Secret Santa Gifts You'll Genuinely Want to Keep
A Shopping Editor's Guide to Stellar Secret Santa Gifts — All Under $50
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Secret Santa gifts are tricky territory to navigate, but that's why we're here to help. Whether you're doing a gift exchange with your family or a group of friends, it can feel nerve-racking if you end up with the one person you're not close to, so we came up with some clever Secret Santa gift ideas for your shopping convenience. If your Secret Santa gift exchange has a price cap, we know that can limit your options even more. But don't worry, we found the best Secret Santa gifts under $50, so you don't have to stress.
Every one of these affordable gifts is universal enough that you could give it to your cousin you don't know so well, but still thoughtful enough to give to your best friend. There's something for homebodies, beauty lovers, and everything in between. Whether you're looking for a luxe candle, fun games, a gag gift, or a tech pick that will impress, there's a present in here that will make anyone smile. These Secret Santa gift ideas are so cute and useful, you might even want to buy one for yourself (on the off chance that your Secret Santa didn't read our gift guide).
The Best Secret Santa Gifts Under $50
- For an easy drinking game: These Cards Will Get You Drunk at $10
- For the game night host: Game of Phones at $12-$14, originally $12-$20
- For mug collectors: Anthropologie Cadeau Lidded Stoneware Mug at $16
- For the s'mores enthusiast: Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwave S'mores Maker at $17
- For the baker: "100 Cookies" Cookbook by Sarah Kieffer at $17, originally $30
- For beauty buffs: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm at $24
- For cold-weather style: Winter Hat Scarf Glove Set at $24, originally $30
- For the frequent misplacer: Apple Airtag at $24, originally $29
- For wine connoisseurs: JoyJolt Layla White Wine Glasses at $29, originally $50
- For the note-taker: Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook at $32, originally $35
- For the hydration-obsessed: Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle at $35
- For the chronic multitasker: Amazon Echo Dot at $32, originally $50
- For travel lovers: Twelve South AirFly SE at $35, originally $40
- For light sleepers: Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask at $38
- For self-proclaimed LEGO nerds: LEGO Icons Poinsettia Building Set at $40, originally $50
- For a streamlined hair routine: Volo Hero Hair Towel at $48
- For candle enthusiasts: Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Candle at $49
1 Best Secret Santa Gift For the One Who Brings the Party
These Cards Will Get You Drunk ($10)
These Cards Will Get You Drunk will be a hit at any party. It's super easy to learn, and will be one your friends want to put to use ASAP. Just make sure the person you're gifting actually drinks before you go with this present.
2 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Game Night Host
Game of Phones ($12-$14, originally $12-$20)
This modern take on the classic scavenger hunt requires their favorite possession — a smartphone! Game of Phones asks players to engage in a smartphone scavenger hunt in which only the fastest players will survive (just kidding, they'll win points).
3 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Mug Collector
Anthropologie Cadeau Lidded Stoneware Mug ($16)
This glazed-stoneware mug features vibrant stripes and a lid that not only keeps your hot cocoa, tea, coffee or toddy warm, but also transforms it into the cutest gift to unwrap with every sip. It's microwave and dishwasher friendly and impossible not to love.
4 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Sweet Tooth
Prep Solutions by Progressive Microwave S'mores Maker ($17)
This microwavable s'mores maker makes s'mores a year-round treat. No campfire needed! It's such a fun gift, and will make anyone smile. If you also bring the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, it makes for the perfect present.
5 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Baker
"100 Cookies" Cookbook by Sarah Kieffer ($17, originally $30)
The "100 Cookies" cookbook is such a thoughtful and practical Secret Santa gift for the one who loves to bake, especially during the holiday season. It features 100 recipes for all sorts of cookies, treats, brownies, bars, and so much more. It's a gorgeous cookbook they'll want to display in their kitchen.
6 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Gloss Lover
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($24)
We could all use more hydration as the season gets colder and drier, and this Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is an editor-favorite. It comes in 10 shades, including a range of neutrals for an everyday lip. It contains hydrating ingredients like shea and murumuru seed butters so your lips won't feel parched. For more details and photos, read our Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm review.
Editor Quote: " Its applicator hugs my lips perfectly, and it applies like butter. Not only that, but it smells incredible, too. I own both the vanilla beige and poppy, and they both have a light scent that fades away quickly. Personally, I apply mine over lipstick, and I love how plump and moisturized it makes my lips feel. It gives off that perfect dewy summer look and lasts a few hours on my lips before I feel the need to reapply. Both the colors have a fairly minimal tint, which I like over my lipstick, and I switch between the poppy and vanilla beige depending on my look. Quite possibly my favorite part is the formula — it doesn't feel tacky and sticky, but hydrating and smooth. My lips have certainly thanked me — I even wear it overnight." — Haley Lyndes, shopping staff writer
7 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Winter
Winter Hat Scarf Glove Set ($24, originally $30)
This set of matching hat, scarves, and gloves is such a useful and affordable get for secret santa. Made from a thick, high quality material, this set has a fleece lining that feels so soft and warm on the skin. Plus, the gloves are also touchscreen compatible. It comes in a variety of neutral colors as well, and this set actually looks stylish.
