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Glossier, Anthropologie
With the countdown to the holidays officially on, last-minute Secret Santa shopping can feel like one more stressor on your already-full plate. That’s why quick, thoughtful, budget-friendly surprises are more essential than ever — especially in a December filled with office parties and festive obligations.
Ahead, you’ll find timely, under-$25 Secret Santa gifts, each one cozy, cheerful, and guaranteed to land well at any gift exchange this season. Picks like these birth month flower socks to our favorite fruit-scented candle are sure to please.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly presents, we’ve also rounded up the best cheap gift ideas, There you can find affordable options for any holiday gift exchange or White Elephant party.
Maria Yagoda/Business Insider
Bagsmart Dazzling Jewelry Organizer, available at Bagsmart and Amazon
This lightweight, affordable jewelry organizer is perfect if your giftee wears jewelry and travels often. “It comfortably stores and secures a surprising amount of pieces, almost in a Mary Poppins’ bag type of way,” writes freelancer Maria Yagoda. “Beyond just traveling, I would use this case for everyday jewelry storage.”
Amazon
Avocado Rechargeable Hand Warmers, available at Amazon
These avocado-shaped rechargeable hand warmers help your giftee brace for the winter chill with a laugh. Each set includes two magnetic warmers that can be used together or separately, heating up in seconds with three temperature settings.
Despite their cute look, they deliver serious warmth thanks to long-lasting batteries and built-in safety protections. They’re small enough to slip into their pockets, mittens, or handbag.
Glossier
Sugar + Spice Balm Dotcom Duo, available at Glossier and Sephora
This pretty package of nourishing lip balms contains two seasonal flavors from Glossier, Ginger Snap and Peppermint Bark. Just a small dab delivers an invigorating aromatic formula with a light tint and luscious sheen.
Nest Bedding
Easy Breather Mini Pillow, available at Nest Bedding
This itty-bitty pillow is stuffed with shredded foam and creates an ergonomic cushion for desktop items. What started as an April Fool’s joke by Nest Bedding is now a mainstay on the brand’s website — use it as a wrist prop, phone rest, fidget toy, or whatever the day calls for.
Friends NYC
Moka Pot Kitchen Timer, available at Friends NYC
Your giftee can practice the Pomodoro method and stay on task with this adorable kitchen timer. It’s a great novelty gift for coffee lovers and will add some intrigue to their kitchen countertop.
Uncommon Goods
Birth Month Flower socks, available at Uncommon Goods
Many of us are unaware that we even had a birth month flower, let alone do we know what kind of flower that might be. These fun floral socks add a more personal touch to your gift and include a memento about the significance of each flower.
Cheerie Lane
Cheerie Lane Popcorn Flavor Variety 5-pack, available at Cheerie Lane
If your giftee is a certified film buff, they’ll love to snack on this tasty variety pack of heirloom popcorn while they watch a home movie. One handful and they’ll never want to go back to the microwave bag — this gift set contains five flavors including butter, rosemary garlic, ranch, sea salt, and jalapeño.
Amazon
Charmast Portable Charger with Cables, available at Amazon
A portable charger is one of those Secret Santa gifts anyone can use, and this one is especially convenient. Highlights include built-in cables for multiple devices (including iPhone and Android), so your recipient won’t have to dig through their bag for the right cord, and a digital display that shows exactly how much charge is left. Lastly, its lightweight, ultra-slim design makes it a smart pick for commutes, trips, or long workdays.
Element Brooklyn
Mandarin Crush Hand Soap, available at Element Brooklyn
Aesop’s popular Resurrection hand soap will run you $44 a bottle. When we tested Element Brooklyn’s olfactory dupes, they smelled just like the real thing — citrus, cedarwood, and rosemary — all at half the cost.
Read more in our full Element Brooklyn review.
Uncommon Goods
Cavallini Papers & Co Vintage Puzzle at Amazon
Any puzzle lover will be thrilled to receive a Cavallini Papers & Co Vintage Puzzle. The high-quality puzzle comes in a variety of designs, from succulents to butterflies. After the puzzle is completed, it can double as wall decor.
