Every December, whether it’s with your co-workers, friends or family, there’s always that Secret Santa gift that’s the envy of everyone. On the flip side, there’s the White Elephant gift that no one tries to steal. When you’re shopping for your own Secret Santa or White Elephant swap, you know which extreme you want to be on! That’s why we’ve rounded up the best Secret Santa gifts that all ring in under $20.
Even though $20 gifts are the standard for Secret Santa or white elephant parties, they can be very tricky to get right. For those just entering the workforce, Secret Santa or White Elephant parties are classic corporate techniques to help stir up some fun and bonding among teams around the holidays. In the case of a Secret Santa party, you’ll be assigned a teammate (usually at random) for whom you’ll have to buy a present for. Generally speaking, your company will set a limit for how much the presents can be (so that way nobody goes crazy or feels they have to). Similarly, White Elephant parties call for buying a gift that’s under a certain price point, and then an exchange happens the night of the office holiday party.
Quite often, buying these gifts comes with a heavy amount of anxiety. Lucky for you (after countless blunders at parties) we’ve scoured the deep depths of the internet to find fantastic gifts that will do well at any Secret Santa or White Elephant party. What’s more, we made sure all of our options are under $20, as that’s generally the monetary limit for such parties.
Take a look at our list below and remember, though it’s the thought that counts, it never hurts to give the best gift!
1. Maybe Swearing Will Help Adult Coloring Book
FOR THE CLASS CLOWN
We’ve all heard that adult coloring books can help take the edge off and that’s especially true when you have a laugh-out-loud-worthy one that puts the “adult” in “adult coloring book.” This one certainly isn’t for kids! Snarky, sarcastic and fun, Maybe Swearing Will Help: An Adult Coloring Book of Motivation, Puns & Cursing isn’t about staying in the lines — and that’s exactly what makes it one of the best Secret Santa gifts. It comes with a set of 30 Sargent Art Classic Fine Tip Markers in a case to complete the gift.
Buy: Maybe Swearing Will Help Adult Coloring Book $19.99
2. Anker Wireless Charger
FOR THE GADGET LOVER
You may not know the interests and tastes of all of your co-workers, but there’s one thing they have in common: the desire for a charged phone. Anker’s Wireless Charger is the necessity they didn’t know they needed, making it one of the best and most practical Secret Santa gifts. All they need to do to charge their phone or earbuds is to place them in the middle of the PowerWave Pad. No cables or plugs are necessary! And yes, it even charges through phone cases. It’s compatible with most devices, including iPhones and Androids.
Buy: Anker Wireless Charger $11.95
3. Godiva Chocolatier Patisserie Chocolate Truffle Flight Box
FOR THE SWEET TOOTH
It doesn’t get more classic than a beautiful box of chocolates, so this crowd-pleaser is a pretty safe bet. The fact that it’s a tasting flight of truffles makes this Secret Santa gift even more delightful and delicious. The box includes six chocolate truffles inspired by cakes and pastries, such as tiramisu, red velvet cake, creme brulee and chocolate souffle. Translation: It delivers the most delectable desserts are in chocolate truffle form. What’s not to love?
Buy: Godiva Chocolatier Patisserie Chocolate Truffle Flight Box $17.00
4. Dizaul Mobile Phone 3D Magnifier Projector Screen
FOR THE MOVIE BUFF
Expect to see some serious haggling at your White Elephant swap when you bring this ingenious device. The screen magnifier is basically a movie projector for your phone screen, creating a 12-inch screen so you can watch movies and videos in full HD on a bigger, better screen. Lightweight and portable, it’s great on the go and will make your next work break, trip, commute or whenever you like a little screen time much more enjoyable. You can add a Bluetooth keyboard to use it for HD gaming, too. Even better, it doesn’t require any batteries and is designed to fit most smartphones.
Buy: Dizaul Mobile Phone 3D Magnifier Projector Screen for Movies, Videos and Gaming $14.95
5. Tiny Arcade Pac-Man Miniature Arcade Game
FOR THE ARCADE FAN
Know someone who still talks about their high score? This mini Pac-Man Arcade Game is the Secret Santa gift made for them. Just like the original full-size arcade game, this tiny game offers multi-level gameplay. At just 3.75 x 1.75 x 1.75 inches, it literally fits in your pocket. Impressively, it has a high-definition color screen, complete with the full arcade sounds just like the original game with a light-up header.
