Secret Pal or Secret Santa Gift Ideas

Contributor post by Opal from Apron Strings Owl Lady 

They are used as a fun way to honor co-workers, to surprise other’s at holidays, birthdays and other events – even secretly sent in the mail – have you ever participated in a secret pal gift give-a-way?

Most are conducted by just leaving the gift on the person’s desk or workplace. Some of my friends call these Amigo Secreto (secret friend) or Amigo Invisible (invisible friend). What is this called in your country?

With Etsy, it’d be very simple to send secret gifts to special people in our lives. Thank you Alicia of AliciasFindings for thinking of this topic. Do you have items in your shop that would be perfect for this type of small gift giving? We’d love to see them and hear your story.

Stock Lane Studio from StockLaneStudio says

 I love Secret Santa gift exchanges at work! And trying to guess who the gift-giver was. The game often helps break the ice, solidify friendships and spark new ones!

Here’s a fun Secret Santa Gift great for the office – a mousepad adorned with Love Locks that used to adorn bridges that spanned the Seine River in Paris. The topic of the love locks will certainly bring out conversations and it’s perfect for a traveling buddy or to send a subtle romantic message. . . .

Computer Mouse Pad Gift

Diana from joliefemmebydiana says

This is a fun and decorative gift for a secret santa. It’s fun to draw names and then see what cute little thing or funny thing you can find to make someone else smile. It’s always a fun surprise!

Winter Mittens Mini Sack Tote

Suzi TC from Oldewoods says

In my last office we had a Kris Kringle where all of our names were written down and went into a bucket. We each chose a slip (keeping it secret of course!) then bought a gift with a value up to $20 for our special colleague. All the pressies went into the Santa Sack and were given out at our Christmas Party. The Banksia Bomb was especially created with affordable festive giving in mind 🙂

Gift Pak – Banksia Bomb

Melissa R from missy69 says

Secret Santa is always so much fun! Most gift items are given a price of 25 dollars or less, or it used to be when I was in the working force. This leather wrap bracelet, is perfect as a friend or Secret Santa gift. Versatile, and affordable, in neutral colors for Fall and Winter wear. Free shipping, right now, until Jan 1, 2017 on all orders of 35 dollars or more.

Boho Chic Brown Glass Beads

Jerry and Opal from ApronStringsOwlLady says

 I always loved being the giver or the recipient on these Santa and secret pal gifting days. So much fun!

I would probably just make them something like this if it was for a church friend, or even a co worker that I knew what she liked. It’s a take on a country bird bath theme, a little rustic then turned into an inspirational white Dove gift.

Inspirational White Dove Gift

Heather Barber from MooseintheMint says

 At work when we did Secret Santa, it tended to be the secretary who organised who got their exchange – I think it involved lots of sealed envelopes!

I think this would be a lovely gift for a dog loving colleague, especially those who often have their pet photos on their desk. Or alternatively, it is suitable if you are in a group who posts their gift to their exchange partner

Dog Lover Sign

Carola Bartz from CarolaBartz says

 I love Secret Santas, they are fun and just create joy. We did it back in college and my daughter did it with her friends while they were still in school. It was always very enjoyable to find a little gift. I have chosen a little holiday ornament on a 3×3 canvas that is not necessarily specific for Christmas but is perfect for any lover of nature, wild animals like moose and wolves, and just for winter in general. It can be hung in a tree, on a mantelpiece or wherever is space.

Mixed Media Christmas Ornament

Linda from LazyYVintage says

Circular Fire & Ice Brooch

For the co-worker or friend who loves holiday jewelry this Sarah Coventry fire and ice brooch is a perfect secret Santa gift; small, beautiful, and thoughtful.
If I didn’t already have one from a secret Santa friend, I might not of shared this one.

Catherine Clifford from DesignsByCnC says

In college, we did a Secret Santa and it was loads of fun. It was a great way to get to know the other girls in my dorm and to relieve some of the stress from final exams.

One of the gifts that I received was an adorable stuffed hippo wearing a stocking cap nestled inside a small Christmas stocking. I still have him today and each year we place him under our Christmas tree.

For a sweet and easy gift for a Secret Santa gift exchange, this Christmas Cocoa Holder is perfect. Just add a packet of cocoa and a peppermint stick and your gift is ready to go.

Christmas Cocoa Holder

ay from DaffodilLaneStudio says

Secret Santa is especially fun when it’s HARD to figure out who gave what!! I like the Secret Santa game that involves SWAPPING! A gift is opened and the next person can choose to “keep or swap” for someone else’s already opened gift! It keeps the game going just a little bit longer! ( A favorite for my family – but then I have some ruthless swappers living at my house! )

Wouldn’t it be fun to choose a “vintage” Secret Santa gift for your next office exchange? This little cutie is a great choice because it works with any holiday décor. Perfect on your desk too! Vintage reindeer NEVER get thrown away! They just keep delighting young and old for years to come!

Vintage Plastic Christmas Deer

Sue and Misty from shabbyshopgirls says

 We love secret Santa gifts that are both fun and functionable! These adorable Christmas carolers candles will sing their way into your hearts and decorate your home at the same time!

