Secret Santa gift ideas by budget
Good Secret Santa gifts at £5, £10 and £20 are small, useful and not personal to one taste, like a good pair of socks, a paperback or a mug and hot chocolate.
Below are types of gift for each budget, with no brands or shops, so you can pick one wherever you buy. Not drawn names yet? The free Secret Santa generator does it with no email and no sign-up, and Draw names picks names for anything else.
Every Christmas 2026 date, including the last posting days, is on our Christmas dates page.
What can I get for under £5?
At £5, pick one small thing that gets used up or used every day.
- A good pair of socks
- A notebook and pen
- Hot chocolate sachets or a bar of chocolate
- A pack of playing cards
- A small plant or a packet of seeds
- A box of nice teabags
What can I get for under £10?
At £10 there is room for one nicer version of an everyday thing, or two small things that go together.
- A mug and hot chocolate
- A paperback
- A puzzle book and a pencil
- A pair of warm gloves or a hat
- A candle in a plain scent
- A set of coasters or a tea towel
What can I get for under £20?
At £20, choose something people keep: a better version of a thing they would not buy for themselves.
- A small board game or card game for the family
- A soft throw or a pair of slippers
- A plant in a nice pot
- A hardback book or a recipe book
- A jigsaw
- A reusable water bottle or travel cup
What can I get for £25?
£25 is enough for one good thing rather than several small ones. Keep it useful, and easy to pass on if it misses.
- A good umbrella
- A hot water bottle with a knitted cover
- A flask and a lunch box
- A bird feeder and a bag of seed
- A print of a favourite place in a simple frame
- A cinema or café voucher, if your group is happy with vouchers
If your group's budget is £25, agree whether that is a limit or a target, so nobody feels awkward on the day.
What do you get someone you barely know?
Go for something useful that suits almost anyone and says nothing about them.
- A good pair of socks
- A notebook and pen
- A mug and hot chocolate
- A pack of playing cards
- A small plant
What are good Secret Santa gifts for children?
Pick something to do rather than something to keep on a shelf, and check it suits their age.
- A colouring book and pencils
- A paperback for their reading age
- A card game
- Modelling clay or a craft kit
- A torch for reading under the covers
What works for a family draw?
In a family draw, one shared treat or something the person can use over Christmas goes down well.
- A game the whole house can play
- A jigsaw for the days after Christmas
- A film-night bundle: popcorn kernels and hot chocolate
- Cosy socks for everyone in the household
- A photo of the family in a simple frame
What should you avoid?
- Anything about someone's body, weight, age or looks.
- Jokes that only work if you know the person well.
- Strong scents, or food if you do not know about allergies.
- Alcohol, unless you know the person drinks and the draw is adults only.
- Going over the budget. It makes everyone else's gift look small.
When the group is ready, draw the names for free, or read how to do Secret Santa with your family.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal Secret Santa budget?
Whatever your group agrees. £5, £10 and £20 are the budgets people search for most, so they are a good place to start. Agree the amount before anyone draws a name, and stick to it.
Should we share wish lists?
It helps, especially with a family where people do not see each other often. Keep it to two or three ideas within the budget. The free Secret Santa generator lets each person add a short wish list for whoever draws them.
What if I draw someone I do not know?
Choose something useful that suits almost anyone, such as a good pair of socks, a notebook and pen or a mug and hot chocolate. If the group shares wish lists, start there.
When should you post a Secret Santa present so it arrives before Christmas?
Royal Mail's last recommended posting dates for Christmas 2026 are Friday 18 December for 2nd Class, Monday 21 December for 1st Class and Tracked 24, and Wednesday 23 December for Special Delivery Guaranteed. Royal Mail says these dates can change, so check before you post. If your family swaps by post, set your draw date early enough to leave time to shop and send.
Sources
- Royal Mail, Christmas last posting dates: www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates (read 11 November 2026)
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