The office Secret Santa has a budget, a deadline and a person you may barely know. The trick is to pick something that looks personal without requiring you to know their shoe size. These ideas all come in under $50, and the first few can be ordered in the last week before the party.
Personal, but low-risk
A cartoon portrait of them (from $20)
Grab a photo from the team page or a group picture and have a real artist draw your colleague as a yellow cartoon character, at their desk, with their coffee mug, or on the famous couch. It is funny, flattering and nobody else will bring it. The digital file arrives by email in 2-3 days, so it works even if you drew the name late; print it at the office or gift the file. Order a portrait.
Their cartoon face on a mug ($39)
Same portrait, printed on a mug. Needs about two weeks for printing and shipping, so order early in December.
A desk plant that survives neglect
Snake plant, pothos or a small cactus. Under $25 and it outlives the fruitcake.
Good coffee or tea
A bag from a local roaster beats a supermarket brand and still costs under $20.
Useful at work
- A quality insulated bottle or travel mug.
- A cable organiser or a phone stand for the desk.
- Noise-reducing earplugs for the open-plan office.
- A nice notebook and a pen that does not leak.
Fun, if you know them a little
- A puzzle or board game for the break room.
- A hot sauce set for the colleague who adds chilli to everything.
- A cookbook for the one who always brings the best lunch.
- A streaming or audiobook gift card.
Last-minute savers
- A digital portrait with Rush Order: 48-hour delivery by email.
- A gift card they redeem on their own portrait.
Organising gifts for a whole team? See our employee gifts page for group portraits.
