Growing up, getting gifts from 'Santa' was always a highlight for most of us during Christmas. Gift exchanges have been a part of family traditions in most of our households. However with the concept of Secret Santa, gaining popularity every year before Christmas, especially in workplaces, we’re all re-creating the best childhood experience of gift exchanges through office secret Santa games.
Now, if you're wondering what this tradition of Secret Santa entails, you've come to the right place. Here's all you need to know.
What Is Secret Santa?
Secret Santa is a Christmas tradition in the United States in which members of a group or community are assigned a person to whom they present a gift at random. The gift giver's identity is to be kept a secret and should not be divulged.
History of Secret Santa
Secret Santa is predominantly a Western practice; it is considered that Larry Dean Stewart, a philanthropist, was the 'inventor' of the idea of delivering anonymous gifts during the holidays. According to USA TODAY, Stewart covertly distributed $100 bills to folks in Kansas for more than 25 years. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he also gave $25,000 to New Yorkers in the form of $100 bills. Stewart didn't come out as the 'Secret Santa' that everyone had been wondering about for so long until 2006.
Secret Santa Gifts For Colleagues
If you're playing Secret Santa at work and are confused about what to gift your colleagues, here are some options to consider. Remember, it’s not just the gift but the experience that matters. Office secret Santa is a great way to build work relations and enjoy with colleagues.
1. Loose Leaf Tea
Tea. Who doesn't enjoy a cup of tea? And, if given the chance, it can be an excellent gift—especially one intended to relieve tension.
Tea is a fantastic, lovely beverage. It's chock-full of antioxidants that help you stay energised and healthy.
Tea in loose leaf form is not only convenient, but also less expensive than other options.
There are numerous options available, all with different benefits.
• Sore throat? Ginger tea
• Boosting cognitive performance? Black tea
• Stress and anxiety relief? Peppermint tea
• Vitamin deficiency? Matcha green tea
2. Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Isn't that a little too boring for Secret Santa gift exchanges? Yes, most likely, but this one gift is an untapped gold mine.
Plastic bottles are not only bad for the environment, but they can also be unsanitary. As a result, steel water bottles are the best option.
There are numerous advantages to having one on hand.
• These steel water bottles are not only environmentally green, but they are also robust and can prevent hazardous carcinogens from leaking into your drinking water.
• Steel bottles keep your drink at the proper temperature. See how useful that is?
• It also comes in a variety of colours and styles. This is one of those ideal gifts that no one realised they needed until they got it.
3. Gift Cards
Are you unsure what to present your coworkers for the holiday gift exchange? We have a solution: gift cards.
Gift cards are a simple and convenient concept in that they provide a set amount of money for purchases.
Who wouldn't appreciate such a present?
• For starters, it saves you the effort of picking out gifts for your co-workers when you don't know what they like.
• And two, it's easier this way since they can use the gift cards to buy whatever they want.
• It gives you a sense of relief since you can provide them with something they like and are content with.
As a result, choose gift cards as a gift option.
4. Essential Oils
It's the 'happiest time of the year,' and nothing says holiday like a gift of fragrance or essence.
Also, what better technique to relieve tension than aromatherapy in the midst of a hectic schedule with all of you working relentlessly to achieve your objectives?
Exploring the world of essential oils is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Essential oils have a variety of health benefits in addition to pleasant aromas.
Essential oils like these can help you improve your mood, sleep better, and achieve balance in your life.
It's a nice gesture to be concerned about the well-being of your coworkers.
This will make a wonderful present for aromatherapy fans and those who need a little additional oomph in their day.
5. Succulents
These days, everyone is into Pinterest-inspired design. Succulents play an important role in this.
Nobody would be more ecstatic than that coworker who is constantly browsing the Pinterest décor feed but has never had the opportunity to purchase one.
Giving your co-worker a gorgeous succulent to keep on their desk will help them get a good start creating their fantasy office space. Furthermore, these small, stunning plants have incredible meanings and symbolism.
The cactus, for example, provides good luck and riches to its owners. Succulents like crassula are thought to provide good luck and shield the owner from negative energy in Feng Shui.
Secret Santa Gifts For Friends
Most of the time you're attuned to your friend's needs. Which makes it comparatively easier to gift them something. Here are some options:
1. Colouring Books
Stress, work, and difficulties can all be found on a regular day.
All a person needs to do sometimes is press the rewind button, let their inner child out, and be themselves.
Colouring books are a great way to do just that.
Putting colours to a sketch, whether you can draw or not, is something that everyone enjoys. These colouring books may or may not be popular anymore, but they still have a steady market.
Also, with the different varieties of colouring books available for the next holiday season, the genre is said to be expanding.
Colouring books for adults do exist, and they are rather popular.
If you're looking for a present for someone who has a creative side, colouring books are a great option.
A relaxing colouring book will undoubtedly find a home on their desk for when they need to unwind.
2. Perfumes
What is it that everyone turns to when they can't think of anything else to give?
