Does your workplace do a Secret Santa gift exchange? Or maybe your department likes to have a White Elephant party. These fun holiday traditions, along with other events like an annual cocktail party or conference-room potluck, are a great way to build bonds among team members, boost morale, and shake off some of the workday stress.
However, there are times when playing Secret Santa can itself become stressful – for example, when you’re supposed to buy a gift for Alicia in Accounts Payable but have no idea who Alicia is, let alone what she likes! Another challenge can be finding a unique gift, rather than the same ol’ same ol’ coffee mug, mouse pad, or scented candle. We’ve got you covered, so read on for some truly unusual Secret Santa or White Elephant gift ideas!
1. Brighten Up Their Lunch Break
Brown-bagging it is in style again, especially for office workers who would rather spend their money on happy hour than on the lunch hour. That said, actual brown bags aren’t very economical, or very good for the environment. Get your gift recipient a reusable insulated lunch bag to tote their eats in eco-friendly style.
Look for products that are BPA-free, as well as microwave and dishwasher safe. A sleek bento box with an array of compartments is sure to be appreciated by whoever ends up with this White Elephant gift.
If you have a little extra money to spend, consider stocking the lunch tote or bag with reusable sandwich wrappers and snack bags, stainless-steel straws, bamboo cutlery, and even cloth napkins.
2. Decorate Their Desk
Quirky, conversation-piece office supplies are another surefire Secret Santa choice. A pushpin holder that looks like a piece of nigiri or a doughnut, a tape dispenser that looks like a frog, a pad of sticky notes designed like an old-school cassette tape, customized pencils or pens, a rainbow keyboard cover, or a pen holder made from a decommissioned Rubik’s cube: there are fun novelty office supplies galore.
If your giftee famously never attended college – but is smart as a whip nevertheless, consider a fake diploma as a gag gift. Other presents he or she can hang on the office wall include demotivational posters, prints of famous artworks, or even art made by animals!
3. Give the Gift of Experience
Call it conspicuous consumption burnout, the Marie Kondo effect, or good old-fashioned minimalism, but more and more of us are eschewing tangible gifts in favor of experiences. Even the recent surge of subscription box popularity, and the ritual of “unboxing,” is a nod toward this trend. People would rather do something than get something.
Of course, you won’t be able to buy a truly amazing experience – a hot air balloon ride, cooking tour of Tuscany, skydiving session, or season tickets to a sports team’s home games – on a budget of $25 or less. But you can get gift certificates to local museums or attractions, a class in sushi rolling, craft cocktail making, or hand lettering at a makerspace or continuing education center, or even a fun, unusual fitness class like aerial yoga, bungee fitness, or pole fitness.
This is probably better saved if you know your Secret Santa recipient at least fairly well; if she’s a total stranger or only a nodding acquaintance, a gift card to a nearby restaurant or indie boutique might be a better choice. If the two of you are office buddies, thought, why not make it a weekend date? You can get to know each other outside the confines of your cubicles!
Wrapping Up
We hope this post has inspired you to look beyond the usual hackneyed gift ideas and choose a present for your office mate that is different from the usual holiday fare. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a big impact, either!
What’s the best Secret Santa gift you’ve ever gotten? Have you ever given something unusual that went over well with the recipient? Let us know your experiences in the comment section below!
