Chloe Gardener
The clocks are ticking, children are just starting to write their Christmas lists and the Black Friday sales have begun… You know what that means. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Whether it’s for your group of friends, family or your work colleagues, nobody wants to break the bank this festive season. Here are some smashing gift ideas, as well as a new way to do Secret Santa this year. Get your Santa hats on and let’s get cracking.
Secret Santa Budget
The most important thing is that everyone agrees on a budget as not everybody participating is going to be on the same footing in terms of finances. So, for these suggestions, I’ll keep the budget at a maximum of £10. But that’s plenty to work with, so there’s no need to stress!
White Elephant
Popularised by Keeping up with The Kardashians, White Elephant is a fun twist on the traditional Secret Santa. The idea is that everyone brings a wrapped, unmarked gift and places it in the designated area. Everyone then pulls a number from a hat, with the number indicating the order in which you select your gift. Number 1 picks their present, unwraps it and shows the group. Number 2 then can either pick another present or steal from 1 if they fancy. And the game continues as such until everybody has a present!
The game method can get a little complicated but White Elephant Rules covers everything, so if you’re interested, you should check it out.
Secret Santa Gift Guide
The main idea is even if you don’t know the person, get them a gag gift rather than copping out with the usual box of chocolates. It’s supposed to be fun, so put some thought into it!
If you do know the person well, get them something they talk about a lot or something you know that they are interested in – simple!
Regardless, here are some gift ideas with a price range £10 or under that’ll go down a treat this year!
Crap Taxidermy – Kat Su
Crap Taxidermy by Kat Su is a book filled with hilarious pictures of taxidermy… gone ever so slightly wrong. For only £6.99 on Prezzybox, the recipient is bound to be in stitches!
Grow-Your-Own Ghost Chilli
Is your recipient someone who brags about being able to handle spicy foods? Do they also like gardening? Menkind sell a Grow-Your-Own Ghost Chilli kit for £5.99.
Vlogging Tripod
Know a future Youtuber or influencer? This is the gift for them. On sale from £9 and currently £7, this vlogging tripod for your phone also has a little ring light, so your recipient will never complain about bad lighting in pictures ever again.
How to Adult: An Illustrated Guide by Stephen Wildish
In How to Adult: An Illustrated Guide by Stephen Wildish, you too can learn about how to tackle the existential crisis of being an adult. It’s currently £9.99 from Menkind and selling fast!
Cash Stash Keyring
A good piece of advice from my grandfather: if you’re out and about, sew a tenner into the lining of your coat so if you ever need it, you’ll have some emergency money to catch a taxi home. Now, this keyring basically does the same thing, you can stash some emergency cash in there, just in case. A handy gift for anyone! It’s currently £7.99 from Prezzybox.
Bubble Blowing Bubble Bath
Who says we have to outgrow childish habits? Bubble bath that also has an extra applicator so you can blow bubbles in the bath? Count me in. £6.99 from Firebox.
Great British Pub Quiz
Know someone who has always dreamt of going on The Chase? Test their knowledge in the Great British Pub Quiz Book going for £7.99 on Firebox.
LUSH Secret Santa Gift Set
Does your person need some Christmas TLC? Well look no further, LUSH has released its £10 Secret Santa gift sets out into the world. Be warned, remember to double check the ingredients list if your assigned person doesn’t like certain smells or is allergic to some things! But I’m sure you have that covered.
Vibrating Body Massager
A lifesaver for achy shoulders and backs everywhere, this Vibrating Body Massager from Prezzybox is sure to be a hit! And for only £8.99.
Mini Self-Care Letterbox Gift
If your person needs a pampered, chilled out kind of day, then this is the gift for them! £7.99 on Prezzybox.
Personally, I would recommend Prezzybox, Menkind and Firebox to aid you on your secret Santa journey as they have hundreds of great products that you could buy for a great range of people. Whether you’re going traditional or using the new White Elephant method, all that really matters is that everyone is having fun.
Featured image courtesy of Yevhen Buzuk via Unsplash. Image license can be found here. No changes were made to the image.
Chloe Gardener
I'm a journalism student at Glasgow Clyde College by day and a podcast producer/editor/co-host by night for "Film Queery", which is available on all main podcast streaming sites. I also currently write for The Clyde Insider - GCC's student-run newspaper.
wonderful article! Lots of detail re things to buy for christmas stocking. Good timing Chloe.