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.

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.