41 Best Secret Santa Gift Ideas For Coworkers [2021 Edition]

Ho, ho, ho!

With Christmas knocking at the door, it is time to feel festive and work on your secret santa gift ideas for coworkers, as a part of the age old Secret Santa gift exchange.

This Christmas, whose name do you think you would draw?

Would it be your best friend from work or someone you barely know?

As for your coworkers, they know, they observe, they see you, all the time.
So finding the perfect gift for them is a lot of pressure and a tad-bit adventurous too.

Are you trying to figure out the gift for that one guy who is always late to work and whose preferences are unknown to you?

Looking for an answer to this would be quite a task.

And we are here to help!!

The secret behind nailing the Secret Santa is quite simple. The perfect gift is the one that blends equal parts of thoughtfulness and utility.

Please do yourself a favor and bookmark this article so that you can help hapless gift seekers like you. Let’s begin, shall we?

Top 41 Secret Santa Gifts For Coworkers That Everyone Will Love

1. Loose Leaf Tea

Did anyone say Tea? Yes, you heard it right.

Tea. who doesn’t like tea?

And if given a chance, it can make for a pretty good gift- a gift especially meant to relieve stress.

Image courtesy: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

Tea is an amazing, wonderful concoction. It is chock-full of essential antioxidants to stay rejuvenated and healthy.

Loose leaf tea is not only easily accessible, but also more affordable than your other alternatives.

The added bonus?
There’s a lot to choose from.

Sore throat? Ginger tea.
Increasing cognitive function? Black tea.
Relieving stress and anxiety? Peppermint tea.
Vitamin Deficient? Matcha Green Tea.

Whatever suits you, just go for it!!

2. Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Sounds too dull for Secret Santa gift exchanges?

Probably yes, but this one gift is an undiscovered gold-mine.

Image courtesy: soumen82hazra / Pixabay

Plastic bottles not only harm the ecosystem but also can turn out to be unsanitary. This makes steel water bottles the ideal choice.

There are many benefits to having one at hand.

Along with being environment-friendly, these steel water bottles are durable and can prevent harmful carcinogens from leaching into your drinking water.

One of the most interesting facts is that steel bottles offer your drink at the desired temperature.

See how convenient that is?

Also, it comes in various colors & designs. This is one of those perfect gifts that nobody knew that they needed until they received it.

3. Gift Cards

Skeptical about what you should get for your colleagues, in the gift exchange?

We have an idea- Gift cards.

Image courtesy: Christian Wiediger / Unsplash

The concept of gift cards is extremely simple and convenient for it provides one with some amount of money for purchases.

Who would not like such a gift?

For one, it saves you the trouble of choosing gifts for your coworkers without knowing their preferences.

And two, this way it is easier, as they can select anything for themselves with those gift cards.

It presents both of you with some relief as you are able to give them something which they prefer and are satisfied with.

So, simply opt for gift cards as an option for gifts.

4. Coloring Books

A typical office day has ample amounts of stress, work, and frustrations.
Sometimes, all a person needs is to click on rewind mode, bring their inner child out & be themselves.

And coloring books are an excellent option for that.

Image courtesy: J. Kelly Brito / Unsplash

Admit it, whether you can draw or not, putting colors on a sketch is something even a 40-year old considers fun. The hype may or may not exist for these coloring books anymore but they still have a stable market.

Also, the genre is supposedly growing with the new types of coloring books available for the holiday season, which is around the corner.

And, yes, coloring books for adults do exist and are notably popular.
If you are shopping for someone who has a creative streak, coloring books will be a perfect gift for them.

A soothing coloring book is sure to find a spot in their desk for when they need to zone out for a bit.

5. French Press

Coffee, anyone?

How many times has this particular beverage helped you sit through long hours of work with ease?

Very often, coffee is the only thing that can make me go through the day. And I'm pretty sure that a lot of people share the same sentiments.

