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You drew a name. You’ve spoken to this person maybe four times, twice about the printer. The budget is $20 or $25, and the gift will be opened in front of the whole team.
The sweet spot is something useful at a desk, a little bit fun, and impossible to misread. Below are picks that hit that, plus a short list of things to avoid unless you enjoy HR meetings.
We picked everything with a $20 to $25 budget in mind, but we don’t track live prices and they change daily, so check the price before you buy.
How we pick
- Office-safe first. Nothing that could embarrass the person opening it in front of their manager.
- Useful at a desk or on a commute. People in their first jobs tend to appreciate practical.
- Works for someone you barely know. No guessing at sizes, scents or diets.
- Honest about the catch. Each pick says who should skip it.
- No fake testing. We haven’t hands-on tested every item here. Picks are based on product listings, what each item is designed to do, and patterns in buyer reviews. Brands can’t pay for a spot.
Quick compare
| Pick | Best for | Heads-up |
|---|---|---|
| Anker Nano Charger (20W) | Anyone with a USB-C phone | No cable in the box |
| Lamicall adjustable phone stand | Video-call and desk people | Very simple; that’s the point |
| Mug warmer | Coffee that goes cold during meetings | Needs a free outlet |
| Bananagrams | Teams that do lunch games | Better as a team gift than a solo one |
| Moleskine pocket notebook | List-makers and planners | Pocket size, not a big journal |
| Rechargeable hand warmer | Cold offices, cold commutes | Charge it before wrapping |
| Artificial succulents set | Desk decor, zero care | Fake plants are a matter of taste |
| Logitech Pebble mouse | Laptop-at-the-desk people | Check the budget on the day |
| Cable clips | Desks with cable chaos | Very low-key gift |
| Post-it Super Sticky Notes | Everyone, honestly | Pair with something fun |
The picks
1. Anker Nano Charger (20W)
A tiny charger that fits in a pocket or desk drawer. The Anker Nano Charger (20W) is a single-port USB-C brick for phones and small devices. It doesn’t come with a cable, and Anker makes bigger Nano models if you want more power.
Why it’s here: everyone has “the charger that stays at the office” problem. This solves it.
Skip it if: they use a phone without USB-C and you don’t want to add a cable (you’ll need one either way, since none is included). A quick look at their phone at lunch tells you which.
2. Lamicall adjustable phone stand
A simple adjustable aluminum stand that holds a phone at an angle you can see. Handy for video calls, two-factor codes and watching a recipe while they reheat lunch.
Why it’s here: it’s cheap, neat on a desk, and gets used daily.
Skip it if: their desk is already a museum of phone stands.
3. Mug warmer
A small warming plate that keeps a mug of coffee or tea warm. Pick a model whose listing mentions an automatic shut-off. VOBAGA is a common budget brand, and one review found its warmer switches itself off after four hours. Remind them to switch it off at the end of the day anyway. Expect warm, not piping hot.
Why it’s here: meetings run long, and lukewarm coffee is a small daily sadness.
Skip it if: their office restricts personal appliances, or they drink iced coffee year-round.
4. Bananagrams
A fast word game in a zip-up pouch. Players build their own crossword grids at the same time, so nobody sits around waiting for a turn. It’s an easy lunch-break game.
Why it’s here: it’s fun, it’s quick, and it’s very hard to be offended by.
Skip it if: your team never takes a lunch break together. Then it’s a solo puzzle at best.
5. Moleskine Classic pocket notebook
A small hardcover notebook (the pocket size is 3.5 x 5.5 in) with rounded corners, an elastic closure and a ribbon bookmark. Good for to-do lists, meeting notes, and “ideas I’ll definitely do one day.”
Why it’s here: it feels a step up from office supplies without being personal.
Skip it if: they do everything on their phone and laptop. Then it’ll sit there looking nice.
6. Rechargeable hand warmer
A pocket-size, USB-rechargeable warmer. Useful for freezing offices, cold commutes and outdoor lunch walks. Some double as a small power bank; check the listing. OCOOPA is a well-known brand here and says its products carry UL certification; whatever you buy, look for a recognized safety certification in the listing.
Why it’s here: a December gift that’s actually useful in December.
Skip it if: you’re in a warm-weather office, or the person sits right under the heater.
7. Artificial succulents set
A few small fake succulents in pots. They make a desk look less like a rental car.
Why it’s here: desk decor with zero care, so nobody’s watering anything over the holidays.
Skip it if: they already keep real plants at the office. Plant people often find fake ones a bit sad.
8. Logitech Pebble wireless mouse
A slim, quiet wireless mouse that’s easy to toss in a laptop bag. The current version is the Pebble Mouse 2 M350s; Logitech says its Silent Touch Technology removes 90% of click noise. It’s a common upgrade for people working off a laptop trackpad all day.
Why it’s here: a real productivity upgrade that fits a Secret Santa budget, when it’s on the right side of $25. Its price moves around and depends on the color, so check before you commit.
Skip it if: they already use a mouse they love, or they’re picky about ergonomics.
9. Cable clips
Little adhesive clips that hold charging cables at the edge of a desk so they stop sliding onto the floor.
Why it’s here: a tiny fix for an annoying daily problem.
Skip it if: your office has hot desks; they can’t stick things to a shared desk. On its own it’s a small gift, so bundle it.
10. Post-it Super Sticky Notes
The sticky notes 3M makes for walls and other vertical surfaces, like monitors and whiteboards. Bright colors make them feel less like supply-closet loot.
Why it’s here: universally useful. Bundle with cable clips and a nice pen and you have a “desk upgrade kit.”
Skip it if: your office already hands these out by the box. Then the bundle needs another hero item.
The “desk upgrade kit” bundle
If one $20 item feels thin, build a mini kit: cable clips, a pack of colorful sticky notes, and a good pen, in a small box with a note. It looks considered, it’s useful, and it works for literally anyone with a desk.
What to avoid in a coworker Secret Santa
- Anything about bodies. Fitness gear, diet books, skincare. Even well-meant, it can land badly.
- Scented stuff. Candles, lotions and sprays can trigger allergies and scent sensitivities, and many offices ban candles anyway.
- Alcohol. Only if you’re sure your workplace is fine with it and the person drinks. When in doubt, skip.
- Food with unknown allergies. Packaged snacks can work, but a nut-heavy gift for someone you barely know is a gamble.
- Inside jokes you’re not inside of. Gag gifts that rely on someone’s personality are risky with a near-stranger.
- Anything you’d hesitate to explain to HR. If you have to ask, don’t.
How to figure out what they’d like (without being weird)
- Look at their desk. Lots of cables? Plants? A sad cold coffee? Their desk tells you a lot.
- Listen in the group chat. People mention what they need (“my charger died again”).
- Ask the organizer. Some Secret Santas let people share a short wish list. Use it.
- Default to useful. When you know nothing, a practical desk item beats a novelty.
FAQ
What’s a normal Secret Santa budget at work? It depends on the workplace. The organizer usually sets one, and this guide assumes $20 to $25. Whatever the number, stick to it so nobody feels awkward opening theirs.
Is a gift card okay for Secret Santa? Yes, especially for a coffee shop near the office. It can feel a bit impersonal, so add a funny card or pair it with something small.
Are prices listed here? No, because they change daily. We chose each pick with a $20 to $25 budget in mind; check the live price before you buy.
More gift ideas: best gifts under $25 for college students, funny desk gadgets under $25 and, for the office party swap, white elephant gifts under $20.