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Best Secret Santa gifts 2025: fun present ideas under £25
From decoding money topics to curating gift guides, Ravi’s writing helps readers save money - and pick the perfect present.
Thoughtful, fun, quirky and affordable Secret Santa ideas – all for less than £25
Whether you’re buying for a colleague, a cousin or someone you barely know, Secret Santa gifts can be tricky to get right – especially when there’s a strict budget involved.
That’s why we’ve pulled together a handy list of great Secret Santa gift ideas for 2025, sorted by price to make sticking to your budget as easy as possible.
From practical presents, such as travel tumblers and power banks, to fun stocking fillers, including Monopoly Deal and a DIY crochet kit, there’s something here to suit all tastes and personalities.
Whether it’s for your office party or a festive family gathering, these gifts are proof that you don’t need to spend big to give something great.
Get ready for Black Friday 2025, and make the most of your money with our expert advice and shopping tips.
Best gifts under £5
Snail face wash headband
If you're looking for a fun, affordable gift that's guaranteed to get a laugh, the Molain snail headband could be a winner – it's a themed make-up headband with an elastic design and comes in a range of vibrant colours.
We like: A fun and cheap gift
Watch out for: Only comes in one size
A silly, but surprisingly handy stocking filler, this fluffy Molain headband keeps hair out of the way while you wash your face, apply skincare or just lounge about.
The palm and snail design looks adorably over the top, making it the perfect gift for a Secret Santa swap – useful and guaranteed to get a chuckle.
2026 diary
I love getting a new diary each year, which I use for everything from meal planning to reminders. There are loads of options depending on your price range and style preference.
We like: Ribbon marker makes it easy to find your page
Watch out for: Hardback cover, so not great to cram into an overstuffed bag
At less than £5, this is a neat pick for an organised colleague who likes planning ahead or for someone who could really use a little nudge to keep on top of things.
The A5 week-to-view layout makes it easy to see the week at a glance, and with 2026 ready to fill in, it’s a practical gift that can be put to use straight after Christmas.
Find out more: best Christmas gifts for gardeners
UNICEF donation gifts
For your more altruistic friends who don't want to accumulate any more possessions, the gift of supporting a charity can be a great choice.
We like: Perfect for friends who would rather make a difference than unwrap another gift
Watch out for: Some people may prefer to donate to specific charities
For those with friends who are more interested in helping others than collecting Secret Santa trinkets, UNICEF’s Inspired Gifts let you donate in its name.
Options range from £5 for 1,900 water purification tablets to £10 for a bag of footballs for children, and £25 for warm blankets for babies, among others.
The recipient gets an e-card explaining the impact, making it a thoughtful and memorable gift.
Visit UNICEF's website for donation gift options.
Best gifts under £10
MyHalos 100% Blackout Sleep Mask
As well as blocking out light so you can get to sleep, this eye mask has an adjustable strap which you can move to fit your head. Not only this, but it comes at a very reasonable price.
We like: Handy storage pouch included
We don’t like: Needs to be hand-washed
For colleagues or friends who travel often – or simply appreciate an uninterrupted nap – a blackout mask is a small but clever Secret Santa gift.
This one from Halos is made with soft memory foam and a contoured design that blocks out light without pressing on your eyes.
The adjustable strap makes it easy to fit, and the included pouch keeps it safe in a bag, which is handy for planes, trains, hotel beds or even sneaking in a Christmas afternoon snooze.
Discover how this model fares in our guide to the best eye masks for sleep.
Find out more: best Christmas gifts for dads
Monopoly Deal
We usually always end up playing Monopoly Deal after Christmas dinner - it’s quick, easy to learn and everyone gets hooked.
We like: Faster than the original Monopoly board game
We don’t like: A maximum of five players
Unlike the marathon board game, Monopoly Deal is a speedy card version that keeps the trading and deal-making, but only takes about 15 minutes.
You can play with two to five players. It’s small, inexpensive and makes a great pick for Christmas Day itself – and the recipient can open it up and start playing straight away.
For more competitive Christmas fun, see our best board games.
Personalised keyring
A personalised keyring is cheap and cheerful while still feeling a bit special. I got one from my last job that coincided with me moving into my new home - and it is still on my keys three years later.
We like: Personalised feel, with initials engraved
Watch out for: Be sure to pick the right colour for them
At £7, this handmade leather keyring makes a thoughtful little gift without stretching your budget. You can add initials in gold or silver foil, turning it into something personal.
It’s 7cm long, made from vegetable-tanned Italian leather, comes in a choice of colours and each one is packaged in a cotton pouch.
You can pick this up at Etsy for £7.
Best gifts under £15
Chill Factor Slushy Maker
Making homemade slushies is a fun – and tasty – activity for little ones. This slushy maker makes a single serving and is easy to use.
We like: Whips up tasty frozen drinks
We don't like: Not dishwasher-safe
The Chill Factor Slushy Maker is a quirky gift that brings some festive fun – good for whipping up icy treats during Christmas film marathons or holiday get-togethers.
