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40 Secret Santa gift ideas for every type of person you know
The perfect Secret Santa gift doesn't exist — or does it? With the holidays just a few weeks away, chances are your calendar is probably booking up quickly with invites to holiday parties, festive dinners and Christmas drinks. And one festive celebration that's too fun to overlook is the Secret Santa gift exchange. But where to start?
The key to nailing the perfect Secret Santa gift is to think about your giftee's hobbies and interests. Consider what they like to do in their free time and lean into that as you decide what they might like. Bookworms might enjoy a holder for their Kindle. If they're an outdoorsy person, perhaps they'd benefit from a rechargeable hand warmer or a classic beanie. Or if they like to cook, why not surprise them with a pack of well-reviewed Japanese barbecue sauces or a Wagyu beef tallow spray that'll make everything they cook taste like something from a restaurant?
Keep in mind also that the best Secret Santa gifts are often something that your giftee might not think to buy for themselves. That usually means getting them something that feels slightly elevated or splurgier than they usually treat themselves to. Even luxury brands like Chanel, Sandy Liang and even Apple carry relatively affordable items that would make superior Secret Santa gifts for the right person.
So whether you're shopping for your sister who's always cold, your coffee-loving father-in-law, a Swiftie or Charli fan, browse through some of our very favorite Secret Santa gift ideas below for every type of person you know.
It can be tiring to hold an e-reader for long reading sessions, but the Strapsicle holder can help prevent hand cramps. Each set comes with two silicone straps that crisscross on the back on an e-reader, providing extra support to help hold up a Kindle or other reading device. The straps come in a wide variety of colors, and they’re easy to take on and off as needed. It would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who has an e-reader!
Sometimes “one more chapter” can find you reading late into the night, and this handy book light will make sure book lovers don’t miss a word of their latest novel. The rechargeable light sits around your neck as you read, and there are LEDs on both ends that can be angled toward your book or e-reader. The gadget offers three light hues and six brightness levels, and it delivers a narrow field of light that won’t bother a partner when you’re reading in bed.
Surprise the beauty lover on your list with a luxurious Chanel beauty product that she might not splurge on for herself. This multi-use Chanel highlighter stick will soon become an essential in her beauty arsenal.
Use it to create a dewy, glowing complexion that'll last the entire day. (In fact, I wore this glow stick on my own wedding and it lasted through rain, sun and everything in between).
If you’re shopping for someone who likes to spend a lot of time outside, we recommend a pair of rechargeable hand warmers like these from Ocoopa. These small pocket-sized heaters are long-lasting and rechargeable, and can even recharge your phone on-the-go too, if necessary. They have three heat settings, up to 131-degree Fahrenheit.
It might be winter but that doesn't mean you have to ditch your sandals. These indoor and outdoor slippers are a collaboration between designer Sandy Liang and SUBU, a Japanese brand that's famous for these so-called "winter sandals" that the brand calls "a utilitarian essential" that can be worn inside or outside, and protect against rain and cold weather.
The collab includes Liang's signature balletcore aesthetic with bows, embroidered strawberries and high-fem colors like red and pink. Get them in three colorways in sizes 00 to 4.
Fuel their Starbucks addiction with one of these realistic miniature iced coffee keychains. Choose from classic Starbucks flavors like Pumpkin Spice Latte and a Shaken Espresso or message the sellers for a custom creation if your favorite Matcha Green Tea Latte is missing from the lineup.
Bachan's barbecue sauces bring the flavors of Japanese yakitori and grilling to your own kitchen. In this three pack you'll get the brand's bestselling flavors: Original, Yuzu, and Hot & Spicy. It's also Amazon's No. 1 bestselling BBQ sauce — just saying.
"My husband tried this at a restaurant and had to have it," wrote one reviewer. "It is very good. It's not thick like other barbecue sauces are. The honey version I feel is similar to a teriyaki barbecue sauce. The original has a soy sauce Ginger note to it. Both are very good and are now pantry essentials in my household."