Image courtesy: Sonny Ravesteijn / Unsplash

A french press is a perfect gift to give someone some fancy coffee gear to make fancy coffee.

It looks classy. It sounds classy.

Also, it has the word ““french”” in it. Apart from being fancy, it is fuss-free too.

Easy, time-saving, no perfection in pouring technique required- what else does one need?

Hands down, French press makes it to the top list of gifts.

Not only will this make a coffee-lover write odes to you, but you can also indulge in some sublime coffee, once in a while.

6. Essential Oils

It’s the “most wonderful time of the year”, and nothing screams holiday as giving the gift of scent or essence.

Also, amid hectic schedule with all of you working tirelessly towards meeting your goals, what could be a better way to release stress than aromatherapy?

Image courtesy: Cosiela Borta / Unsplash

Diving into the world of essential oils is an incredible experience. Along with pleasant aromas, essential oils provide a myriad of health benefits.

Such essential oils can help in elevating mood, inducing better sleep, and find harmony in life.

Caring about the well-being of your associates is an appreciable gesture.
This will be a great gift for aromatherapy lovers and for those who need an extra kick to their day.

7. Perfumes

What is that one thing everyone resorts to when they cannot think of any other gift?

Enter- Perfumes.

Image courtesy: Siora Photography / Unsplash

Perfumes are the most underrated. They literally fall in our go-to category as we use perfumes almost daily, unless one likes to smell unpleasant.

I mean, nobody can hate a good old bottle of perfume.
I mean, what’s not to like?

They smell nice, can be worn every day, and are relatively inexpensive.

Additionally, perfumes are more ““gift-worthy”” than other alternatives by signaling that you care about your Secret Santa gift recipient.

With beautiful packaging and lovely scents, perfumes denote that the recipient is worth the luxury.

8. A Self-Care Set

Practising a bit of self-care is mandatory, irrespective of any season. But with so much work in hand, we often miss out on our daily self-care routine.

However, during holidays, the situation changes as people do get a lot of time to focus on themselves.

Image courtesy: Lina Verovaya / Unsplash

As a result, a self-care kit turns out to be a pretty thoughtful gift.

Giving someone a gift that urges them to take a little ““me”” time and encourages them to take proper care of themselves, is extremely sweet.

This is, especially, for those Secret Santas who have no idea what the recipient likes.

The added bonus?

You don’t even have to assemble it yourself. Various brands and stores do the job for you by providing several types of kits right from bath essentials, skin care kits to stress relief kits and so on.

You just got to pick one.

9. Wallets

Call it a basic necessity but wallets are used on a regular basis making it prone to frequent damage.

The universal attribute binding us all is having a worn down wallet.

Gifting a wallet is the classic, quintessential gift.

Image courtesy: Christian Seymour / Unsplash

We all need one, and wallets tend to wear down over time.

Carrying a wallet to every place is a habit because it contains the most important thing in the whole wide world.

Thus, having a proper wallet is important. And choosing a wallet should be a delicate business considering that it is going to be used a lot.

Wallets should be durable and tasteful. Furthermore, smaller is significantly better.

10. Hot Sauce

Bet you never saw this coming, huh?
But lovers of hot sauce know what I'm talking about.

Image courtesy: Charles Deluvio / Unsplash

Hot sauce is not a gift. It is an emotion.

Fried chicken? Chicken wings? Tacos?

Hot sauce is that one constant.

This will be a perfect gift in honor of those obsessed with all things spicy.
Round up a couple of hot sauce bottles in varying levels of spiciness and flavors.

We're sure that it would delight the fire loving Secret Santa recipient.

11. Warm Gloves

Winter is coming. And the holiday season too.

Curling up in our bed is not an option for there is work to do. And going out gets a lot difficult when it is freezing cold outside.

So let me make it easy for you- A great gift option for those chilly, unforgiving winter days when you need to keep your hands toasty, is warm gloves.

Image courtesy: Robin Wolff / Pixabay

A trusty pair of warm winter gloves are a must-have (no one wants to walk around with frozen fingers).

