24 Awesome Secret Santa Gift Basket Ideas

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The holidays are quickly approaching, and if you’re hosting a Secret Santa exchange at work or in your family, you may be stuck on what to buy everyone in the group.

However, just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you have to spend much money on gifts. But how can you find awesome Christmas gift ideas that will delight the recipient and not break the bank?

This post will share 24 unique secret Santa gift basket ideas. These gift ideas will help you find something perfect, no matter your budget. There are gifts to suit every budget, and they’re all fun and creative enough to give even the most jaded coworker or family member something special this year.

From affordable gifts under $10 to ultra-fancy spa baskets that run into the hundreds, these gift basket ideas have it all. Most of these gifts can be put together in less than a day, so you don’t have to stress about finding something too last-minute.

Remember to keep your intended recipient’s personality and interests when choosing.

What Is A Secret Santa Gift Exchange?

A Secret Santa Gift Exchange is a holiday tradition among friends and co-workers. You draw a name, purchase a gift and anonymously give it to the person you drew.

The perfect Secret Santa gift can be found at any budget level. The However, thet way to get started with your Secret Santa list is by setting a price limit or choosing gifts from different prices.

Whether you want to spend more money on one special gift or spread it out over several smaller items, here are 24 awesome Secret Santa gift basket ideas.

1. Christmas Themed Cookie Cutters

These cookie cutters are a holiday must-have. Whether you need a last-minute gift or are looking to get ahead on your cookie baking for the season, these cutters make the perfect gift for any baker.

If you want to go the extra mile and add something more personal, like some of their favorite sweet treats and one of our own personalized Christmas gift baskets, this is the way to do it.

Check out these adorable cookie cutters:

2. Gift Cards to Popular Retail Stores

Why not let someone else decide what to buy?

With so many different stores out there, finding the perfect present for someone can be challenging. SomeSo somemendous secret Santa gift idea is to give them a gift card from one of their favorite places – Amazon, Applebee’s, Target, Whole Foods, or Costco – there’s sure to be something they’ll love at whatever store you pick.

They’ll appreciate knowing that you put thought into their gift, but also appreciate getting to choose what they spend it on. Alternatively, you could also buy them an iTunes gift card with a specific holiday playlist they might enjoy and use this as an opportunity to have some fun by getting them a few random gifts from the thrift store – anything goes during secret Santa.

Here are our favorite gift cards to give:

3. A To-Do List Notepad

One thing we all have too much of is tasks we need to complete. What’s better than a white elephant gift exchange when you don’t know the person?

Put a smile on their face with this funny little to-do list pad. It’s the best last-minute secret Santa gift under $25 and always makes people laugh.

For those who are constantly forgetting things, the best part about this gift is that it reminds us of everything we still have left to do. There’s no better feeling than crossing items off the list as we check them off. Get creative with this present by including a few fun gifts, like tickets to a movie night or a festival pass that gives access to various festivals throughout the year.

Check out these fun notepads:

4. Ugly Christmas Sweaters

We couldn’t think of a better time to wear an ugly sweater than during the holiday – if you know someone who has been dreading the holidays because they don’t have anything appropriate to wear, surprise them with this delightful gift!

Ugly sweaters come in various styles, shapes, and colors, making it easy to find the perfect one for anyone. And while most sweaters are designed with adults in mind, plenty is explicitly designed for children.

This is an excellent gift for kids aged six to ten who enjoy the silly side of things – and can be given either as a solo present or included inside one of our fantastic children’s Christmas gift baskets.

Check out these fun Christmas sweaters:

5. All Natural Lip Balm

For those friends and family members who love all-natural products, this lip balm makes a perfect secret Santa gift. The natural lip balm comes in six delicious flavors, strawberry cream, and cherry vanilla, making your lips feel soft and smooth all winter.

They’re also perfect for filling out any last-minute gift exchanges like the White Elephant, Secret Santa, or Pollyanna Gift Exchange. These make ideal stocking stuffers for your loved ones. You Of course, yould also include this gift in any of our three best secret Santa gifts (under $5).

