Shopping for the perfect Secret Santa gift can often be fun, but let’s be real here: Knowing what to get in this scenario is also quite stressful. These types of goodies usually have to be priced under a specific dollar amount — which can seriously curb any wow-factor potential — and they still need to be eye-catching enough to keep the person from re-gifting it for next year’s shindig. So instead of resorting to an item that is basic or tongue-in-cheek, why not choose a thoughtful gift that encompasses most people’s interests?
Deciding on the perfect present can be exacting, so we put together a group of ideas to kickstart the hunt. Every option on this list is priced at upward of $20 and appeal to an array of personality types. You’ll find something here for the coffee afficionado or the hostess with the mostest; there’s a gift for the homebody or the person focusing on self-care and New Year’s resolutions. Basically, it doesn’t matter who you have for your Secret Santa exchange. We’re sure they will love one of these selections below. A note on pricing: All of these were under $20 at the time of publication, but prices may fluctuate.
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As the year is coming to a close, most of us are reflecting on what we’d like to do better in the new year. Help them stay on track with self-care and become more mindful with this card deck, which offers prompts for everything from gratitude to creativity and learning.
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Does your giftee love to take Instax photos? They’re a fun way to capture memories, but people often struggle with how to display them. To keep them from ending up in a shoe box, get them this rotating Instax frame.
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Not only are these wool dryer balls ridiculously cute, but they soften laundry naturally and will help your giftee cut back on drying time. They’re made with 100% premium New Zealand wool and come with a foldable felt box for storage.
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Not everyone has the luxury of a bathtub, but everyone has a shower. Give your giftee a luxurious steam with the help of these essential oil shower steamers. Options include Stress Relief, to calm frazzled nerves with lemongrass, eucalyptus and orange; Wake Up for morning showers that use spearmint and citrus; Sleep Tight to help them unwind before bed with lavender; and Breathe Easy, with eucalyptus to soothe.
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If your giftee has a dog, elevate their dog-walking aesthetic with the help of this stylish poop bag carrier. It comes in eight different colors, has a handy strap that can attach to a leash, and you even get one free roll of eco-friendly doggy bags.
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If your giftee is always solving puzzles on their phone, they’ll enjoy this collection of crosswords from New York magazine. They can spend cozy evenings under a blanket, sipping hot cocoa and cracking some of the magazine’s toughest crosswords.