Updated for 2025
Secret Santa is a fun way to bring together coworkers and share some festive cheer in the workplace. But how do you make sure the Secret Santa tradition remains both exciting and office-friendly? Drawing on expert advice and recent trends, we’ve compiled actionable tips and creative Secret Santa ideas to make your holiday exchange unforgettable!
7 of the best Tips for Making Secret Santa Fun
1. Host a themed Secret Santa:
Instead of the usual generic gifts like a mug or pair of socks, propose themes. Maybe it’s “Local Love” where gifts have to be locally made or sourced. Or how about an “Eco-friendly Exchange” focusing on sustainable gifts?
Fun fact: A study condcted by Instant Print revealed that 77% of office workers in the UK are considering giving eco-friendly gifts! This reflects a growing trend toward sustainability in holiday traditions.
Here are some other creative Secret Santa ideas for themes:
- Culinary Creations – Gifts that cater to the taste buds, such as exotic spices, gourmet chocolates, or unique cooking ingredients. Participants could also share a personal recipe along with the ingredients. Ensure dietary preferences are taken into account here!
- Movie Night – Gifts centred around a cosy movie night at home. Think of DVDs, popcorn, cosy blankets, or streaming service subscriptions.
- Wellness and Self-Care – Gifts that promote relaxation and well-being, like scented candles, bath salts, yoga mats, or herbal teas.
- Book Exchange – A book that the giver has enjoyed or a bestselling novel. It could also include accessories like bookmarks or booklights. How about “The Graduate Book” by our founder Chris Davies
A unique idea: create a secret santa theme related to your company’s mission, values or your team’s function!
2. DIY Delight:
Encourage handmade gifts. Whether it’s a knitted scarf, homemade cookies, or a hand-painted mug, the effort will surely be appreciated.
3. Digital Twist:
In this digital age, why not embrace e-gifts? Spotify playlists, e-books, or online courses can be thoughtful and easy to ‘deliver’.
4. The Reveal Game:
Turn the reveal into a game. Each participant drops a hint about their identity, and the receiver has to guess their Santa.
5. Combo with Charitable Acts:
Incorporate a charitable angle. Instead of gifts, donations could be made to a charity of the receiver’s choice, or participants can gift items that give back, like products from charitable organisations.
- Action for Children – Be a Secret Santa – you could make a donation on behalf of your Secret Santa
- Barnardos – Purchase an item from their Charity Secret Santa Gifts
Etiquette Tips for Office Secret Santa
1. Stick to the Budget:
Nothing is more uncomfortable than vastly differing gift values. If the limit is set at £15, aim to spend around that amount.
Love2shop revealed that the average spend on Secret Santa gifts is £14, but younger employees (aged 18–24) tend to spend more, averaging £35 per gift.
Diane Gottsman, a National Etiquette Expert emphasises the importance of setting a modest budget for office gift exchanges to ensure inclusivity and prevent financial strain on employees
2. Be Thoughtful:
While you might adore a quirky, off-the-wall item, think about whether the recipient would appreciate it. When in doubt, opt for something more universally appealing.
3. Avoid Too Personal Gifts:
Lingerie, personal hygiene products, or anything too intimate should be a no-go. Stick to gifts suitable for a professional setting.
4. Respect Cultural and Dietary Differences:
Avoid gifting food unless you’re sure about dietary restrictions. Similarly, be sensitive to cultural norms and preferences.
5. Keep It Secret:
The beauty of Secret Santa is in the mystery. Avoid spoiling the fun by revealing your assigned person.
6. Participate Wholeheartedly:
If you’ve signed up, ensure you deliver. It’s disheartening for someone to be left out because their Santa didn’t follow through. Worse still, a gift that no thought has been put into is obvious to the recipient!
A gift guide by The Sun reporter Roisin Chapman reveals that unwanted gifts cost Brits £1.5 billion annually! Bubble bath, socks, and novelty items are among the most disliked gifts.
7. Always Include a Note:
A small handwritten note can add a personal touch to your gift, even if it doesn’t reveal your identity.
Tips for setting up your Secret Santa
Use a Secret Santa Generator
The Secret Santa generator by drawing names allows you to organise your Secret Santa within minutes.
Here’s how:
Form a Group:
Input participant names and customise with a group name, budget, and celebration date. Modifications like adding or removing participants are permissible even after confirmation.
Dispatch Invitations:
Post-creation, share the invitations through various platforms such as email, text, WhatsApp, or other messengers.
Execute the Online Draw:
Post-invitation, commence the live drawing of names from a virtual hat on the website or allow participants to draw names individually for the gift exchange.
Send Follow-up to remind everyone to participate in the Secret Santa exchange:
Send reminders as the gift exchange date approaches to ensure everyone is prepared.
Confirm the participation of all members a few days before the exchange.
Arrange a festive Celebration for the Secret Santa exchange
Make the gift exchange event special with some additional festive elements, like decorations or snacks.
Encourage everyone to express their gratitude and appreciation for their gifts during the exchange.
Secret Santa Gift Ideas
Boots has a page dedicated to Secret Santa gifts such as miniature toiletries, gift sets, fragrances, make-up kits and more. Likewise, Firebox has a curated list of Secret Santa ideas.
For chocoholics – Lindtt has the perfect selection of Secret Santa gifts for Chocoholics.
For those who love to be cosy – Next offers cosy socks, scented candles and bath salts great cosy Secret Santa gifts perfect for the winter months.
In addition to the branded gift options mentioned above, Custom Pins are also a great value and memorable Christmas gift option.
Custom pins can be designed to suit your personal preferences, incorporate team or company characteristics, and add a Christmas theme, such as a stocking or Santa Claus. Furthermore, pins can be produced quickly.
Custom pins offer a personalised touch, making the recipient feel valued and creating a lasting holiday keepsake among colleagues.
Unsure of what gift to get? Consider a Secret Santa experience instead of a tangible gift.
Conclusion
Secret Santa is more than just an exchange of gifts – it’s a heartwarming tradition that brings people together, sprinkling a dash of mystery, joy, and thoughtfulness into the festive season.
By adding creative themes, encouraging handmade gifts, and embracing the digital era, we can infuse new life and excitement into this cherished tradition. Etiquette is equally essential; respecting budgets, cultural sensitivities, and maintaining the element of surprise is paramount to ensuring everyone feels valued and respected.
Utilising tools like Secret Santa generators simplifies the organisation process, ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The wealth of online resources, such as those offered by Boots and Firebox, provides a plethora of gift ideas to suit all tastes and preferences, making the act of gift-giving as delightful as receiving.
In conclusion, the success of a Secret Santa exchange lies in meticulous planning, a sprinkle of creativity, and a generous dose of thoughtfulness and consideration for each participant’s tastes and preferences.
So go ahead, embrace the spirit of giving, celebrate the joy of togetherness, and make your Secret Santa exchange a memorable highlight of the festive season!
Bored of the traditional Secret Santa? Check out our list of Secret Santa alternatives!
Featured image by RDNE Stock project from Pexels
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