Jewelry that's made for fidgeting? Say no more. This spinner ring is made for folks who can't seem to keep their hands still. It's made with copper and brass rings that glide through your fingers, creating a soothing sensation that helps melt away stress and worries.
This limited-edition book-shaped advent calendar includes 31 individually wrapped pieces of prestige Venchi chocolates, including the Venchi Pistachio Cremino that could ruin all other chocolate for you because it's so delicious.
With warm notes of pink pepper, incense, wool blanket, patchouli and blond wood, this candle is just about as comforting as pulling on your favorite wooly sweater.
These days many people reach for modern solutions to insomnia like supplements and special ASMR playlists, but there's a simple old-school solution we recommend: the original Dohm Classic sound machine, which has been helping lull people to sleep since 1962. Rather than playing white noise sounds on a digital loop, this machine makes white noise the old fashioned way: using a real fan. But don't worry — the fan creates white noise without producing chilly air.
Relieve tension and melt away stress with Amazon's No. 1 best-selling foot massager. This deep-kneading shiatsu foot massager has two adjustable intensity levels and three massage modes that boost the blood circulation and reduce muscle stiffness in your soles and feet. The warmth feature can be turned on or off.
This cheery mug is sure to put a smile on your recipient’s face every time they use it. The ceramic mug holds 12 ounces of their favorite beverage—perfect for a late-night reading session with a cup of tea—and it reads “Book Person” in colorful letters. There’s also a smiley face on the inside of the lip. Plus, the mug is both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, making it easy to care for.
The Renpho eye massager is a powerful addition to anyone's self-care routine, but especially those who've been under a lot of stress. It's an eye mask and massager that provides targeted relief for migraines and eye strain. It offers heat, vibration, massage, compression, and even music to help provide a bit of sensory deprivation for those who need it.
It secures to your face with an adjustable strap, while the mask itself it surrounded by cushioned fabric and gently massages your temples.
Because sometimes all you need to do to ease your anxiety is to make a list and check it twice. At 9-by-7 inches, this mini lined and perforated notebook from Ban.do is the perfect size to keep on your desk or to toss into your bag when you're on-the-go. It has a double-side pocket page, special centerfold pages and metal wire-o binding to keep it all together.
They can excitedly celebrate their new home with a personalized return address stamp for all of their outgoing postage. This Etsy seller allows you to choose a custom address design and whether you want a commemorative wooden block stamp with an ink pad, or a modern self-inking style. It's also a thoughtful gift for newlyweds or first-time homeowners!
Whether they're moving out of the house they've been in for 30 years or are first-time homeowners who are eager to kickoff homeownership. Help them make their move feel extra special with a personalized watercolor painting of their home that'll take pride of place when displayed. Etsy seller CasaBellaPortraits operates out of Colorado, shipping these customized digital watercolor prints for all types of occasions, as gifts for first-time homeowners to mementos of childhood homes.
This portable watercolor paint set is a therapeutic way to practice their craft when they're on the go. This clever field kit set includes a 12 color half-pan with brush, mixing palette, bottle and two clip-on water pots. It's everything you need to paint on the go and outside.
Ditch the Pam nonstick spray and reach for this Wagyu beef tallow spray when you need a bit of nonstick magic. South Chicago Packing has made wagyu beef tallow in a tub for a while, but this spray option is great for light application with big flavor results. Most reviewers use the spray for searing steaks, infusing briskets, frying eggs or roasting veggies. The brand itself recommends substituting Wagyu beef tallow in place of canola oil in brownies. Consider us intrigued.
"I’ve used the Chicago meat company wagyu in a canister for a long time. But having it in a spray form? Wow. So awesome," wrote one five-star reviewer. "It imparts just the right amount of flavor and of course provides a fantastic non stick surface. I use in pans and on grill grates."
This nifty gadget has two unique uses. It can be used a bit like an old-school headphone splitter, sharing audio between two sets of wireless headphones. It can also be used to Bluetooth connect audio to pretty much any device with a standard 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. Use it on airplanes to connect AirPods to in-flight entertainment, at gyms and more.