Opt for styles with functional specifications such as insulation and heat-trapping materials. There are plenty of tech-friendly gloves that make it easier to tap on the mobile screen.

12. Box Of Chocolates

The terms- chocolates and gifts can be interchangeably used- the perfect gift for when you are out of ideas, options, or time.

Image courtesy: Elle Hughes / Pexels

A box of chocolates always comes to the rescue when you are in a dilemma about gifts.

Nephew’s birthday? Cousin’s birthday? Uncle’s birthday?
Just get some chocolates.

Especially, if one has a sweet tooth, chocolates are nothing less than heaven.
Hence, it makes for a pretty nice gift.

Go for the ones that contain an assortment of flavors. That way, there is something for everyone.

13. Headphones

A pair of headphones is the perfect gift for those coworkers of yours who can’t do without music, or someone who is into video games.

Image courtesy: Ryan Quintal / Unsplash

They will forever be thankful to you for helping them shut off from the world.
Plus, headphones are a necessity in the corporate world.

Nobody would like a coworker putting their conference calls on speaker, including you. So, you would be helping everybody.

Also, you can be sure that it will get used and not dumped in some dusty corner of the desk.

A good pair of headphones is one of those things nobody realizes they need until they own one. So, help them out.

There are always newer versions in the market. Gift them the latest ones and be the best secret santa for your music buff and gamer coworkers.

14. Ugly Christmas Sweaters

As the lyrics of the song “Ugly Christmas Sweater” goes “put your ugly Christmas sweater on” , it’s obvious that ugly Christmas sweaters are the spirit of the holiday season.

Image courtesy: Please Don't sell My Artwork AS IS / Pixabay

Everybody wants to have fun during the holidays and these sweaters are a fun, cheerful tradition that everybody loves.

And, the bolder, the better. Go for something over-the-top with a funky pattern, one wouldn’t normally wear.

The options are endless, and each one seems funnier and uglier than the last.

Also, you will cross your coworker’s mind every time they come across that ugly, fun sweater in their wardrobe.

15. Charming Coffee Mugs

Coffee mugs. Sounds boring right?

Coffee mugs are given as gifts to the point that they seem effortless and boring.

But now-a-days, there is a whole range of variety to exciting coffee mugs.

Image courtesy: John-Mark Smith / Unsplash

The cups of today are sleek, stylish and can add glamour to any office desk.

You can also customize these cups with personalized pictures, quotes and almost anything you want. This way it feels more personal and your coworker will see that you had put effort into it.

Also, a unique mug is a perfect gift for coworkers who need some beverage or the other to refuel through the day.

What makes it better is that purchasing one won’t make a dent in your bank account.

16. Succulents

Everybody is into Pinterest inspired decor these days. And, succulents are a big part of it.

Image courtesy: Kari Shea / Unsplash

Nobody would be more excited than that coworker who always goes through the Pinterest decor feed, but never had the time to buy one.

You can give your coworker a head start to their dream office space by gifting them a cute succulent to keep on their desk. Also, these small, striking plants represent incredibly amazing meanings and symbolisms.

For instance, the cactus brings luck and fortune to owners. In Feng Shui, it’s believed that succulents like crassula can bring good fortune and protect the owner from negative vibes.

17. Books

In this age of everything going digital, a nice book as a gift will be both nostalgic and like a breath of fresh air.

Moreover, when you have a bookworm as your Secret Santa recipient, you can’t go wrong with picking up the next bestseller as the gift.

Image courtesy: Daria Nepriakhina / Unsplash

A book is a perfect gift for the holiday season one can curl up with it and a cup of cocoa.

Also, books are easy to find, travel friendly, and can provoke both fun and exciting conversations.

18. Luxe Coffee

Everyone has that one coworker who is a caffeine addict and can’t go without 2-3 cups of coffee a day.

Here’s the perfect secret Santa gift for them.