8 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Person Who Constantly Misplaces Things
Apple AirTag ($24, originally $29)
This is a useful gift for the frequent traveler, especially those who've dealt with lost luggage in the past. They'll be able to track their bags throughout their travels using the Find My app on their iPhone to make sure their checked luggage is safe and sound. Even if they don't have any international flights planned, they can attach one to anything else they frequently misplace, like keys or the remote control. For more details, read our Apple AirTag review.
Editor Quote: "When we landed, I was able to see one of the Apple Airtags immediately at our airport, which gave me peace of mind knowing the others would follow shortly, which they did. They're affordable and easy to use; I'll be taking them with me on every trip." — India Yaffe, former associate shopping editor
9 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Host
JoyJolt Layla White Wine Glasses ($29, originally $50)
Shopping for the one who loves to host and throw dinner parties? Get them a set of chic wine glasses — something they'll not only appreciate, but actually put to use. These timeless options from JoyJolt add a contemporary and elegant vibe to a tablescape. They look and feel like high-end wine glasses, so everyone will be shocked that the set's under $50.
10 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Busybody
Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook ($32, originally $35)
The Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook contains only 36 pages, but they can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and be exported to Slack, email, Google Drive — you name it. It's a genius gift they'll use all the time.
11 Best Secret Santa Gift For Hydration
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($35)
The Owala FreeSip Water Bottle comes in a ton of colors and is made with vacuum-insulated stainless steel to keep drinks cold. They can sip through a straw or chug it, and it's so easy to clean. Read our in-depth review of the Owala FreeSip Water Bottle to see why it's worth the hype.
Editor Quote: "Beyond its aesthetics, I fell in love with the dual-function straw. What makes it so great is that you can either sip through the built-in straw (ideal for avoiding spills when it's full) or swig from the spout opening when you need a lot more water at once (perfect for those intense Sculpt classes)." - Marisa Petrarca, contributing shopping editor
12 Best Secret Santa Gift For Tech Enthusiasts
Amazon Echo Dot ($32, originally $50)
This latest version of the Echo Dot includes improved sound quality, but comes with all of the usual perks you're used to, like Alexa help for everything from setting alarms to using smart-home devices.
13 Best Secret Santa Gift For the Traveler
Twelve South AirFly SE ($35, originally $40)
Shopping for someone who travels often? This nifty gadget lets them use their Bluetooth enabled earbuds or headphones on in-flight entertainment systems, gaming devices, or gym equipment. Your secret santa will appreciate something useful and unique.
14 Best Secret Santa Gift For Light Sleepers
Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask ($38)
Like a weighted blanket for your eyes, this eye mask applies light pressure to create a soothing sensory experience on top of blocking light. The soft and slightly fuzzy mask hits key pressure points for a calming effect that's perfect for easing into sleep. Our former editor (and her husband) tested the mask out and are both huge fans. You can find more details in this Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask review.
Editor Quote: "The NodPod is best for those looking to level up their sleep routine by blocking out light and promoting relaxation. Whether you're already a fan of weighted blankets, white noise machines and other sleep products or brand-new to the category entirely, it might just surprise you as much as it did my husband and I." — Murphy Moroney, former associate family editor
15 Best Secret Santa Gift For the LEGO Lover
LEGO Icons Poinsettia Building Set ($40, originally $50)
If you're shopping for the LEGO lover on your list, this adorable Poinsettia Building Set is something they'll adore. The festive find is perfect for those who love to build and get crafty during a cozy night at home. They can even display it among other decor as a conversation piece.
16 Best Secret Santa Gift For Easier Hair Wash Days
Volo Hero Hair Towel ($48)
This super-soft hair towel is lightweight yet incredibly absorbent. It helps hair to dry faster and is much easier to wrap and wear than a typical towel, thanks to the size and thoughtful tuck-in strap. Our editor tested out this popular purchase and immediately bought one for her mom as a gift. For more details, read her Volo Hero Hair Towel review.
Editor quote: "You can't tell by the images online, but the towel is ridiculously fluffy and soft. The size is also perfect — large enough to envelope your hair but small enough so that it feels balanced and weightless. With a typical bath towel, I usually leave it on for five minutes or so since it starts unraveling and toppling off my head as I move around. The small strap on this towel means that I can twist it and tuck the end in so that it stays secure. I can make breakfast in my bath robe with my hair wrapped in the towel and don't have to worry about it falling down." — Angela Elias, contributing shopping editor
17 Best Secret Santa Gift For Candle-Lovers
Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Candle ($49)
For a luxury candle that still works with your budget, you can't go wrong with anything from Salt & Stone. This Santal & Vetiver scent is warm and earthy with notes of sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, and cardamom. It also happens to be Revolve's bestselling candle.
— Additional reporting by Angela Elias, Lauren Harano, and India Yaffe
Anvita Reddy (she/her) is a former assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. At PS, she tested skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.
Angela Elias (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping, where she reviews everything from beauty products to kitchen gadgets, curates can't-miss sales, and creates "best of" shopping roundups. In her former roles at PS, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.
Lauren Harano is a contributor for PS and was formerly an editor for PS Living, Beauty, and Shop. She has a passion for skin care, murder mysteries, and online shopping. Aside from PS, her work can be found in the pages of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen as well as online at InStyle, Esquire, NBC, and various food and travel sites.
India Yaffe was an associate editor on the Shopping team at PS for five years. She focused on curating the best fitness, fashion, beauty, and home products on the market for the PS audience.