Check out some of our faves:

6. Christmas Tree Ornaments

christmas tree ornament with cat under a tree

A perfect present for grandparents, parents, or anyone else on your list, these ornaments provide a fun way to help decorate the tree each year. You’ll find everything from traditional snowflakes to modern decorations with cool designs.

The best part about these gifts is that they’re reusable year after year. As a result, they become more meaningful as the recipient grows older and spends more Christmases with their loved ones.

Check out some of the best ones available:

7. Personalized Gift Wrap

There’s nothing better than receiving a beautifully wrapped gift you will need immediately, so why not offer that same experience to the people we love?

Most websites offer free shipping within the continental United States, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much on shipping costs.

8. Delicious Smelling Bath Salts

Like personalizing any other kind of gift, it can be done with bath salts. If you know someone who has been through some tough times lately, this may be just what they need to relax. And if the person receiving this gift happens to be a spa lover, it will make an even more significant impact.

Most websites offer several different types of fragrances to suit any preference. Peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus oils are scents for buying bath salts. But of course, these are great stocking stuffers as well!

Here are some of our faves:

9. Adorable Coffee Mugs

It doesn’t take much to brighten somebody’s day – all it takes is a thoughtful gesture. That’s why coffee mugs make such an excellent secret Santa gift idea. They come in various shapes and sizes and contain the caffeine fix our favorite people crave during the holiday season.

Fun phrases like You Rock, Best Mom Ever, and Boss Lady are just a few options that can be found when browsing online stores. So if you’re struggling to find a last-minute gift for one of your friends, family members, or coworkers, now might be the time to purchase one of these fantastic coffee mugs.

Check out these adorable coffee mugs:

10. Adult Coloring Books

For a bit of entertainment and creativity, these books are perfect. Some titles include Animals, Art for Kids, and Abstract for Adults.

This is the perfect gift for a stressed-out college student or mom that needs to de-stress. They’ll thank you for the opportunity to escape for a little while and put on a show for the whole family.

These coloring books are some of the best:

11. Hot Chocolate Mason Jars

This hot chocolate is perfect for the chilly winter months, like a warm hug in a jar – This would make an excellent gift for anybody on your list, especially if they enjoy baking or cooking.

This gift would make a perfect addition to any movie night or office party; they’re the perfidealice for kids in your life. A Pollyanna gift like this is the best Christmas gift for people who like to keep things simple and sweet.

Here are some cute jars to help:

12. Jute Bags

Whether you’re looking for last-minute gifts or want something unique they can use after the holidays, these bags from any eCommerce or physical store near you will work well for both purposes.

They come in various colors, so even if you have yet to decide what color they’d prefer, there’s bound to be one that suits their style. And at $6-$12 per bag (depending on size), they won’t break the bank.

Check out these cute bags:

13. Cute Ice Cube Makers

These are the perfect secret Santa gifts if you know someone who likes to entertain during the holiday season. You’ll be able to pick up an ice maker anywhere from around $5-$15, depending on its features.

It might not sound like much, but with how many cocktails we go through at parties and how often we use ice cubes throughout the day, it’s worth considering as a last-minute purchase. For those on your list with a white elephant gift exchange, consider gifting them this for their Christmas basket to give out as a present.

These 2 are perfect:

14. Movie-Night Gift Basket

Do they love Netflix as much as they love going out?

Another holiday budget-friendly gift idea is a movie night gift basket, which includes popcorn, cozy socks, hot cocoa mix, and DVDs (if they still use them) to watch on the couch.

Here are some great ideas:

15. A Hand Sanitizer Holder

It’s hard to find the perfect holiday present for someone with everything. But if they’re always misplacing theirs or forgetting it at home, this is an easy last-minute gift that won’t break the bank.

Simply pick up a hand sanitizer dispenser from any drugstore, and put it in an attractive container with some candy canes, cotton balls, and hand lotion – voila. You have a unique yet inexpensive holiday gift.

If you’re looking for that last-minute gift, this is it. Get a jar or container from a craft store, put in some hand sanitizer refills, and voila. Put an inspirational message like Live Your Best Life, and you’ve got yourself one thoughtful present that doesn’t break the bank.