Buy: Tiny Arcade Pac-Man Miniature Arcade Game $18.47
6. Sower’s Source Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
FOR THE GARDENER
Gardening has many benefits including stress reduction and the obvious supply of fresh food. This indoor herb garden kit includes everything you need to start your own little garden and also makes a great addition to an expert gardener’s collection. The kit contains five kinds of seeds — basil, cilantro, parsley, sage and thyme — as well as pots, soil and markers.
Buy: Sower’s Source Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit $18.89
7. Ugly Holiday Sweater Puzzle
FOR THE PUZZLE ADDICT
This Ugly Holiday Sweater Puzzle will definitely get laughs at the holiday party, making it a great Secret Santa gift. Sure to get the lucky recipient in a festive spirit, it’s ideal for cozy winter nights at home. The 1,000-piece puzzle depicting classic ugly holiday sweaters in the form of gingerbread cookies will keep them busy for a while. Even better, it’s made in the US from 100% recycled chipboard.
Buy:
Ugly Holiday Sweater Puzzle
$18.00
8. Urban Map Glass
FOR THE IMBIBER
Whether you opt for a glass of your own city or one where we’d all like to visit (who doesn’t want to be among the palm trees in sunny Los Angeles this time of year?), these transport you to the city streets while sipping your poison of choice. Each glass is etched with a city’s individual map, with details like street names and the location’s coordinates. You can take an imaginary walk every time you kick back with a drink. Bonus: these are completely crafted in the USA, with the glasses made in Ohio and etched in New Hampshire.
Buy:
Urban Map Glass
$16.00
9. Washable Holiday Plate Tattoos
FOR THE HOST WITH THE MOST
Some people take decorating for the holidays very seriously. For those who are always in the holiday spirit, get them these Washable Holiday Plate Tattoos for a Secret Santa gift. These single-use decals transform their everyday plates into tableware that’s ready to party. You’ll see how adding an elf or a snowflake will instantly and easily bring holiday cheer to any tablescape. And no need to worry —they’re made with edible vegetable inks, making them super safe. They easily wash off with water and a wipe of a sponge. The set comes with six sheets.
Buy:
Washable Holiday Plate Tattoos
$10.00
10. Tile Mate
FOR THE FORGETFUL
There’s no reason to your lose keys, phone or wallet in 2020. This tiny Tile tracker clips onto your keychain or goes in your wallet and connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Then when you lose your wallet or keys, ring the Tracker using the Tile app. And if you’ve misplaced your smartphone, a button on the Tile tracker will ring your phone. Plus, a community-find feature allows you to use other Tile trackers around the world to find your stuff if you lost it while out and about.
Buy: Tile Mate $19.99
11. Tackless Cordless Screwdriver
FOR THE HANDYMAN
This cordless screwdriver from Tackless makes a great gift for everyone from serious handymen to occasional DIYers. It’s small, lightweight and uses a USB port for charging, making it much more convenient than bigger drills. It’s ideal for little fix-ups and projects around the house (i.e. assembling furniture, mounting TVs, etc), but it can also be used for non-DIY jobs like quickly opening wine bottles at an event.
Buy: Tackless Cordless Screwdriver $19.99
12. Shower Beer Holder
FOR THE BEER DRINKER
Warm showers and a cold brew go together better than you might think. That’s why this shower beer holder makes a great drink. It’s sure to get a laugh at any white elephant party or secret Santa, and chances are your giftee will actually use the device too. Plus, reviewers say it’s also perfect for having a glass of wine in the bath.
Buy: Shower Beer Holder $15.75
13. Hasbro Gaming Coinhole Game
FOR THE PROCRASTINATOR
We all have that one coworker that slacks off at their desk. Upgrade these slackers and procrastinators’ time with a great desk game, such as this mini cornhole set. The game uses small coins (included) that your coworker will try to bounce into one of the cornhole boards. The whole thing also comes in a handy carrying case, so your coworker can bring it with them to work, the library, or while traveling.
