20+ Perfect Secret Santa Ideas for Work (All Under $50!)

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In many ways, your colleagues can be like a second family. You don’t get to choose them, but you have to accept them—or at least coexist peacefully enough to reach your targets and goals. So getting them gifts might be freighted with extra pressure.

But we get it! And, more importantly, we’re here to help. So, if you’ve been conscripted (maybe begrudgingly) into yet another workplace secret Santa gift exchange, have no fear. We promise to find you the perfect secret Santa gifts for work!

Whether you’re looking for touching secret Santa gifts for work, funny secret Santa gifts for coworkers, cute secret Santa gifts for work colleagues, or simply the best secret Santa gift ideas for coworkers, we’ve got you covered!

Work is already stressful enough, and we’re here to lighten that load. So, without further ado, here are the best secret Santa gift ideas for coworkers out!

PS: Need more Secret Santa inspiration? Check out our other guides:

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Secret Santa Ideas for Work Under $10

If you’re shopping on a budget like everyone seems to be these days, don’t worry; there are plenty of great coworker secret Santa presents for you to choose from!

And—silver lining—if you’re having a rough year, your coworkers probably are, too, so they can’t be anything but understanding if you don’t mortgage your house for the best work gift exchange ideas.

Besides, lucky for you, there are plenty of great secret Santa work gift ideas that don’t cost an arm and a leg and are sure to be a hit!

So, whether you’re looking for secret Santa ideas for work that are funny or just great gifts for your work’s secret Santa gift exchange, there are loads for you to choose from. Here are the best secret Santa gifts for coworkers under $10!


Funny Candle

If you and your colleagues are always in meetings—this might be a great gift for those with a more sensitive nose. Though it’s probably best not to reveal whom exactly you’re referring to (besides, everyone will have an idea pretty much immediately).

This hilarious candle comes with a funny label that explains that it’s for meetings, and that it—obvi—smells “better than your coworker’s morning breath” (note: coworker is singular here). You just have to select the scent and size and be ready for a laugh!

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via LavishandLitCandleCo on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Quarantine Journal

If you and your colleagues have had to suffer through an unending series of zoom calls (it can feel like water torture), this is a good gift to get! This great quarantine journal is sure to be appreciated and hopefully help them find some levity in these trying times.

This journal comes with “I SURVIVED ANOTHER ZOOM CALL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EMAIL” printed on it. And if that isn’t relatable, then I don’t know what is. They’re handmade and sure to show your guys’ solidarity through this pandemic!

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via iGodCrafts on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Potholder

If you’re shopping for someone who likes to bake—or maybe someone who you know doesn’t have a proper potholder (or could use a new one)— these custom potholders are the perfect gifts! Plus, maybe you’ll be rewarded with some baked goods.

You just have to choose between a wide array of designs and sayings. They’re all handmade, and it’s recommended that you fill them with another small gift—like cookie mix, spatulas, whisks, and etc. But that’s up to you! They’re great either way.

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via TheSpottedZebras on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Bestie Coworker Candle

If you were lucky enough to get your bestie for secret Santa, then this is the perfect gift! Especially if they’re the one person you can talk to about anyone and anything at the office. Because we all know those colleagues are often who get you through the day.

This hilarious bestie coworker candle comes with a, um, choice label that we probably shouldn’t write out. But it’s sure to get a laugh if you guys have that kind of sense of humor. You just have to specify the weight and scent, and you’re good to go!

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via AtoZCandles on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Diamond Pens

Some people feel like they’re basically royalty and just waiting to be knighted. And, if you’re shopping for one of these kinds of colleagues (we send our condolences), then these great diamond pens are sure to be a fitting addition to their workspace!

You can select between rose gold, silver, grey, white, and pink. And you can even choose to have a clear gift box added. Which, you know, saves you some trouble. And who knows? Maybe one day they will be royalty and they’ll owe you one.

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via ModParty on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Secret Santa Ideas for Work Under $20

So you haven’t found the perfect gift for your workplace’s secret Santa. And, while I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it stings a little, there are still loads of secret Santa gifts for coworkers for you to choose from! Because we get it.