Simply pop the cup in the freezer for eight to 10 hours, pour in a chilled drink (no more than two thirds full), screw on the lid and give it a good squeeze.
See our best frozen drink makers to see how they stack up.
Toft mini crochet kit
These are well-made, cute and perfect for wannabe or actual crafters as they come at different levels including beginner.
We like: Includes the hook and stuffing
Watch out for: Best suited to teens and adults, not younger children
This boxed crochet kit is a brilliant pick for anyone who fancies trying something creative over the Christmas break. Each set includes everything needed to make one of Toft’s mini animals, such as a jellyfish, bunny or crab, using soft UK-spun wool and a 3mm crochet hook.
The kits come with instructions and links to video tutorials, so even beginners can give it a go. The finished creature sits around 8cm tall, making it a satisfying little project.
It’s a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys a hands-on hobby or just wants something relaxing to do after the festivities wind down.
You can pick this up at Yarn Loft for £15.
Best gifts under £20
Anker Nano Powerbank
I got one of these power banks for each of my sons last Christmas. It's super light, so it slips easily into a small bag for long journeys or camping trips. The Belkin 5K could also be worth a look if you have a MagSafe iPhone, but it's bulkier and slightly more expensive.
We like: Small and lightweight
We don’t like: May not have enough capacity for heavy use
This tiny power bank from Anker weighs just 100g and is designed to plug straight into your phone using its fold-out USB-C connector. It also has two USB-C ports, providing you a few extra options for charging on the go.
Available in a range of colours, it’s a practical little gadget that slips easily into a bag or coat pocket and a great pick for anyone who loves their tech.
We’ve put it through its paces in our full review, so find out how it performed in our guide to the best power banks and portable chargers.
- Find out more: best tech Christmas gifts
Scented oil diffuser
A diffuser bundled with a selection of scents is a simple way to create a calming atmosphere while keeping your home smelling fresh. With affordable multipacks on offer (often around £10 for a pack of five mini bottles), it’s easy to swap fragrances to suit your mood or the season.
We like: Simple to set up and use
Watch out for: Comes in different styles, so check if it suits their space
A scented oil diffuser makes a calming gift that adds a bit of atmosphere to any room. Just fill the base with water, add a few drops of essential oil and choose how long you want it to run – it will automatically turn off when the time’s up.
Soft LED lighting adds to the mood, and it’s quiet enough to keep on a desk or bedside table. It’s a good Secret Santa option if you’re buying for someone who loves a bit of peace and a nice-smelling room.
Global Gizmos popcorn maker
There's nothing quite like fresh popcorn for movie night at home, and kids love the excitement of popping it themselves.
We like: Simple to use
We don't like: Rogue kernels can occasionally fly out
This popcorn maker makes a fun and affordable Secret Santa pick, especially for anyone who’s always hosting movie nights. It uses hot air instead of oil and each batch makes around two portions.
It comes with a measuring cup and four paper popcorn bags, so they can try it out immediately. Just remind them to have a bowl ready, and maybe to duck.
See our best popcorn makers to see if this one pops out more than the others.
Boots Skincare Favourites
Cosy winter nights are perfect for a little self-care. This Boots skincare set has everything you need for an at-home spa night, including hydrating sheet masks and hair treatments to give your skin and hair a healthy glow.
We like: Loads of variety for a full-on pamper night
Watch out for: Takes up a bit of space
If you’ve picked someone who loves a skincare routine or just enjoys locking the bathroom door and pretending the world doesn’t exist for an hour, this one’s a winner.
Inside the box is a mix of masks for the face, eyes, hands, feet and hair, along with wipes and products from well-known brands such as Botanics, Champneys and Soap & Glory.
Find out more: best Christmas gifts for women
Best gifts under £25
Thermos King Travel Tumbler
We like: Smart design and good colour choices
We don’t like: Might be too chunky for smaller bags
This sturdy travel tumbler is a solid pick for anyone who rarely leaves the house without a brew in hand. Thermos says it keeps drinks hot for up to seven hours or cold for 18 hours, making it ideal for long commutes, cold morning walks or winter train delays.
There’s a spill-resistant lid, a stainless steel finish and even a built-in tea hook for bags or loose-leaf infusers.
This is a great Secret Santa option for that colleague who's always clutching a coffee, as it's practical, well-made and something they’ll actually use.
Read our full review of the Thermos King Travel Tumbler to see if it lives up to its claims.
Looking for more gift inspiration? See our guides:
- Best Christmas gifts for gardeners
- Best Christmas gifts for kids
- Best Christmas gifts for dogs
- Best Christmas gifts for foodies
- Best Christmas gifts for one-year-olds
- Best Christmas gifts for two-year-olds
- Best Christmas gifts for three-year-olds
- Best Christmas gifts for golfers
- Best Christmas gifts for mums
- Best subscription Christmas gifts