Anthropologie
Icon Juice Glass, available at Anthropologie
Anthropologie’s Icon Juice Glasses are the perfect pick for the person on top of social media trends. These thick glasses are inlaid with hand-blown glass beads in the shape of ladybugs, fruit, ribbons, rainbows, and other charming shapes. See the Festive version for more holiday-themed designs.
Amazon
This Works Choose Sleep Kit, available at Amazon
When it comes to the best Secret Santa gifts, few things can surpass the gift of a good night’s sleep. Enter This Works Choose Sleep set, which includes a roller and a pillow spray, stacked with notes of Eucalyptus, Frankincense, and Lavender essential oils to calm the busiest minds at bedtime, and lull the body to sleep.
“I’ve lent this spray out to friends, roommates, and family to help them sleep, and I’ve always had trouble getting it back from them,” writes style editor Samantha Crozier. Trust us, especially around the holiday season, they’ll be grateful for the snooze.
Amazon
Cookie Box Crochet Kit for Beginners, available at Amazon
This crochet kit comes with everything they need to make their very own stuffed animal (called “amigurumi” in the crochet community): a crochet hook, yarn, stuffing, eyes, and stitch markets. You’ll also get a written guide and a link to a video tutorial. If all goes well, this gift will get them “hooked” on a new hobby.
Anthropologie
Capri Blue Capiz Mini Jar Candle, available at Anthropologie
Candles are always a crowdpleaser, and this scented one from Capri Blue in Volcano will look good in any room. It’s one of the best candle scents our senior home editor Jaclyn Turner has ever tested.
Crystal Cox/Insider
Dash Mini Waffle Maker, available at Amazon and Target
This miniature waffle maker is adorably small and will look super cute in their kitchen. Plus, it makes for a delicious, easy breakfast.
Amazon
ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum Cleaner, available at Amazon
Whether they’re work-from-home warriors or back in the office, cleaning their workspace is probably low on their priorities list. Ergo, they’ll appreciate this mini desktop vacuum cleaner from Odistar, as this clever desk accessory does the grunt work for them. It’s an especially useful gadget for daytime snackers who constantly munch on one thing or another at their workspace and leave crumbs in their midst.
Amazon
Harney & Sons How to Read Tea Leaves: A Card Deck and Guidebook for Divination, available at Amazon
If they’re a tea drinker, they probably don’t need another gift set tea sampler or a pretty mug, but they may be surprised to learn more about their favorite varietals with this guidebook that gives meaning to the types of teas and what they mean.
Amazon
Octobuddy Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount, available at Amazon
The latest must-have mobile tech accessory are these suction phone mounts that easily suction to flat surfaces like mirrors and windows for hands-free recording or streaming. A must-have for anyone who makes content for TikTok, and available in tons of colors. For a few dollars more you can upgrade them to a dual-sided suction mount to take the accessory on and off as they please.
Amazon
Pilot FriXion Synergy Clicker Erasable Pens, available at Amazon and Office Depot
For the writer or note-taker on your list, you can’t go wrong with these erasable pens from Pilot. These writing utensils are actually genius, offering users the professionalism of a pen, with the option to erase mistakes like you would with a pencil. Moreover, the pack includes seven fun colors to choose from, all of which are refillable, making this pick eco-friendly as well.
Smoko
Lil B Dumpling Ambient Light, available at Smoko
Whether they want to use it as a nightlight or just cute decor, you can’t go wrong with this little dumpling light.
Uncommon Goods
Color Map Mugs, available at Uncommon Goods
No matter what they’re sipping on, they’ll love doing so in this mug that they can completely customize. With the included markers they can color in the destinations they’ve been to or want to go to, for a map of the world that’s unique to them.