Buy: Hasbro Gaming Coinhole Game $14.79
14. The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains
FOR COMIC BOOK FANS
The obvious choice for superhero comic lovers is a comic book, but we found a more unique gift instead. This book, The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains: Oddball Criminals from Comic Book History, profiles over one hundred of the strangest, most cringe-worthy villains in comic book history. Hilarious supervillains such as Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man make the book great for non-comic-readers as well as veteran enthusiasts.
Buy: The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains $18.28
15. LOVEHANDLE Phone Grip
FOR THE SCREEN-CRACKER
Everyone could use an extra hand preventing accidental phone drops. This highly-rated Lovehandle phone grip does just that, offering a small finger strap to keep your phone securely in-hand. It works for nearly any smartphone and comes in a variety of fun colors to match any personal style.
Buy: LOVEHANDLE Phone Grip $9.95
16. Toysmith Zen Garden
FOR THE ZEN MASTER
Whether you know someone with monk-level zen or someone in desperate need of some peace, this mini zen garden makes a great gift. Your giftee can put it by their bed for some nighttime relaxation, or even better, on their desk at work for a stress-relief break from screens. Zen gardens can get big and pricey, so we suggest this one from Toysmith Zen Garden because it’s compact and affordable at $18, but includes stones and rakes to keep your garden looking good.
Buy: Toysmith Zen Garden $17.89
17. Avocado Huggers
FOR THE AVO ADDICT
Everyone has that one friend, significant other or family member who always has half an avocado in their fridge. For that avocado lover, get this set of avocado huggers. They wrap around a half avocado to keep it fresh for avo toast the next morning of guacamole days later.
Buy:
Avocado Huggers
$7.95
18. Choose Your Dog Breed Socks
FOR COLD PAWS
You can never gift dog lovers too much dog stuff. These socks are great because you can get specific with your giftee’s own breed on the ankle — and no one can have too many socks. They come with 17 different breeds, but even if you can’t find the exact one, chances are you can get close enough. The socks are a gift that will hit home for any dog lover, and at just $12, they’ll keep your pockets full too.
Buy:
Choose Your Dog Breed Socks
$12.00
19. Barillio Cocktail Shaker Set
FOR THE BARTENDER
If you know any budding mixologists or veteran bartenders, opt for this inexpensive cocktail kit. For under $20 you get a stainless steel shaker, a muddler, a mixing spoon, a jigger, two liquor pourers, and even a recipe booklet. Your giftee will appreciate the upgrade to their home bar, and you can expect better drinks whenever you go to their house.
Buy: Barillio Cocktail Shaker Set $19.97
20. Edibles Cookbook
FOR THE BAKED CHEF
Now that weed is legal in several states, weed-related gifts are acceptable — even in some offices. This edibles cookbook provides some dessert recipes that would be great on their own, but get even tastier thanks to a low dose of pot. The cookbook provides much-needed details about dosage, so you can get zonked without going crazy (which sometimes happens with homemade edibles).
Buy:
Edibles Cookbook
$19.95
21. The New York Times Crossword Puzzles
FOR THE PUZZLE LOVER
This book features 50 New York Times crossword puzzles for cozy winter mornings. It has Monday through Friday puzzles (the difficulty increases each day) for all levels of crossword-enthusiasts. This makes it doable for beginners and masters alike, so you can gift it to virtually anyone.
Buy: The New York Times Crossword Puzzles $10.79
22. Potty Putter Toilet Golf
FOR THE BATHROOM HOG
Every minute of practice gets you closer to the perfect golf game. Even though it’s been around for a while, the Potty Putter always gets a laugh, and always gets put to good use. It’s a putting green and hole that you set-up right under your toilet and comes with a squatting-length putter club to match. Great if you’re giving a gift to an avid golfer or if you want to break the tension at the White Elephant party.
Buy: Potty Putter Toilet Golf $14.72
23. Pooch Selfie: The Original Dog Selfie Stick
FOR THE DOG LOVER
The Pooch Selfie stick is the latest and greatest breakthrough in selfie technology. Everyone has tried and failed to get a great selfie with their beloved dog, but now they finally can with this handy device. We’d recommend doing your research before buying it as a Secret Santa gift (just in case your person doesn’t have a dog). But this is always a crowd-pleaser for White Elephant gifts because every office has a dog lover.