Whether you’re looking for the absolute most perfect gift exchange ideas because you don’t want to be the talk of the office, or because you’re hoping it’ll pay dividends down the road, we want to help.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for secret Santa ideas for work that are funny, cute secret Santa presents for coworkers, touching secret Santa gifts for work colleagues, or simply the best secret Santa work gift ideas, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve scoured the Internet so you don’t have to. Here are the best secret Santa gifts for coworkers that cost a tad more but are sure to work the alchemy you want them to!


Funny Novelty Memo Pads

Anyone who has had to truly endure this past year will see how painfully relevant these funny novelty memo pads are. Though, honestly, they would probably be befitting regardless of whether or not there was a pandemic. Because work is like that sometimes.

These hilarious funny novelty memo pads come in a bundle of four. Each pad has a funny heading and accompanying illustration. They come with 50 sheets each. Pretty much anyone would be able to appreciate these gifts!

Click here to check prices and reviews.


Before Work / Because Work Coffee and Wine Set

This is a great gift to get someone who you know likes tying one off (because of work). Because, well, we often need a stiff cup of coffee reenter the world afterward. That’s what makes this hilarious before work and because work coffee and wine set perfect.

This hilarious coffee and wine set comes with a mug that has “Before Work” printed on it, and it comes with a wine tumbler that has “Because Work” printed on it. Though you can also drink wine out of the coffee mug if it’s going to be one of those days.

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via ShimmeringCreations4 on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Personalized Coffee Mug

If you’re shopping for a coworker and don’t really know what to get them, this is probably one of the few surefire bets. Because everyone could use another coffee mug, especially when the one at the office starts looking worst for wear.

This great personalized coffee mug allows you to select the size. You just have input the personalization you’d like to include. All you have to do is write in their name and you’ll get a touching gift that’ll, at the very least, make them feel recognized.

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via HustlerDesignz on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Funny Bottle Opener

Zoom meetings might very well become one of the defining traits of 2020. And, truthfully, anyone who’s had to subject themselves to more than one a day will understand the value behind this kind of gift.

This hilarious bottle opener comes with “Because Zoom meetings are exhausting” printed on it. Which, you know, is as good a reason as any to crack open a cold one. It’s not like they can smell it through webcam, anyway. Just select the design and bottle opener color.

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via MooseOliverDesigns on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Custom Photo Mouse Pad  

If you’re shopping for someone who has a boring mouse pad, or maybe someone who could stand to replace a once impressive mouse pad, you can’t go wrong with this one! Especially if you have pictures together or can get one of their personal favorites.

This great custom photo mouse pad is just what it sounds like. You just have to place the order, and then send them the picture you’d like included via an Etsy conversation. This is sure to be one of those gifts they never knew they wanted!

Click here to check price sand reviews.

Photo via AngelCityLasercraft on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Tricks to Appear Smarter in Meetings Calendar

This is a great gift to get someone only if you know they’ll appreciate the joke. And if they could use the help. Otherwise, this might come off as a bit, er, rude. But, still, most workers would love this tricks to appear smarter in meetings calendar.

This calendar isn’t like most. Instead of hanging it on your wall, it comes in cards you flip through. Each card has a new date and tip, like using Venn diagrams or converting percentages to fractions, that are all sure get them ahead and make an impression!

Click here to check prices and reviews.


Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer

Let’s be honest—everyone has, at some point, left a cup of coffee out and forgot about it, only to rediscover it and drink it like the junkies we are, even though it’s gone cold and mostly unpleasant. That’s when this great Mr. Coffee mug warmer is perfect!

If you’re shopping from someone who’s always being pulled away from their desk only to return to a room temperature cup of coffee (is it even civilization if we have to drink lukewarm coffee?), they’ll love this one. It warms up beverages in 2 minutes or less.

Click here to check prices and reviews.


Secret Santa Ideas for Work Under $50

So you still haven’t found what you’re looking for. Maybe this means you’re attempting some serious, er, brown-nosing (we’ve all done it), or maybe you’ve been designated your favorite coworker’s secret Santa and want to let them know how special they are to you—whatever the reason, we’re here to help with the absolute best secret Santa gifts for coworkers that are about as luxurious as it gets as far as secret Santa is concerned.