Christmas Carolers Candle Figurines

Richard and Tatiana from DesignstheLimit says

 Most of the gifts in our shop are individually personalized for the recipient, but we have the perfect gift for the stressed out coworker or anyone who needs to drink to their good health and for wellness. Available in Red or White stemless wine glasses or on any product in our shop.

Personalized Stemless Wine Glass

We originally created this design for the Net Neutrality movement, but decided to keep it around for love of the good fight and the humor of the double meaning which it invokes when engraved on a wine, whiskey, or coffee mug!

Artsy Lady from WeirdVanity says

 I love Secret Santa! Its a tradition i have been part of since my days in grad school. In school we were on a limited budget, so most of the presents were handmade, which was even more amazing! One of the gifts i received was a handmade Ganesha statue , another time i got a pencil sketch (which was super cool!). at work the budget was higher so that meant store bought presents like scented candles or mugs.

A really cool Secret Santa present would be this handmade custom pet portrait for that colleague or friend who loves his/ her pet!

Custom Pet Portrait Necklace

Corkycrafts from Corkycrafts says

 Secret Santa brings back many fun memories of grammar school. Our teacher would ask us to bring ornaments into school handmade and give them to her in a brown lunch bag and she would distribute to students by hiding them in your locker or in your desk while you were at lunch or recess, which means you never know who got your ornament until they opened it. Secret was you couldn’t tell who got yours or who had you unless somebody squealed. One year in 4th grade I got a handmade wood bell ornament and many decades later its still displayed on my tree.

This would make a great Secret Santa gift for work or school or even for your child’s teacher.

Crochet Christmas Angel Ornament

toysfrom70s from toysfrom70s says

 A Secret Santa gift exchange is all about the mystery and fun plus sharing the Christmas spirit. This small bear could sit on somebody’s desk at work and its festive and fun decor throughout the holidays.

Collectible Teddy Bear Figurine

Dawn Whitehand from DeeDeeSupplies says

 These Christmas coloured beads would make the ideal secret santa gift for the craft lover in your life! They are ideal for adding sparkle, bling and pizzazz to clothing, accessories handbags, quilts, wedding favours, table decorations and an array of craft projects.

Faceted Tear Drop Acrylic Beads

Sue from SuesAkornShop says

 Secret Santa’s are so much fun and it’s always a fun time trying to guess who the Santa is!

This vase is great for a co workers desk or for their home. Change the flowers with the seasons or occasions or keep your favorites in this gorgeous mercury glass vase.

Silver Mercury Glass Vase

Sue and Misty from shabbyshopgirls says

 We love Secret Santa gift exchanges! Whether it’s for a man or woman, just about everyone would love a great deck of Christmas playing cards! Host an office party or family gathering with a friendly game bridge or poker! A great way to kick start the Holiday season!

Vintage Christmas Playing Cards

Julia from Fabpatterns1015 says

 A perfect Secret Santa gift; especially, for that favorite teacher! Stuffed, fabric apple, for ornament, shelf, curio, or where ever you wish to use it. Customizable, too!

Apple Fabric Smiles Ornament

Christa from WintergreenDesign says

 Secret Santa exchanges have always been a great holiday tradition. Most of the secret Santa exchanges I have been apart of have included the exchanging of Christmas Ornaments… I think they are a thoughtful gift and whether you know someone well or not you are likely to find an ornament that will fit the person and your budget.

For a Secret Santa exchange I would definitely go with an ornament. In my shop I have dozen of designs that can be customized by color or hair style making an ornament perfect for your recipient.

Bearded Elf Ornament

Cristal Hughes from DesignsbyCristal says

 I loved being apart of the Secret Santa type parties they were so much fun!!!. As the bag was being passed around for you to choose a name you could tell everyone was hoping somebody who was a great gift giver pulled their name. So, I think getting something the person has listed on their wish list would be a pleasant surprise especially if this were there only gift.

Horses Lanyard

Dawn Whitehand from DeeDeeDeesigns says

 These colourful earrings would make a gorgeous secret santa gift for the jewelery lover. Imprinted with a flower decoration, these handmade earrings are lightweight and an easy transition from day wear to night attire.

Handmade Ceramic Jewelry

Roses Workshop from RosesWorkshop says

 I have had several customers recently saying their purchase was for a Secret Santa gift. Since I already wrap all my items in tissue tied up with a simple satin ribbon, they are ready for giving. Here’s an idea that is even useful around the office:

British Wool Mug Cosy

Esther-Nicole Designs from TheENDboutique says

 Perfectly Unique Holiday or Christmas Gift idea for your Secret Santa, or Holiday Christmas Party 35+ COLOR CHOICES

3pc Rose Pen Holiday Gift Set

Rose Pen Set

Pen Flower Bouquet Gift Set Perfect Gift to Co-worker, Best Friend or Floral bouquet/Flower Alternative for your Girlfriend, Wife or Mom.
Create a Custom Centerpiece for Home or Office Desk Décor.

Mary Steed from MaryJaneCreations says

 I think secret santa is a lovely idea. Here is one for the ladies… If not your choice, I’ve other charmed items too.

Moon Charm Pendant