Brass Monkey
Brass Monkey Irrelevant Celebrity Trivia, available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
For the bestie who is keeping up with the latest Bravo series drama to the celebrity interviews from the late night circuit, this trivia card game includes 200 unique cards specifically themed around celebrities
Urban Outfitters
One Question a Day Journal, available at Amazon
A gift for your ambitious friend who’s always asking where you see yourself in five years. Help them answer this question for themselves, with a daily journal that poses a new question each day for five years.
Amazon
Glocusent USB Rechargeable Book Light, available at Amazon
For the avid night reader, this clip-on reading lamp is an accessory they can use at bedtime while their partner is trying to sleep. It has various light settings and a power indicator to show its battery life.
Amazon
Boska Milano Partyclette Melting Pan, available at Amazon and Boska
Melted cheese can make pretty much every meal better. If you don’t believe us, check out this video to see the gooey goodness in action.
Uncommon Goods
Old Fashioned Carry-On Cocktail Kit, available at Designer Rug
This kit fits right in their carry-on bag and has all of the fixings for two Old Fashioned cocktails. All they need to do is add whiskey or rye. This cocktail kit can be enjoyed at any altitude, but it will most definitely make for a fun flight activity and help inspire future travels when the time is right.
Amazon
DNA Motoring 39-Piece Household Tool Set, available at Amazon
Whether they’ve recently settled into a new place or always asking to borrow a screwdriver, there’s nothing more useful than a tool set. This one covers all the basics including a hammer, knife, scissors, tape measure, pliers, hex keys and screwdrivers in a storage case.
Sur La Table
Bushwick Kitchen Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha, available at Amazon
Give them a gift to take their hot sauce habit to the next level. The blend of Thai sriracha and Korean gochujang is sweet, spicy, and unlike anything they’ve ever tasted before.
Amazon
Mineralamp Glow Salt Lamp, available at Amazon
Himalayan salt lamps have recently become a big trend in home decor, but they’re also said to have healing properties that can potentially help purify the air around them. Whether they believe in the health benefits or not, anyone can enjoy the warm glow and aesthetic appeal of this hand-carved, 100% pure Himalayan salt lamp.
Nordstrom
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps, available at Ulta, and Nordstrom
Help them treat their skin right with Kiehl’s beloved, and super-hydrating Creme de Corps, another one of our favorite remedies for dryness, and one of the best body lotions.
Tile
Tile Mate, available at Amazon and Tile
Your forgetful friends and family will be so thankful for this gift. They can place this tracker in their wallet, purse, fancy water bottle, or phone case to make sure they never lose their things because if they do, the Tile app makes them easy to retrace.
Uncommon Goods
Ticket Stub Diary, available at Uncommon Goods
This is a great gift for anyone who is constantly attending shows, concerts, or sports games — and never throws away their tickets. Instead of keeping them hidden in a shoe box or desk drawer, they can use this diary, which has plastic sleeves to fit all different kinds of tickets as well as open margins on the sides where they can scribble notes to remind them of each event.
Sephora
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask Intense Hydration with Vitamin C, available at Amazon and Sephora
In this writer’s opinion, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is unmatched in terms of how quickly it yields results, thanks to the brand’s strategic use of its Berry Fruit Complex, Murumuru seed, and shea butter in each flavorful pot. Speaking of flavors, it comes in a selection of seven, from fan favorites like Vanilla and Gummy Bear to limited editions like Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint that are only available for the season.
Amazon
Mkono Modern Succulent Planters, available at Amazon
Help them add some greenery to their space with these cool concrete planters. Add some small plants if you want to complete the gift.
Amazon
“Divine Your Dinner” cookbook by Courtney McBroom and Melinda Lee Holm, available at Amazon, Bookshop, and Barnes & Noble
For the mystical friend, this cookbook lets them conjure a magical meal according to a fortune. The tarot cookbook contains 78 tarot card-inspired recipes divinely crafted by a tarot priestess and chef.
Amazon
Kikkerland Potted Pen Phone Stand, available at Amazon
If they’re stuck inside an office all day, they could benefit from seeing something green. This plastic plant isn’t as good as the real deal, but it adds some much-needed color and works as desk decor, plus it functions as a phone stand and organizational tool.