These personalized felted miniature pets are a great gift for the person with a furry friend. Pass along a detailed photo of their four-legged friend, choose a preferred collar color and whether you want the miniature to come in a commemorative basket or jar.
A power bank can be a lifesaver for a busy person. Use it to charge phones, tablets, e-readers, headphones and much more. This one by Anker has over 20,000mAh power reserve and provides over four full charges for most smartphones and nearly two full charges for tablets.
Give the gift of a beanie with over 100,000 five-star reviews. This Carhartt knit cuffed beanie is designed for warmth and comfort. It includes a sewn Carhartt label on the front cuff and is made with a stretchable rib-knit construction. It comes in over 35 colors, as well.
These gender-neutral gloves are touch screen compatible, water resistant and windproof. Basically they're perfect for any type of winter day you may encounter.
A plush blanket that's made with a soft faux fur on one side with a reversible side that's smooth and lustrous — the perfect gift for the person who's missing the tiny comforts of home.
You can be sure they're drinking enough water when they have one of these Stanley Quencher insulated mugs. These 40-ounce containers come in 20 different stylish colors, and come with a lid and straw.
Goodbye shower shivers, hello toasty towels thanks to this towel warmer. It will keep you toasty warm during the cold months by quickly heating up towels, PJs, blankets and bathrobes for a spa-like treat that'll make you forget all about winter's chill.
Many warmers only fit one towel at a time, but the this one is extra-large so it can accommodate two oversized towels. It's also quick — it starts warming up in 60 seconds and reaches peak heat in about six minutes.
These “milky” hot springs bath salts are the next best thing to soaking in an actual steamy Japanese onsen. They aren’t perfumes or bubble baths, but instead are minerals designed to promote circulation and warmth — and you can find this brand in most Japanese drugstores. Many reviewers say that these bath salts leave their “skin soft” and that they’re good for “aches and pains.”
They might look silly, but these claw-like leaf scoops are an absolute time saver when it comes to yard work. Just ask one of the nearly 4,000 reviewers on Amazon who describe it as a "great tool" and "worth the purchase."
The oversized scoopers can be used to grab leaves and other debris quickly and easily, protecting your hands and fingers from dirt, mud and sharp, spiky objects.
It also offers peace of mind against creatures that might be hiding under the leaves, as this reviewer put it: "I have been so worried about my mom scooping leaves and accidentally scooping up a snake," they wrote in their review. "We have had a bad incident in the past where she picked up leaves and my dad could see a copperhead laying across her chest on the pile of leaves. I have been paranoid for her ever since. She loves these and says her work is cut by half due to the amount she can pick up at a time."
When the power goes out, be ready with this combination nightlight that converts into an emergency flashlight when you need it.
These ones from Sunbeam are made with a color-changing LED light that automatically turns on from dusk to dawn for everyday use or can be set to only come on with motion. During power failures, they'll shine bright white and can be removed from the outlet and used as a portable flashlight. With a long life LED, this night light will outshine the rest.
"The thing that makes this plug in light so great is that when power goes out, it stays on," said a happy reviewer. "You can also use it as a flashlight or task light, no batteries needed! I wish I bought these years ago! They are super handy. No more searching around for a flashlight when the power goes out, no more worrying about batteries."
Never loses your phone, keys, luggage or wallet again with a pack of Apple AirTags. The Bluetooth connectivity allows you to keep tabs on all of your most prized possessions and make it easy to find them when they're misplaced.
This unique Bluetooth technology means that AirTags are useful for more than just tracking lost luggage — though I'd argue that's probably one of the best use cases for them. Many reviewers place an AirTag on their keys so they don't lose them. There are AirTag pet collar holders that can be used to keep tabs on where your four-legged friend has wandered off to. Some parents have even been known to use AirTag wristbands and AirTag pinnable holders to keep tabs on their children or even aging, elderly relatives.
