Secret Santa Gifts Under $25
Secret Santa works best with gifts that almost anyone would enjoy and that stay within the limit. These picks are fun, useful and usually under $25.
How to pick
- Pick something with broad appeal. You may not know your person well.
- Fun beats fancy: a game or gadget gets more smiles than a generic gift card.
- Check the current price before you buy, since some picks hover near the limit.
21 gift ideas
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UNO Card Game
The classic family card game for 2 to 10 players. Cheap, quick and always a hit.
- Best for
- Families and friends who want a quick game anyone can learn
- Skip if
- They already own a deck, as most families do
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for UNO Card Game (opens in a new tab) -
Scented Candle Gift Set, 4 Pack
Four soy wax candles in different scents, boxed and ready to give.
- Best for
- An easy, cozy gift for almost anyone
- Skip if
- Strong scents bother them or they have curious pets
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Scented Candle Gift Set, 4 Pack (opens in a new tab) -
Cholula Hot Sauce Variety Pack
Six bottles of Cholula in different flavors, for the guy who puts hot sauce on everything.
- Best for
- People who add hot sauce to everything
- Skip if
- They don't like spicy food
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Cholula Hot Sauce Variety Pack (opens in a new tab) -
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
The classic warm work beanie. Fits almost everyone and lasts for years.
- Best for
- Anyone who works or plays outside in the cold
- Skip if
- They want a fashion-forward hat
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie (opens in a new tab) -
Chuckit! Classic Ball Launcher
Throws the ball farther with less effort. Every dog's favorite gift for their human.
- Best for
- Dog owners whose dog lives for fetch
- Skip if
- Their dog isn't into fetch
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Chuckit! Classic Ball Launcher (opens in a new tab) -
Rubik's Cube
The original 3x3 puzzle that keeps hands busy and minds working.
- Best for
- Puzzle lovers who like a challenge
- Skip if
- They get frustrated easily
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Rubik's Cube (opens in a new tab) -
Exploding Kittens Card Game
A fast, silly card game that's easy to learn and loud to play.
- Best for
- Families and friends who like silly, fast card games
- Skip if
- They prefer longer strategy games
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Exploding Kittens Card Game (opens in a new tab) -
Codenames
A team word-guessing game that's quick to set up and great for groups.
- Best for
- Parties and groups of four or more
- Skip if
- They usually play with just two people
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Codenames (opens in a new tab) -
JLab Go Air Pop Wireless Earbuds
Light, colorful wireless earbuds with a pocket-size charging case.
- Best for
- Kids, teens and the gym, at a low price
- Skip if
- They want noise canceling or top sound
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for JLab Go Air Pop Wireless Earbuds (opens in a new tab) -
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
A tiny waffle iron that makes one crispy waffle in minutes, in fun colors.
- Best for
- Quick breakfasts and college dorms
- Skip if
- They're feeding a crowd, since it makes one small waffle at a time
Typical price: Under $25
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Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
A smooth mulberry silk eye mask that blocks light without pressing on lashes.
- Best for
- Light sleepers, travelers and shift workers
- Skip if
- They already sleep in a dark room
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask (opens in a new tab) -
Twinings Tea Variety Sampler
An assortment of black, green and herbal teas to try one cup at a time.
- Best for
- Tea drinkers who like trying different flavors
- Skip if
- They only drink fancy loose-leaf tea
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Twinings Tea Variety Sampler (opens in a new tab) -
ThermoPro Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Reads in seconds, so steaks and chicken come out just right.
- Best for
- Any cook who wants meat done right, at a low price
- Skip if
- They want to watch the temperature with the lid closed
Typical price: Under $25
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Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump
Pumps the air out of opened bottles so wine stays fresh for days.
- Best for
- Wine lovers who don't finish a bottle in one night
- Skip if
- Their bottles never last past dinner
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump (opens in a new tab) -
Moleskine Classic Hardcover Notebook
A sturdy notebook with an elastic closure for lists, ideas and sketches.
- Best for
- Writers, planners and list makers
- Skip if
- They use fountain pens, which can show through the pages
Typical price: Under $25
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Sharpie S-Gel Pens
Smooth gel pens that make jotting notes feel good again.
- Best for
- Anyone who writes a lot by hand
- Skip if
- They're left-handed and smudge gel ink
Typical price: Under $25
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Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light
A hands-free book light that wraps around the neck for reading in bed.
- Best for
- People who read paper books in bed
- Skip if
- They read on a tablet or backlit e-reader
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light (opens in a new tab) -
Mario Badescu Facial Spray Trio
Three refreshing face mists with rose, cucumber and lavender.
- Best for
- A refreshing skincare treat at a low price
- Skip if
- They prefer fragrance-free skincare
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Mario Badescu Facial Spray Trio (opens in a new tab) -
Death Wish Coffee Whole Bean
A famously strong dark roast for people who take their coffee seriously.
- Best for
- People who like very strong, dark coffee
- Skip if
- They're sensitive to caffeine
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Death Wish Coffee Whole Bean (opens in a new tab) -
Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Bands
Five color-coded exercise bands for home workouts and stretching.
- Best for
- Home workouts and travel
- Skip if
- They want heavy strength training
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Bands (opens in a new tab) -
BrüMate Hopsulator Slim Can Cooler
Keeps slim cans and seltzers cold far longer than a foam koozie.
- Best for
- People who drink slim cans, like hard seltzer
- Skip if
- They mostly drink standard 12 oz cans
Typical price: Under $25
Check price on Amazon for BrüMate Hopsulator Slim Can Cooler (opens in a new tab)