Christmas 2026 is fast approaching, and with it the need to decide what to get for everyone on your list. And in that list, there’s usually at least one Secret Santa…
Secret Santas are fun, but finding nice Secret Santa gifts within the allotted budget (especially for someone you don't know that well) can be a bit of a challenge! Don’t worry, though – Estella Bartlett is here to help with all your Secret Santa quandaries.
What Makes a Good Secret Santa Gift?
A good Secret Santa gift is 1) within the Secret Santa budget, 2) thoughtful but not too personal, and 3) easy to give someone you don't know that well. Discover our Secret Santa gift ideas that are just the right balance between thoughtfulness and budget below!
Our Top Secret Santa Gift Ideas
Scented Candles (from £10)
Who doesn't love a scented candle? They grant the recipient an excuse to take a second to relax and make any room smell nice – who doesn't love that! If you know the person a little bit, you might know what scent profile they like best based on what perfumes they wear, but if not, a Christmassy scent like a fir scented candle or a berry scented candle make great Secret Santa gifts.
Card Holders (from £16)
Another jack-of-all-trades of gifting, small accessories like card holders never disappoint. You can choose based on the colours the person wears the most or their choice of print – are they an animal print lover, or love stripes? We also offer card holders for men if your Secret Santa prefers a sleeker style (or is a man).
Friendship Bracelets (from £19)
Yes, we realise you might not consider your Secret Santa a proper friend, but friendship bracelets are usually stretchy or adjustable, so you don't have to worry about how thick or small the recipient's wrist is when choosing one! Make sure to go for Estella Bartlett's Amelia, Louise, or Sienna bracelets to get that one-size-fits-most quality.
Gemstone Jewellery (from £22)
When you gift someone gemstone jewellery, you're not only gifting them a nice necklace or bracelet – you're gifting them good vibes. Different gemstones bring different energy, and if you want something ready to gift, check out our wellness collection: their packaging explains what each gemstone is known for.
Jewellery Boxes (from £19)
If your Secret Santa is always donning a lot of jewellery but you're not confident enough to choose a jewellery gift for them, a jewellery box would be just as thoughtful a gift to house their collection! Available in a range of styles and sizes, you're spoilt for choice, and if in doubt, just check out our best sellers.
Ready-to-gift Christmas Presents (from £18)
For a stress-free Christmas gift, Estella Bartlett offers Christmassy styles in special holiday-edition packaging that are bound to please any recipient. We recommend the Trio Star Necklace (£21) for a crowd-pleasing Xmas gift that won't break the bank and works as a card and wrapped gift all in one!
Hand-Picked Secret Santa Gift Ideas Under £20
Large Fir Scented Candle (£10 - £19)
Our Fir Scented Candle is a unisex gift that exudes wintery, cosy vibes. Choose between the small (£10) or large version (£19).
Snowflake Stretch Bracelet (£18)
A classic Estella Bartlett stocking filler, the Snowflake Stretch Bracelet comes with a "With love at Christmas" message that makes it an easy and affordable Secret Santa gift.
Positive Vibes Card Purse (£19)
One of our best sellers for years, the Positive Vibes Card Purse has a handy zipped purse for coins and bills, plus slots to hold up to 4 cards. The iridescent material and embossed "Positive Vibes" will make its recipient smile whenever they reach for it!
Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Colleagues
Bracelets and Necklaces with Inspirational Messages (from £19)
Estella Bartlett offers dozens of playful charm jewellery pieces with different types of packaging messages, some of which are perfect for work colleagues. Opt for the Fairy Charm Bracelet (which says "You are magical") for that coworker who's always working miracles for you, or the Interlinked Ovals Bracelet (which says "Keep Shining") for a Secret Santa who's doing a good job.
Pouches and Wash Bags (from £19)
Does your office Secret Santa seem to have more holiday allowance than you and/or is always bragging about going to the gym? If so, a pouch would be a suitable gift, and Estella Bartlett offers both neutral and printed versions depending on their personal style.
Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Women Who are Hard to Shop For
Gift Cards (from £10)
If your Secret Santa is someone who seems very picky or has a specific personal style that's hard to nail, a Gift Card is always a good call! Starting from £10, they're bound to find something they like at Estella Bartlett.
A Bracelet or Necklace with a Gift Message Just for Her (from £19)
For just £2.95, you can add your own custom Christmas message for your Secret Santa to any of our eligible necklaces and bracelets – if you're willing to spend that little bit more, it really takes the gift to a whole other level, bound to be appreciated even by those who are difficult to shop for. Everyone loves getting a gift with their name on it!
Secret Santa Gift-Giving Tips
- Stick to the agreed budget. You don't need to overspend to get a nice Secret Santa gift, but remember that shipping, gift packaging and cards can be considered off-budget expenses depending on how low the budget is (e.g. less than £20)
- Don't forget to remove any price tags from your gift (unless you need to prove that you stayed within the Secret Santa budget)
- If going for jewellery gifts, prioritise adjustable styles, and if you're still not sure, go for accessory gifts or candles
- Afraid they'll want to exchange? Estella Bartlett doesn't add packing slips to online orders, so it's always a good idea to add your order number to your card. That way, in case the recipient wants to exchange or needs to get in contact with our customer service, they can easily contact us without the embarrassment of letting you know!
Secret Santa Gift FAQs
What's a good Secret Santa gift?
A good Secret Santa gift is thoughtful but generic enough to please a wide variety of people – especially important if you don't know the recipient well – and stays within your Secret Santa budget.
What's a typical Secret Santa budget in the UK?
Secret Santa budgets can vary widely depending on who's organising them, but usually they're between £10 and £25.
What if I don't know my Secret Santa well?
We've all been there! If you don't know your Secret Santa well, a crowd-pleasing gift like candles is a safe bet.
Now that you have a good idea of what to get for your 2026 Secret Santa, browse all our Christmas gift ideas!