Image courtesy: TeeFarm / Pixabay

Luxe coffee is the gift that every coffee snob needs in their life. Which coffee drinker in the world wouldn’t like those irresistibly rich, aromatic, high quality coffee beans as a gift.

It would be a blessing for them. You would help them survive through the weekdays.
And, the premium and luxury that expensive coffee offers can’t be rivalled by any other gift.

19. Scarves

The perfect gift for the fashionista at your office.

Scarves are in these days. They are versatile and can be worn almost everyday.
So, give your fashionista coworker an added element in their wardrobe to style it with all their amazing outfits. I promise they will love it.

Image courtesy: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

Also, scarves are useful during the winters, seasonal, and works from December through April.

Find one that’s stylish, affordable, cozy, and adds to the Christmas charm.

20. Trendy Laptop Sleeves

Help your coworkers protect their laptops and make it look cool at the same time.
Laptop sleeves make for a cool accessory that is bound to stand out from the rest.

Image courtesy: Bongkarn Thanyakij / Pexels

There is a whole range of laptop sleeves in the market.

To make your gift look more personalized, pick one that has your coworker’s favourite music band or preferred design printed on it. Or just go for a solid color classic one. Either way, it would be perfect.

Laptop sleeves also make carrying laptops much more comfortable while travelling.

21. Sunglasses

You have to be a bit more careful while picking out a pair of sunglasses for your coworker. There are certain rules.

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For instance, you have to pay more attention to the face shape and skin color of your coworker. Owing to it depends on different people.

But once you figure the perfect pair to get, sunglasses can be the best gift.

It’s the perfect gift to protect the eyes from the harsh, unforgiving sun. Plus, they are fun, stylish, and unlike clothing, you can’t offend someone by buying the wrong size.

22. Socks

Who doesn’t need a warm, fuzzy pair of socks during the winters?

Image courtesy: Thái An / Unsplash

So, if you’re struggling to find a last-minute Secret Santa gift, stop wasting your time.

Unless you’re buying for some spoilt brat who doesn’t appreciate the value of a competent, fuzzy pair of socks, go to the sock aisle right now.

Help keep your coworker warm during Christmas.

23. Netflix Subscription

That movie buff coworker of yours would love you for this.

Image courtesy: Thibault Penin / Unsplash

And anyway, who doesn't like getting a free subscription to a whole new world of entertainment. This one gift is sure to be appreciated by anyone who receives it.

Also, Netflix has made it easy to buy Gift Cards, and they can be redeemed for either the streaming or DVD/Blu-ray rental service.

24. Gift Basket

Just a basket full of little surprises- this can turn out to be pretty impressive.
Gift baskets filled with delicious packets of happiness always bring smiles to people’s faces.

Image courtesy: Freddie Collins / Unsplash

So what can be a better gift option than this?

The holiday season, anyway, calls for cravings and should be fully utilized for such.

And what could be better for indulging something than curating a delicious gift basket for them?

Gift baskets come in various types.

Fruits, chocolates, snacks- everything is available to choose from. No matter the occasion, there is a gift basket for everyone out there.

Moreover, personalizing the gift basket is the key to making it the perfect Secret Santa gift.

25. Bonsai tree

Bonsai trees serve the purpose of any occasion. It can be termed as what we call a unique gift.

There is nothing as distinctive as a bonsai tree.

Image courtesy: Davide Cantelli / Unsplash

Easy to maintain, it also has the capacity to outgrow a human for it is huge on lifespan. You can see centuries-old bonsai trees still out there.

Your coworkers can easily keep it on their desk as it does not even create a mess of any kind.

Impossible to outgrow, you can also decorate it like a Christmas tree and keep doing it every year- thanks to its long life.

Additionally, it comes in a variety of species. Also, there are both indoor and outdoor bonsai trees to choose from- the outdoor ones even produce edible berries.

With environmental threats at their peak, a gift of nature represents positivity.