Check out these adorable hand sanitizer holders:

16. A Trendy Wine Glass

If your Secret Santa recipient loves wine as much as we do, these cute wine glasses might be the perfect gift. The best part about them is that they’ll never go out of style, so you don’t have to worry about them becoming outdated after next year’s holiday season.

These are some of our favorites:

17. A Festive Pair of Socks

Christmas socks are an easy and fun secret santa gift basket ideas

Socks are an excellent secret Santa gift because anybody can use them at any time of the year. Plus, they don’t cost very much at all. You can find them on Amazon for a few dollars each, or if you prefer shopping locally, most department stores sell socks by the dozen, starting at around three dollars each.

With so many options available, socks make perfect last-minute gifts! If you want something sweet with the socks, consider adding candy cane-themed treats like sugar cookies or peppermint bark. For movie night gift baskets, try adding popcorn and hot cocoa packets (depending on the weather).

These are some of our comfy favorites:

18. Soothing Bubble Bath Mix

What could be better than a warm bubble bath during the winter?

There’s no better way to relax and unwind after spending hours decorating your house for Christmas. After browsing through our list of ideas, head to Target and pick up this scentless mix for less than $4.

Also, if you know someone who has had a challenging year and could use some relaxation, this would be an excellent gift. It comes packaged in a pretty jar with ribbons and bows, so it will also look nice sitting under their tree.

Check out these soothing bubble baths:

19. A Cold Brew Coffee Maker

An iced coffee maker is sure to be the favorite of the secret santa gift basket ideas

We spend enough time drinking coffee daily, so why not enjoy our favorite beverage from home? If your friend or family member enjoys coffee as much as we do, a cold brew coffee maker may be the perfect Christmas present.

These coffee makers can be found at thrift stores for cheap, plus they make brewing coffee more convenient. Your local grocery store should carry models that start around 20 dollars and go up from there, depending on what features you’re looking for. If you don’t feel confident doing the DIY route, there are many other ways to buy a coffee maker.

Here are some of the best ones out there:

20. A Water Bottle

One of the best gifts you can give someone is clean water, so this list would be incomplete without including some reusable water bottles. There’s something about owning a water bottle that makes people take better care of it, which means less plastic waste in our environment.

A nice feature of many newer water bottles is that they keep drinks cold, so while winter isn’t technically here yet, these are still perfect gifts if you live somewhere with mild winters. With all the choices, you’ll find one that suits your budget and style.

Here are some awesome water bottles:

21. Comfy Bath Sets

Comfy bath sets are some of the most coveted secret santa gift basket ideas

Who doesn’t love a hot bath?

These sets have everything you need for the ultimate relaxing experience, from soothing bath salts to soft towels. They make great last-minute gifts because they’re inexpensive but thoughtful enough to please just about anyone.

Here are some of the best ones we’ve found:

22. Yummy Hot Sauce Kits

This gift will be a hit if you know someone who loves to cook spicy food. They can include up to six different sauces and instructions on creating new flavors by adding spices or other ingredients like garlic or honey.

Even if they already have their collection of homemade sauce, they’ll be excited to try these new recipes. And don’t worry; the kits can also come with safety goggles and gloves, so you won’t have to worry about getting spice in your eyes.

Here are some spicy favorites:

23. Essential Oils

Essential oils are a great secret santa gift basket ideas

This is the perfect gift if your Secret Santa recipient loves aromatherapy. Some essential oils kits contain up to 16, each having therapeutic properties.

Some diffusers also double as air purifiers and humidifiers, so this could be one of the most valuable items on this list. Finally, it’s small enough to carry around easily – perfect for when they want to use them on the go!

Check out our favorite scents:

24. A Party Game

Some of the best Christmas memories happen during those family game nights, so what better way to commemorate the season than with a party game?

Games like Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble are classics that never go out of style, so you can choose whichever fits your budget. But if you want to be a little more creative, choose a board game that goes along with the theme of the person you’re shopping for. For example, Downton Abbey fans may appreciate a deck of Downton-themed card games.

Here are some newer games that look like fun:

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re in a crunch and are on the hunt for a last-minute present, or you’re taking your time and trying to find the perfect present for someone special, it’s essential to put thought into it. So if you’re in the mood for a last-minute gift or have months to plan, these are some of the best gifts for this holiday season.