Because, as you’re surely aware, your work’s secret Santa isn’t something you can’t always take so lightly. Whether you’re looking for funny secret Santa gifts for coworkers, or just special secret Santa presents to distinguish yourself from the rest, here are our favorite secret Santa presents for coworkers that aren’t as gentle on your wallet but are sure to pay dividends!


Relax…Gift Box

This is a great gift to get someone who could use some time to, uh, unwind. Because, as you probably know, not everyone affords themselves those opportunities. And, truthfully, a gift like this relax…gift box will benefit them and everyone else in the end.

This great relax gift box is a bit more strongly worded than that, but that just makes it all the more affecting (and hilarious in our humble opinions). It comes with a lavender eye pillow, pillow spray, a candle, bath salts, and balm. It’s basically a spa in a box.

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via ErynsHomeAndGifts on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Personalized Vegan Leather Mouse Pad

This is a great gift to get someone who could use a little more, uh, class in their desk décor. Because, as much as it can suck, appearances do go a long way. This is particularly good for coworkers who are vegan but still find leather tempting.

This great personalized vegan leather mouse pad comes in a number of great designs—you just have to choose one. Then, you just have to input all of the personalization details, and you’ll receive a gift that’s sure to elevate their entire workspace!

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via CreativeByClair on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Personalized Name Plate for Desk

If you’re shopping for someone who has either just moved into a desk, or maybe who has yet to truly stake their claim on their workspace, this is a great gift to get. Because, after all, who doesn’t like seeing their name immortalized? That may be dramatic, but still.

This great personalized name plate comes in a wide variety of styles and designs, which is great because you can find something for pretty much anyone. You can choose to have just the name, or the name and their title. All you have to do is input the personalization.

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via ArtbloxShop on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

5-in-1 Tool Pen

Now, pens are already pretty rad. You can architect entire worlds with them and communicate things you never thought possible. So it’s fair if you thought they couldn’t possibly innovate on this tool anymore. But, still, you’re in for a surprise with!

This awesome 5-in-1 tool pen comes with five necessary tools that are sure to come in handy at some point! This pen hosts a screwdriver, a touch stylus for smart devices, a bubble level, a ruler, and a pen with a clip. They’ll never be unprepared with this one!

Click here to check prices and reviews.


All in One Organizational Vault

If you’re shopping for someone whose desk is simply not enough for all the stuff they have to store, or if you’re shopping for someone who’s always transporting things to and from work, this might be the gift they never knew they needed.

This great, compact organizational vault is made from 100% recycled paperboard. It’s one of the surest ways to help them establish some semblance of order at their workspace. And, best of all, it’s totally unobtrusive. Do them a favor and get them this already.

Click here to check prices and reviews.


Fish Keyboard Wrist Rest

If you’re shopping for someone who types a lot—though that’s probably everyone in your office—this might be perfect. Especially if their wrist health is declining and they like the sea. Though the latter isn’t a prerequisite—anyone would appreciate this!

This awesome fish keyboard wrist rest is perfect to support forearms and wrists after a long, arduous day of typing. The rest itself is hand sewn, and even if they don’t care about the sea, that’ll be an afterthought after they go home feeling renewed!

Click here to check prices and reviews.


Leather Canvas Shoulder Bag

This is a great gift to get someone who has yet to figure that whole work bag thing out. Because, while a book bag is definitely pragmatic, there’s something about a cross body bag—good messenger bags send, well, a certain message about your professionalism.

That’s what makes this leather canvas shoulder bag perfect. You just select the primary color you want it in, and you can even choose to have their initials embossed. This is the kind of gift that could help propel them up that corporate ladder!

Click here to check prices and reviews.

Photo via AaronLGstudio on Etsy. Click here to browse their shop!

Hopefully our list helped you find the perfect secret Santa idea for work under $50 you were looking for!

We’re convinced we’ve provided you with a diverse and comprehensive list of gifts. But, if by some miracle, we didn’t find exactly what you were looking for, hopefully we were at least able to point you in the right direction.

This is probably more important than you’d like to admit—I mean, how often is your own generosity showcased in this kind of spotlight? So it’s probably best to take it seriously to make a good impression. And, lucky for you, we’re all about making good impressions. So you can’t miss with these gifts!

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