26. Bluetooth speaker

Technology is a gift in itself and gives an array of gift options. And one of the most useful and reasonable gifts of technology is a bluetooth speaker.

Image courtesy: AB / Unsplash

Gone are those days when we had to connect our phones or laptops to speakers with an auxillary audio cable and play music.

With the availability of bluetooth speakers, things have become so easy.
Wireless speakers come in handy in every situation.

Portable and compact-they make the perfect everyday accessory.
Such a gift would be well-received by anyone.

A bluetooth speaker is made accessible in various ranges, starting at the most affordable rates.

So this holiday, let your coworkers have a great musical evening with holiday tunes and whatnot.

27. Desk accessory holder

It may seem very ordinary for a gift but it is quite serviceable.
Also known as a desk organizer, it can help you assemble your important things and arrange them in a proper manner.

Image courtesy: Markus Spiske / Unsplash

Many times, you will notice the messy office desks with documents, pens, and everything else getting mixed up. That is where our desk accessory holder comes in and solves the problem, once and for all.

A desk accessory makes it convenient to compartmentalize, store, and ultimately locate your everyday work items.

Doing so, your desk keeps clean too.

Not too shabby for a gift, right?
Infact, it is more of a gift of utility.

Gifting a desk accessory holder to your workmates is thoughtful and will serve them well, as it will assist them with their work setup.

28. Wine bottle gift box

If there is no wine in a celebration, is that even a celebration?

The festive season along with the end of year screams celebration to everyone.

Lavish occasions call for lavish gifts- one of which is a wine bottle gift box.

Image courtesy: Helena Yankovska / Unsplash

Pack a good bottle of wine alongside a wine glass with it.
With Christmas and New Year around the corner, a gift box of wine is a much-needed gift.

Be a cool santa and get a nice gift box of wine and surprise your coworkers- make the season more delightful for them.

29. Backpacks

Need I even say how beneficial this particular thing is?
It is a well-known fact that backpacks are our constant travel buddy.

Image courtesy: Luis Quintero / Unsplash

Having a durable backpack is very necessary in terms of work.
It won’t be wrong to say that we carry our most vital items with us, in those backpacks.

So, wrap one of these for your coworkers in return for a lot of admiration.

30. Waterproof Notepad & pen

Pens are categorized in the practical gift category- ideal for the workplace.
Used by everyone, it is quite useful yet can be ordinary if not complemented by something catchy.

A notepad to a pen is like bread to butter. But in this case, we are talking about a waterproof one.

Image courtesy: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

Workplace desks are often susceptible to people dropping coffee or water. Important notes can get affected and disrupt your work.

Faced with such a situation, waterproof notepads are your savior. Get one for your teammates and ask them to thank you later.

31. Smartwatch

Smartwatches are today’s sensation. Being fit and healthy is a necessary lifestyle choice for many.

These days, people spend most of their time sitting during work and this makes them inactive to a great extent. That is what a sedentary job does to you.

And this is what makes a smartwatch an apt gift for your team mates.

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The watches can keep one in check, helping track daily physical activities.

So, boost your mates. Motivate them to stay fit by giving them a smartwatch.

This gift will even encourage the ones who are too demotivated to work out, for now they will possess something which will remind them that they are not doing enough. Hence, a reality check.

See? A smartwatch even lets you make smart decisions.

32. Windchime

Windchimes are the elements of positive energy- much needed in the holiday season.
A windchime is considered to be a peaceful object with a beautiful sound able to get rid of offsetting energy.

Image courtesy: Nehal Patel / Unsplash

And, it is that time of year where everyone is filled with joy and there is no room for negativity.

Presenting a windchime to your colleagues is a notion of a cordial relationship.

These little bells of delight set the mood and are a treat to the eyes, for they come in several pretty little designs and multicolors.

In addition to that, windchimes make for great Christmas decoration items too.

Seems like a win-win situation!

33. Office Emergency Kit

Help your coworker be prepared for all the small mishaps that happen all the time at work.

