Office Secret Santa Gifts Under $30: Pick by Coworker Type
An office Secret Santa usually comes with a budget of $20 to $30 and a person you barely know. The easiest way out is to guess what they do all day, then buy something for that.
So instead of a list of products, here’s a short guide by coworker type.
If they always have a drink in hand
Get the “Let Your Dreams Take Up Space” mug. It holds 11 oz, is microwave safe and top-rack dishwasher safe, and comes in several colors. It’s about $14, which leaves room to add a tea bag or a bar of chocolate.
If they live in spreadsheets
A mouse pad is a small gift that gets used every day. The “Do Less, Feel More” mouse pad is 9 x 7 inches with stitched edges and an anti-slip base, from about $16. For someone who’d like more desk space, the “A Little Progress Is Still Progress” desk mat comes in three sizes from 12 x 18 inches and starts at about $28.
If they work from cafés or commute with a laptop
The “There Is More to Life Than Hurry” laptop sleeve is neoprene with dual zippers, foam padding and a solid black back, so it looks understated in a bag. It comes in sizes from 7 to 17 inches, so check the laptop size first. If you can’t find out, pick one of the other gifts, since a wrong-sized sleeve is a gift that doesn’t get used. The starting price is about $28.
If they plan everything
The 2027 wall calendar has a generous grid for notes, semi-gloss 270 gsm paper and a silver wire coil, at 10.8 x 8.4 inches. Holidays aren’t marked, which suits teams who work around different calendars. It’s $26.99.
Before you buy
- Check the exchange date and work backwards. Each item is made to order. The free Secret Santa Organizer lists order-by dates for a Dec 18 exchange.
- Stay inside the budget. Our guide to organizing a Secret Santa explains how to set one.