What to buy for your office Secret Santa in 2024
By Abby Seaman
An abiding philosophy of good gift-giving is showing how well you know the recipient, so the annual (and often compulsory) office Secret Santa can be the most daunting seasonal present to buy. Whether for a colleague in a different department or for your work bestie, here are our top Kris Kringle picks, all within the usual office gifting budget.
The best Secret Santa gifts under $30
Keep Cup cold cup OG 340ml, $23.95
Get your iced coffee-obsessed coworker the Keep Cup cold cup and coffee straw ($23.95) so they never have to worry about getting the unaesthetic single-use plastic cup with dome lid again. The reusable cup has a positive impact over single-use cups after 20 uses and is BPA/BPS free, non-toxic and dishwasher safe.
Kmart pickleball set, $25
If your Secret Santa candidate is always trying new activities or is fiercely competitive, the Kmart complete pickleball set ($25) covers both options. Pickleball is a combination of tennis, table tennis and badminton. One game takes about 20 minutes, the ideal time for a lunchtime tournament. The set is beginner-friendly and provides a net, two paddles and a ball.
Strapsicle strap, set of two, $23.95
Strapsicle (small size, $23.95) is the must-have accessory for any Kindle or eReader user. The clever silicone design hooks onto the corners of the device so it can be held securely and comfortably. Available in four sizes and 15 colours.
Mabu Mabu Kara Meta infusion tea bags, from Mabu Mabu, $18.50
Does your colleague always take a 3pm cuppa break? Mabu Mabu’s Kera Meta tea is the must-have desk drawer addition. The tea tin is available in three flavours, including much-loved Blak Mint, with 14 individual tea bags for a quick and easy cup of tea.
Bespoke Letterpress Brunch reusable large shopping bag, $18.95
We love this large reusable shopping bag ($18.95) from Bespoke Letterpress, with artwork by Australian artist Eliza Koch. The waterproof bag can carry up to 18 kilograms and can be stored in its matching pouch or rolled up and fastened with a convenient clasp. Our favourite design is the French-style Brunch (pictured), but the tote comes in other designs.
Lanolips lip rituals scrub & balm duo strawberry, $24.95
If you drew the beauty lover in the office Kris Kringle, look no further than the Lanolips lip ritual scrub and balm duo in strawberry ($24.95). The two-pack includes a natural sugar scrub to exfoliate dead skin and the 101 ointment multi-balm to seal in moisture. The set is a handbag essential.
Chotto Motto crispy chilli oil 200g, $18.50
For the foodie who smothers their packed lunch in hot sauce, give this spicy little gift. Chotto Motto’s crispy chilli oil ($18.50) adds spice and flavour to any meal. The 212ml jar of flavour is full of chilli, crunchy garlic and shallot. It’s also vegan and gluten-free.
XCD mini desktop vacuum cleaner, $19
The XCD mini desktop vacuum cleaner ($19) is for all the clean freaks who keep their pens in a row. The vacuum is portable and cordless, features a 360-degree rotatable design and is suitable for keyboards and desks. It runs on two AA batteries.
Glasshouse Fragrances Kyoto in Bloom soy candle (holiday limited edition), $19.
If you are really stuck for ideas on what gift to buy, you can never go wrong with a fragrant candle. The Glasshouse Kyoto in Bloom candle ($18.95) also doubles as a festive decoration. The miniature 30-gram candle comes in the brand’s crowd-pleasing scent of camellia and lotus.
Field Notes left-handed ruled notebooks, set of three, $23.95
Only 10 per cent of the world’s population is left-handed, but maybe you were lucky enough to pick one of them from the Secret Santa hat. It’s about time they had their own special notebook, and that’s what Field Notes have created – a three-pack of left-handed ruled notebook ($23.95) so the southpaws never smudge their writing again.
Nalgene wide mouth sustain bottle, $29
The emotional support bottle has been all the rage for some time now, and Nalgene has the adventurous, outdoorsy option. The leakproof one-litre bottle is BPA-free, can withstand freezing and boiling liquids and is guaranteed to last for life. To celebrate Nalgene’s 75th anniversary, the brand has released special retro prints featuring the Adirondack mountains, where the company began.
Typo daily mug, $9.99
A dedicated work mug is a must for anybody who drinks hot beverages and has a job. Typo daily mug ($9.99) has an impressive catalogue of funny, whimsical and crass coffee cups that are sure to spark joy. Consider this “Ask Me About My Cat” mug, for the coworker whose phone lock screen is a photo of Mr Whiskers.
Smiski blind box, $19.95
Smiski are glow-in-the-dark, collectable figurines packaged randomly in blind boxes, so each unboxing is a surprise. The Smiski At Work series ($19.95) features the funny little green man in six different work scenarios, plus a rare mystery one – the personality-filled toy makes a great desk buddy.
Butter Boy chocolate truffle Christmas cookie dough 550g, $25
If your Secret Santa is known to partake in the occasional (or frequent) sweet treat, give them what they want: the decadent Butter Boy Chocolate Truffle Christmas Cookie Dough ($25). The bake-at-home cocoa dough with a dark chocolate ganache centre means they can bake their cookies just how they like them.
If your coworker religiously brings lunch to work, get them something as cute as it is practical, like the Somewhere Co snack bag ($14). The bag with insulated lining is big enough to stash snacks on the go and keep them fresh during their commute. Available in various colourways.
Malin and Goetz vitamin B5 hand treatment 30g, $27
If your work environment requires a lot of handwashing, give the gift of soft, moisturised hands. The Malin and Goetz vitamin B5 hand treatment ($27) is a little tube of luxury, perfect for gifting. The nourishing cream, with refreshing bergamot scent, dries quickly without a sticky residue.
NON1 salted raspberry & chamomile non-alcoholic wine alternative, $30
During the silly season, alcohol can be a glaringly obvious gift choice. Whether or not your coworker drinks, NON1 non-alcoholic wine ($30) is a fun present to receive. Our choice is the almost too-pretty-to-drink salted raspberry and chamomile sparkling, which pairs well with a Christmas feast of ham and creamy desserts.
WWF feed a quoll for a month, $25.
Give the ultimate feel-good gift with a donation ($25) to feed an eastern quoll for a month. WWF Australia is working to reintroduce and restore the eastern quoll on Australia’s mainland. The gift donation helps supplement their food until they get established on their own.
Smelly Balls roadie air freshener, $20
A fun air freshener is a great car accessory that you usually don’t want to buy yourself, making it a great gift. Smelly Balls are four reusable, colourful, unscented felt balls that absorb fragrant liquid and diffuse the scent. The thoughtful present also comes with a few chuckles.
House of Darwin is an effortlessly cool brand that celebrates its love of the Northern Territory. If your Secret Santa hails from the Top End or just enjoys awesome things, give them a sticker pack ($19.95) to add a touch of the Territory to their everyday. Amont the 10 different styles, we love the bumper stickers and the souvenir pack.
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