There are some cleaning problems that just can't seem to be, well, hacked. Like pet fur, and the endless amounts of lint roller refills you go through when you have a four-legged friend living with you.
That is, until we discovered the Chom Chom, a portable pet hair remover and reusable lint roller that's beloved (and we mean absolutely obsessed over) by pet owners. This tiny tool is able to remove cat and dog fur from furniture, bedding, couches, carpet and rugs in just a few quick strokes in a way that not even the best vacuum can tackle.
To use the Chom Chom, simply roll it back and forth a few times across the fur-covered fabric in question. Most hair will be collected on a single swipe, but more stubborn hair might take a few additional strokes. Once the chamber is full of pet hair, simply empty it out or, as one user recommends, take a vacuum attachment to it to clear it all out easily.
This travel cosmetic bag comes with compartments and organizational slots so she can keep track of everything she needs while she's on the go.
What's especially nice about the design of this bag is that it's waterproof (no spilled liquids will damage clothing!) and it can open flat so you can see everything at one glance. It even has an easy-to-clean brush bag so you can keep your foundation, bronzer and eye makeup brushes clean and separate from everything else.
"Great size for holding creams, foundations, powders and brushes without crowding," according to one reviewer. "Love that it opens up on the counter so I can see everything inside and pockets/slots to keep things organized."
Choose from Medium, Large and Extra Large sizes.
When you have little kids around, it's inevitable you'll end up with a spill or two eventually. Make sure your car, sofa and carpet look good as new afterward with the Bissell Little Green portable carpet cleaner, which removes spots and stains by lifting away messes from carpets, upholstery, car interiors and more. It has a strong spray and suction design that helps you target stuck-in stains and work them out.
More than 10,000 reviews on Walmart are obsessed with this stain-fighting tool, too.
"After months of my kids trashing my car and spilling smoothies, milk, lemonade, etc., the backseats in my car looked awful," said one parent. "I used this carpet cleaner for my seats and, wow, the difference speaks for itself."
Never worry about dropping your phone, keys, wallet, or a stray French fry down between your car seat cushions ever again with the as-seen-on-TV Drop Stop. These seat gap fillers attaches to the seat belt catch via built in slots and provide coverage in front of, surrounding and behind seat belt catch.
Reviewers say it's a simple and smart gift for someone who drives a lot. "This is one of those products that you can't help but look at and think, 'Why didn't I come up with that?!?'"
Each order comes with two seat belt gaps — one for the driver's side and one for the passenger side.
I.E. the glitter freckles that Taylor Swift was spotted wearing earlier this year. These glitter freckle speckles are easy to apply: just add the patch, pat them on and peel to reveal instant glam. To remove, use a gentle oil-based cleanser.
"Had to get these for my teenager after I saw Taylor Swift wearing them," wrote one happy reviewer. "They are so pretty! She just loved them and they looked beautiful for her homecoming dance."
For the person who's listening to Charli on repeat. Available in black or brat green in sizes S to XXL.
You never know when you'll need some roadside assistance. This car jumpstart kit comes with the essentials you'll need in an emergency: emergency triangle, booster cables, flash light, first aid kit, gloves, poncho, power bank, SOS banner, tire inflator and gauge, batteries and more.
"This really is a well-coordinated bag for any emergency," said one five-star reviewer. "I will feel confident knowing that this useful safety kit is always in my car and available in any situation."
Digital cameras are a novelty to teens who've only grown up with taking photos on their smartphone. This inexpensive point and shoot has a 16-times digial zoom with a 2.4-inch LCD screen to view their favorite picks.
Sometimes you just want to stay wrapped up in a blanket all day, and on those days you'll want to reach for a Hideout Hoodie from Big Blanket Co. These massively oversized hoodies are basically blankets disguised as clothing, but they include a few cozy extras like sherpa lining, a built-in eye mask, zippered kangaroo pouch and cuffed sleeve with thumb holes for optimal lounging.