Image courtesy: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

Prepare a mini, desktop-friendly emergency kit that includes all the stuff that your coworker might need to handle a bad headache, or a paper cut, or a chipped nail, or basically anything you could think of.

Your coworker would be most thankful to you when they face any such situation and that kit acts as the saviour.

34. Leather mouse pad

A mouse pad might sound too basic. But what about a leather one?

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Everything leather automatically increases the value of the product. It looks classy, is durable and ergonomic, all at the same time.

So, you would be taking care of your coworker’s style and comfort as their secret Santa.

35. Scented candle

Help your coworker take a nice break from the year long glaring at screens and stressing over work.

Holidays are all about relaxation and detoxification and scented candles help. These candles will help calm them and are likely to help sleep better.

Image courtesy: Paul Wence / Pexels

Also scented candles come in pretty packages and with a whole range of scents to pick from.

Pick one that you think your coworker would prefer, for eg. floral, woodsy, earthy, citrusy, or anything in between.

There is a scent that appeals to all of us.

36. Desk lamp

A desk lamp might sound antique these days. But trust me, all the bookworms and everyone who loves to decorate would love it.

Image courtesy: Alex Bierwagen / Unsplash

For one, desk lamps are one of the most useful parts of a home or a place you can think of, as lights always contribute to the ambiance of the room.

And someone who wants to read a book at night, can do it peacefully and quietly.

Second, there are very pretty looking lamps which enhance the style and can make the room brighter. It can instantly change the overall feel of the place regarding decor.

37. Seat cushions

You know how it can get very uncomfortable and painful, sitting long hours on that office chair.

So, be a good secret Santa to your coworker and help relieve from the painful experience. Gift them comfortable seat cushions for their office chair.

Image courtesy: Ruben Daems / Unsplash

Seat cushions are ergonomic, improve posture, support the lower back, and give a comfortable experience overall.

There is a variety of these cushions in all shapes and sizes. So, pick out the right one for your secret Santa recipient.

38. Humidifier

A humidifier is just the perfect winter gift, for someone you care.

Image courtesy: Anke Sundermeier / Pixabay

Help your coworker combat dry winter air and be surrounded with a hydrating environment.

Pick a cute one that’s also desktop-friendly and you would be the most caring secret Santa ever.

Your coworker can keep it on their office desk after the holidays and have a warm and happy environment to work in.

39. Smartphone projector

Smartphone projector. Yes, it’s a thing.

Image courtesy: Alex Litvin / Unsplash

One can transform their smartphone into a big screen projector. Isn’t it amazing?
It will be a charming gift for the coworker who loves watching movies or having game nights at home.

The added benefit?

You too can join those game nights and develop good friendships with your coworkers.

40. Massager

Nobody would deny a nice massage once in a while to relieve from all the work stress.

Image courtesy: Anna Shvets / Pexels

But, not everybody has the time to go and get a professional massage whenever they need one.

So, gift your coworker a handy massager that they can carry to the office and get a quick massage themselves when work gets too stressful.

There are various types of these massagers ranging from electric to manual ones. Also, there are foot, neck, back, head, eye and a whole lot of different massagers to choose from.

Pick one that matches your budget.

41. Customized Keychain

Keychains are the best gift for that coworker who always misplaces their keys or ID card.

Image courtesy: @thiszun (IG, FB) / Pexels

And what’s better than customized ones? Customize it with their name or anything you want and make it look more personalized.

It’s a very practical gift but also has a sense of style. So, it’s a win-win.

Wrapping up

Christmas will be here, before you know it.

So, now that you have got a huge list of the best secret Santa gifts that you can choose from, pick out one and start wrapping your gifts.

Choose your gifts wisely and be the best secret Santa to your coworkers.

Related: 25 Perfect Christmas Gifts for Employees You Can Consider

This article is co-authored by Dipshi Bhattacharjee and Lubna Ikram, who work as content marketers at Vantage Circle. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com