Buy: Pooch Selfie $9.99
24. Apexel Phone Photography Kit
FOR THE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Now that phone cameras are the norm, it’s hard to stand out as a real photographer. But all of that is about to change with this clip-on lens from Apexel Phone Photography Kit. This lens snaps directly onto your smartphone to enhance image quality and make your pictures look much more professional. It makes a great gift for any photographer, but the lens’ usability also makes it a fun White Elephant gift as well.
Buy: Apexel Phone Photography Kit $17.25
25. A Daily Dose of Dad Jokes
FOR THE OFFICE CLOWN
Looking to finally one-up the office clown’s game? Or, perhaps, is your Secret Santa the office clown? Win everyone over with this hilarious (and surprisingly extensive) book of so-bad-they’re-good dad jokes. It has 365 terrible wisecracks which are enough for any comedian (self-proclaimed or otherwise) to learn something new. Here’s one from the book: “bowling jokes are right up my alley.”
Buy: A Daily Dose of Dad Jokes $9.89
17. InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser
FOR THE STRESS CASE
If you got stuck gifting that one person that never stops talking about how stressed they are or how poorly they slept last night, do them a solid by gifting this essential-oil diffuser. It releases a nice-smelling, stress-reducing oil mist, and doubles as a color-changing night light as well. Although there are many of these machines on Amazon, this one is definitely the best with over 16,500 reviews and a low price of just $13.
Buy: InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser $14.99
26. Sriracha Keychain Combo Pack
FOR THE HOT SAUCE ADDICT
We all know that person that drenches their food in hot sauce. These Sriracha keychains let any hot-sauce fiend keep their prized ingredient close at hand, just in case the restaurant doesn’t have it. They’re also ideal for traveling, as good hot sauce can be hard to come by on the road. This two-pack includes a one-ounce bottle and 1.7-ounce bottle, so your giftee can store one in their desk and one with their house keys.
Buy: Sriracha Keychain Combo Pack $13.99
27. Don’t Speak! Coffee Mug
FOR THE MORNING GRUMP
For the partner, friend, or family member that “can’t even” before their coffee, it’s always hard to find out when they “can even.” This mug solves the problem by letting everyone know when to start chatting, when to hold on a sec, and when to think about leaving the room.
Buy: Humor Us Home Goods Don't Speak! Coffee Mug $15.99
28. Vintage Mason Jar Salt & Pepper Shakers
FOR THE DECORATOR
Joke gifts are fun, but sometimes you want something your giftee will use and appreciate for a long time. For an easy, chic gift, we recommend these mason jar salt & pepper shakers. They come in a stylish blue or white and liven up any kitchen or dining table with a rustic look.
Buy: Vintage Mason Jar Salt & Pepper Shakers $13.99
29. Drunk Stoned or Stupid
FOR THE PARTY LOVER
Drunk Stoned or Stupid is one of the hottest party games right now, and for good reason. Each card contains a prompt that starts with “most likely to…” and the group must pick the friend that matches the description. It’s ideal with big groups, and, as the name suggests, is especially fun when you’re not sober. This makes a great White Elephant gift as it usually ends up being played immediately.
Buy: Drunk Stoned or Stupid $18.00
30. Geek Battle Board Game
FOR THE GEEK
Geek Battle includes trivia from video games, sci-fi, comics, science and more for the ultimate geek showdown. And don’t worry if you’re not a geek — the game is made to include everyone. This is another great gift for White Elephant parties as after a few drinks, most will be down to give the game a shot!
Buy: Geek Battle Board Game $16.21
31. Zoee Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
FOR THE DJ
A Bluetooth speaker is a great cheap gift because people of any age or personality will enjoy it. This one uses HD audio and enhanced bass to provide impressive wireless sound quality for a sub-$20 speaker. It comes highly-rated too, with over 4,000 reviews, so don’t worry about gifting a crappy piece of tech.
Buy: Zoee Wireless Bluetooth Speaker $17.59
32. Amazon.com Gift Card
FOR THE PICKY PERSON
Shopping for the impossible giftee? We’ve all been there. Luckily, in 2020 you can give a gift card to Amazon, which is basically cash without being, well, cash. Your picky giftee can go wild and buy whatever it is they want. Is it a cop-out? Maybe. But at least you’ll know they’ll find something they like.
Buy: Amazon.com Gift Card $10.00
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