Conducting secret Santa is one of the easiest ways to get into the holiday spirit. Apart from bringing everyone together, it also pushes us to get creative and learn more about the person we are supposed to gift. We often turn to others for good secret santa gift ideas.
Nothing beats the joy of finding the perfect secret santa gift and seeing someone enjoy the fruits of your labor.
When you’re on a budget, secret santa gift ideas can be tough, especially if it is for a coworker you don’t know much about. It is a challenging but highly rewarding affair.
The best secret santa gift ideas for under $30
Fear not, we have compiled together a list of some of the best gifts you can get for under $30. Whether your coworker is a male, or female, or non-binary, these gifts will definitely perk up their holiday experience.

1. Winter touchscreen gloves
Finding the perfect winter glove can be tough. Another issue with winter gloves is that it is tough to use your phone or other devices while wearing them. Touchscreen gloves are a good secret santa gift as it allows you to type while keeping your hands warm. Last year, The New York Times tried over 20 different pairs before zeroing in on the Moshi digits Touchscreen gloves that are available on Amazon for under $30. The Moshi gloves dry faster and have better grip strength making it a top choice for secret santa ideas for work.
2. Wireless Charging Station
Let’s admit it. We all are constantly on our mobile devices, and mostly the only time we put them down is for charging. Even then, if we are at the office, sometimes, we have to share plug points with our colleagues. If you are looking for secret santa gift ideas that can be shared with others, you can find 4-in-1 chargers that allow you to recharge multiple devices on most ecommerce sites. Remember to do your research but there are quite a few for under $30, with some dedicated Apple charging stations that lets you plug in your iPads, Airpods, Apple Watches, and more.
3. Puzzle sets
Many people enjoy solving puzzles with their family during the holidays. If you know your friend or coworker is one such person, giving them a puzzle set is the ultimate Christmas gift you could offer. Along with improving their problem solving skills, your gift will help them enjoy family time and lower their stress levels.
The New York Puzzle Company has some picturesque 1,000 piece puzzles for under $30. If you don’t mind stretching your budget and would like to give something more artistic, you can check out Jiggy Puzzles.
4. Merlot Infused Coffee
Sure, it is wrong to drink at work. But if you can’t have wine, what is the next best thing? Merlot-infused coffee! The dark wine grape variety is used for blending and other varietal wines, and now even in coffee. The caffeine in the coffee will help you power through the stressful holiday work while the merlot infusion will soothe your frayed nerves. The coffee is available at Uncommongoods and Amazon.
An unexpected choice for sure, but your colleague will thank you for being their savior in plain clothes.
5. Spicy Honey
Is your coworker a foodie? Do they love making charcuterie boards and feeding all those around them? Then, one of the secret santa ideas for work is spicy honey. We would recommend the bees Knees Spicy Honey as it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5, and 3,700+ reviews on Amazon. It can also be used to spice up your evenings, as it promises to elevate your pizzas, chicken wings, ice cream,and more. It can also be bought online from Bushwick Kitchen.
While it is a perfect way to up your cooking game, the only drawback is that it gets sold out quickly. So, be sure to grab them before it sells out.
6. A Travel Mug
A mug that keeps drinks hot or cold for hours is the ideal travel companion. Insulated travel ensure that you are sufficiently hydrated and comfortable on long journeys. The perfect cup makes your day by maintaining the temperature of your latte, cold brew, hot coffee, or tea. There are range of mugs available online that are double-wall vacuum-insulated and pocket-friendly. If you don’t have time to fish for the perfect secret santa gift for your coworker, this is the one gift that can never go wrong. Most online stores have them for under $30, unless you want a large tumbler.
7. Ear Plugs
Concertgoers can vouch for the fact that often things get too loud and impact their experience. Finding the right earplug for your music-crazy colleague or friend can be a Christmas gift that will make their new year a happy one. With multiple concerts set to happen in 2023, including Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, you cannot go wrong with a pair of high-tech ear plugs. If you are wondering how to manage secret santa gifts for work, ear plugs can save you the headache.
The Loop Experience Ear Plugs For Concerts are known for filtering out loud noise without affecting the quality of the sound. Another great option is the Vibes High-Fidelity Earplugs. They are comfortable to wear for long periods and come in different sizes. You can use them at nightclubs, sporting events, and any loud work environments.
Other than these secret santa gift ideas for under $30, if you know the intended recipient well, you can also personalize the gift with a heartwarming note. The best gifts are ones that delight the giver, as much as the receiver.



