light this candle and make her house smell just like the Stars Hollow institution — I'm talking freshly brewed coffee, syrupy-sweet pancakes and plenty of small-town charm. It has a 60 to 80-hour burn time, which, ya know, will carry her through the first few seasons she's re-watching.
Best Secret Santa gifts for men
He's got his Wordle strategy on lock, so why don't you see if he's up for a new challenge? These aren't your average crosswords; nope, this book is full of 40-plus escape room-style puzzles that'll have him cracking cryptic codes and tackling tough brain-benders.
"They make you think," one escape-room enthusiast wrote on Amazon . "I had to come back to one the next day because I was racking my brain. Not so obscure, but hard enough to be a challenge."
Ah, batteries — he's got a drawer full of 'em, so you might as well help him make sense of his stash. This storage case can hold 150 batteries in total, but the built-in battery tester will encourage him to only keep the ones that are in full working order.
"Now I can actually prove the batteries are dead instead of just yelling 'try another one.' Organization, domination and a weird sense of adult joy — 10/10 would recommend," one charged-up Amazon customer chimed. (Psst, I'm also a huge fan, which is why I recently included it in our Best Gift Ever Awards .)
Amazon
He takes snacking seriously — so much so that he’ll put this double-layered bowl to good use. Here’s how it works: Put olives, pistachios, wrapped candy or something else with a removable outer layer in the main bowl, then drop the scraps in the hidden compartment underneath.
Uncommon Goods
He can't always retreat to the mountains, but he can pour himself a pint and think about the trails that shaped him. Choose from the 15 most-visited parks — go with a tumbler that represents his most recent adventure or opt for a park that's high on his bucket list so he can keep his eye on the prize.
Mark & Graham
His skills aren't exactly PGA-worthy, but I'd say that style counts for something on the green. Speaking of style, go ahead and personalize a pack of 50 tees with his monogram on the top or a custom message (up to 16 characters) on the side. Dress for the job you want, right?
