Secret Santa Gifts for Colleagues: 20 Ideas That Won't End Up in a Drawer

At the office Secret Santa, you often draw a name and your mind goes blank. The budget is small, you may only know the person from the corridor, and it shouldn't be awkward either. The good news: a good Secret Santa gift doesn't have to be personal. It should surprise, bring a smile and can be small. Here are 20 ideas that work for almost everyone.

What makes a good Secret Santa gift

• It suits (almost) anyone. Neutral enough for people you barely know, but not generic.
• It gets used. Something to play with, enjoy or put on display rather than clutter.
• It's small. It should fit in a coat pocket and make it home.
• It sticks to the budget. Most groups agree on an amount, often around €10. Going well over it puts others in an awkward spot.

For the desk: puzzles and kits

Small wooden games and kits make great Secret Santa gifts: they get tried out right away, spark conversation at the table and then stay on the desk. Ours each come in a matchbox and are made in Germany from local wood.

1. Matchic Sticks – 40 wooden pieces and instructions. Great for anyone who likes to tinker over lunch.
2. Cube Problem – 17 pieces, one cube. Sounds easy, isn't.
3. The 3rd Point – 25 pieces and a tricky challenge to try right at the Christmas party table.
4. Tangram – seven pieces, countless shapes. The classic among tiling puzzles.
5. A landmark from your company's city – such as the Merchants' Bridge in Erfurt, the Reichstag or the Frauenkirche in Munich. A little piece of home for the desk. See all designs under Landmarks as wooden kits.
6. Christmas tree – a mini tree to put together that brings the office Christmas decoration with it.

More games in the same format: our miniature wooden games. All small gifts at a glance: Secret Santa gifts under €10.

To enjoy

7. Good coffee beans from a small roastery – the office coffee machine will thank you.
8. A special tea, perhaps with a small tea strainer.
9. Mulled wine spices in a jar, mixed yourself or from the market.
10. Good chocolate from a chocolatier instead of a supermarket Santa.
11. A seasoned salt or chilli oil for anyone who likes to cook.

Practical and pretty

12. A small notebook with a nice cover.
13. A hand warmer for the commute.
14. A lip balm or hand cream – always welcome in winter.
15. A herb growing kit for the office windowsill.
16. Cosy socks with a winter pattern – surprisingly often a hit.

For puzzle and game fans

17. A puzzle book with sudoku or crosswords for the train.
18. A small card game that fits in any bag.
19. A deck of conversation cards for the next team meeting.
20. A quiz book of general knowledge that's bound to end up in the office kitchen.

Secret Santa, Yankee Swap and White Elephant: a quick guide

• Classic Secret Santa: Everyone draws a name in advance and buys a gift for that person. Who drew whom stays secret.
• Gift raffle: Everyone brings a gift, the gifts are mixed and drawn by lot.
• Dice game: The gifts lie in the middle, everyone takes turns rolling a die, and a six lets you take or swap a gift. Ideal for small games, as they change hands several times.
• White Elephant: People give away something they want to get rid of. Fun, but not right for every group.

Easy, pretty wrapping

Small gifts look best with simple wrapping: brown paper, string and a fir sprig or a cinnamon stick are enough. Our matchboxes come ready-wrapped and can go straight into the gift sack. If you like, write a small note on the box, such as "Open after the presentation".

A gift for the whole team

Instead of Secret Santa, a small gift for everyone? A landmark from your city or a puzzle game for each person makes a team gift that doesn't look like promotional merchandise. For larger quantities, use our contact form to tell us which designs and how many you need.

Looking for a small thank-you or farewell gift outside the Christmas season? You will find ideas for the whole year under Small thank-you & farewell gifts.

Frequently asked questions

What do you give at Secret Santa if you barely know the person?

Something almost everyone likes and can use: a small puzzle game, good coffee beans, tea or a mini decoration for the desk. Avoid perfume, clothing sizes and in-jokes not everyone gets.

How much do you spend on a Secret Santa gift?

As much as the group agreed. Often it's around €10. If nothing was agreed, it's worth asking so nobody arrives empty-handed or over the top.

What's a good Secret Santa gift for men?

Something to try out: a wooden puzzle game, a kit of a favourite landmark, good coffee beans or a spicy seasoned salt.

What's a good Secret Santa gift for women?

It depends less on gender than on the person. Things to enjoy such as tea or chocolate, a small decoration or a game for the break all work well.