Perfumes, to be precise.
The most underappreciated are perfumes. They literally fit into our 'go-to' category, as we wear perfume practically every day unless we want to smell unpleasant.
Nobody can say no to a nice old bottle of perfume, after all.
What's not to enjoy, right?
They have a pleasant scent, may be worn every day, and are reasonably priced.
Perfumes are also more 'gift-worthy' than other options because they show that you care about your Secret Santa recipient.
Perfumes, with their exquisite packaging and aromas, signal that the recipient is deserving of the luxury.
3. Self-Care Set
Regardless of the season, it is necessary to practise some self-care. However, with so much work on our plates, we often neglect our regular self-care regimen.
During the holidays, however, the situation changes since people have more time to focus on themselves.
As a result, a self-care kit makes for a nice present.
Giving someone a present that encourages them to spend some 'me' time and take adequate care of themselves is incredibly thoughtful.
4. Ugly Christmas Sweater
It's evident that ugly Christmas sweaters are the spirit of the holiday season, as the song 'Ugly Christmas Sweater' says 'put your ugly Christmas sweater on.'
Everyone wants to have a good time over the holidays, and these sweaters are a festive tradition that everyone enjoys.
The more daring, the better. Choose a statement piece with a unique pattern that you wouldn't ordinarily wear.
The possibilities are unlimited, and each one appears to be funnier and uglier than the one before it.
Also, you'll be in your friend's thoughts whenever they see that ugly, fun sweater in their closet. What's more, you can go ahead and get yourself an identical one to twin it out.
5. Headphones
A set of headphones is the ideal present for your coworkers who can't live without music or who enjoy video games.
They will be eternally grateful to you for assisting them in disconnecting from the outside world.
You can also rest assured that it will be used rather than sitting in a dusty corner of the desk.
Nobody appreciates how important a decent pair of headphones is until they have them. As a result, assist them.
Newer versions are always available on the market. Be the finest secret Santa for your music and gamer buddies by giving them the most recent ones.
Secret Santa Gifts For Family
Nothing speaks of your love for family than giving them something they can use in their daily life. Here are some gifts that would be ideal:
1. French Press
Anyone for a cup of coffee?
How many times has this beverage made it easier for you to sit through long hours of work?
Coffee is frequently the only thing that gets me through the day. And I'm confident that many of your family members feel the same way.
Giving someone a french press as a gift is a great way to show them how to brew nice coffee.
It appears to be elegant. It has a refined air to it.
It also contains the word 'french'. It's not only elegant, but it's also simple.
What more could one want for? It's simple, it saves time, and it doesn't require great pouring technique.
French presses are unquestionably among the best gifts.
Not only will this inspire a coffee enthusiast to write odes to you, but you'll also be able to have some sublime coffee every now and then.
2. Netflix Subscription
Your movie-obsessed family member would adore you for this.
Who doesn't appreciate a free subscription to a whole new universe of entertainment? Anyone who receives this present will undoubtedly be grateful (and would stop viewing stuff using your account)!
3. Books
A great book as a gift will be both nostalgic and refreshing in this day of everything getting digital.
Furthermore, if your Secret Santa receiver is a bookworm, you can't go wrong with the latest bestseller as a present.
A book makes a great holiday present since you can curl up with it and a cup of cocoa.
Books are also easy to get by, are portable, and may spark both enjoyable and intriguing talks.
4. Scarves
The ideal present for the fashionista in your life.
These days, scarves are all the rage. They're adaptable and can be worn practically everywhere.
So, offer a new element to your fashionista family member's wardrobe so they may style it with all of their fantastic outfits. I guarantee they'll enjoy it.
Scarves are also essential during the winter months, as they are seasonal and work from December to April.
Look for one that is stylish, inexpensive, warm, and contributes to the holiday spirit.
5. Bonsai Tree
Bonsai trees are suitable for every occasion. It's what we refer to as a one-of-a-kind present.
• Nothing compares to the beauty of a bonsai tree. It is easy to maintain and has the ability to outgrow humans due to its long lifespan. There are still centuries-old bonsai trees to be found.
• It's impossible to outgrow, and because of its long life, you may decorate it like a Christmas tree every year.
• It's also available in a range of species. There are also indoor and outdoor bonsai trees to pick from, with the latter producing tasty fruit.
• With environmental challenges at an all-time high, a gift from nature signifies hope.
Handmade Secret Santa Gift Options
If you want to add a little personalised touch to your secret Santa gifts, here are some handmade alternatives:
• Handmade Jute Coasters
• Eggless Vanilla Cupcakes
• DIY Homemade Decor Lamp
• Stained Glass Painting
• Wall Hangings
In Conclusion
Before you know it, Christmas will be here. So, now that you have a lengthy list of the best secret Santa gifts, pick one and begin wrapping your presents.
Choose your gifts carefully and be the finest secret Santa your co-workers, friends, and family have ever seen.