wanted.fun

The most wanted Secret Santa gifts

Updated November 2026 · 12 picks

Secret Santa is harder than it looks. You've drawn a name, you've got a modest budget, and you might have spoken to this person twice. The goal is something they'd be happy to have, even if they don't know you at all.

Unlike white elephant, you're buying for one specific person, so take a look around. A quick check of their desk or a casual question to a friend can steer you a lot better than guessing.

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Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle

Wanted for Solving the sip-or-swig debate with one lid.

An insulated bottle with a built-in straw and a wide opening for big gulps. It comes in a long list of colors and is the kind of everyday upgrade people use until the paint wears off.

Why it's here Slightly above the typical budget at some offices, but it's very likely to get used. Check your group's limit.

Let it slide if They're fiercely loyal to the giant cup with the handle.

Moleskine Classic Hardcover Notebook

Wanted for Promising a fresh start nobody will fully follow through on.

A classic notebook with a smooth page and a nice, simple cover. It's a safe, tasteful gift for a coworker or a writer, especially when you've got no idea what else they like.

Why it's here Works for nearly anybody with a desk job, even if you've never spoken to them.

Let it slide if They take every note on an iPad.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm Multipack

Wanted for Vanishing from purses, pockets, and desk drawers on a regular basis.

A pack of the classic beeswax lip balm in a few different flavors. It's a safe, cheap stocking stuffer that nobody minds getting and everybody eventually loses.

Why it's here Cheap, useful, and nobody's ever offended by a lip balm. Add it to another small gift if there's room in the budget.

Let it slide if You're looking for something with a little more wow.

Codenames Board Game

Wanted for Making smart friends yell single words at each other.

A team word game that's simple to teach and works best with four or more. It's one of the most dependable party games around, especially with people who don't usually play board games.

Let it slide if They usually play as just two people. Look at Codenames: Duet instead.

TRUFF Original Hot Sauce

Wanted for Putting truffle on things that didn't ask for it.

A black truffle hot sauce in a bottle that looks more like a cologne. It's an easy upgrade from everyday hot sauce, and it looks expensive enough to feel like a real present.

Let it slide if They think truffle tastes like gasoline. Some people do.

Exploding Kittens Card Game

Wanted for Turning a polite family evening into open betrayal.

A fast, silly card game that takes about a minute to teach and fifteen minutes to play. It works across ages, which makes it one of the safest bets for a mixed crowd.

Let it slide if They want a deep strategy game. This one is proudly not that.

Blue Q Funny Socks

Wanted for Saying unprintable things from inside a nice shoe.

Bold socks printed with cheeky phrases for just about every personality. They're well made, come in plenty of designs, and they're an easy stocking stuffer you can tailor to the person.

Let it slide if Read the print before you give them to your mother-in-law.

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

Wanted for Making tiny waffles that nobody needs but everybody wants.

A small, cheap waffle iron that comes in cheerful colors and takes up almost no room. It's perfect for dorm rooms and first apartments, and also for the person who finds it hilarious.

Let it slide if They've got no spare kitchen space at all.

Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat

Wanted for Looking equally at home on a job site and in a coffee shop.

A simple, warm, stretchy beanie with a small logo patch that's stayed popular for decades. It comes in plenty of colors, fits nearly everybody, and costs little enough for a stocking.

Let it slide if They live somewhere that doesn't really do winter.

Archie McPhee Yodeling Pickle

Wanted for Yodeling. It's a pickle. It yodels. That's the entire case.

Press the button and a plastic pickle yodels at you. It serves no purpose at all, which is why it gets fought over at gift exchanges and lives on someone's desk for years.

Let it slide if The recipient shares a small office with anyone who values silence.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Wanted for Keeping people up until 3 a.m. for one more chapter.

A funny, propulsive science-fiction novel about a lone astronaut trying to save Earth. It's one of the easiest books to recommend to nearly anyone, including people who 'don't read sci-fi'.

Let it slide if They've already read it. Most sci-fi fans have.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Wanted for Occupying nightstands everywhere with no sign of stopping.

An overnight lip treatment in a cute little pot that comes in several flavors. It's a beauty counter favorite at a price that works well for a stocking stuffer or small gift.

Let it slide if They have a lip balm routine they won't hear a word against.

How to pull off Secret Santa

  • Spy a little. Look at their desk, their mug, or the stickers on their laptop.
  • Ask a friend of theirs. It's the fastest way to find out what they like.
  • Add a nice card, and keep the secret. Half the fun is keeping them guessing.

Questions people ask

How much should you spend on Secret Santa?

Whatever your group agrees on, often around $15–$30. If nobody's set a limit, suggest one. It avoids awkward moments and keeps the fun fair for everyone.

What's a good Secret Santa gift if I don't know the person?

Choose something simple and popular: hot sauce, a good notebook, a lip balm set, or a card game. All of them are friendly without being personal.

What's a funny Secret Santa gift for work?

Try the Yodeling Pickle or a pair of funny socks with a work-friendly message. Do read the print first, since some Blue Q socks are a bit rude for the office.