Secret Santa Gifts NZ: Ideas Under $10, $20 & $30
SECRET SANTA GIFT IDEAS
SECRET SANTA, SORTED
Looking for Secret Santa gifts in NZ that won’t end up in the re-gift drawer? The trick is to stick to the budget, pick something useful or a bit cheeky, and wrap it nicely. Below I’ve rounded up our favourite Secret Santa ideas under $10, $20 and $30, all in stock now and ready to despatch from Ashburton.
SHOP SECRET SANTAUNDER $10 IDEASEvery year we get emails from people who have drawn the boss, the new starter or the cousin they’ve met twice, and the panic is real. So here’s how I’d tackle it, with plenty of pictures so you can see exactly what you’re getting.
Our top picks
Secret Santa favourites right now
If you only have two minutes, start here. These are the gifts I’d grab first, from a festive pen that’s flying out the door to a set of Kiwiana wine charms.
Multi Colour 10 in 1 Christmas Pen$8.99
Hinkler Faux Leather Sudoku Puzzle Book$12.99
Cheeky Snack Enthusiast Mug$16.79
Smiling Christmas Tree with Scarf Hanging Ornament$15.99
Coffee Life Charms Silver Bracelet$19.49
Pink Leopard Bunny Keyring$20.00
Koru Set of 4 Wine Charms$23.99
Le Forge White & Gold Ceramic Tealight Housesfrom $22.00
The golden rules
How to choose a Secret Santa gift people actually want
After years of packing Secret Santa orders, here’s what I’ve learned works best.
1Stick to the budget
Going way over can make everyone else feel awkward. Going under is fine if the gift is thoughtful.
2Think about what they do every day
Coffee lover? Puzzle fan? Dog parent? Wine-o’clock person? A gift that fits their routine almost always lands.
3Funny is great, rude is risky
A cheeky mug gets a laugh at the work do. Save anything edgier for friends who you know will love it.
4When in doubt, go Christmassy
A tree ornament or something for the Christmas table suits almost anyone, and it comes out again every year. Here are a few that tick those boxes:
Coffee Life Charms Silver Bracelet$19.49
Hinkler Perfect Puzzles Crosswords Book$8.99
Kobe Dog Treat Selfie Clip$8.00
Cheeky Delete History Mug$16.79
Smiling Christmas Tree with Present Hanging Ornament$15.99
Christmas Napkin Seviette 20pk$7.99
Our whole Secret Santa gifts NZ collection is built around these rules, so it’s a good place to browse if you want even more ideas.
Small budget, big smiles
Secret Santa gifts NZ under $10
A tight budget doesn’t have to mean a boring gift. These little ones punch above their weight, and our best seller is the perfect place to start.
Multi Colour 10 in 1 Christmas Pen
One of our best sellers right now. It’s fun, it’s festive and it’ll live on someone’s desk all year. Easy to pop in a card or pair with a puzzle book.
$8.99SHOP THE PENThe Hinkler Perfect Puzzles books ($8.99 each) come in crosswords, word search, sudoku and mixed puzzles. Perfect for the person who does the crossword at smoko.
Hinkler Perfect Puzzles Crosswords Book$8.99
Hinkler Perfect Puzzles Word Search Book$8.99
Hinkler Perfect Puzzles Sudoku Book$8.99
Hinkler Perfect Puzzles Mixed Puzzle Book$8.99
For the dog lovers, the Corgi Pizza Cutter ($8) is silly in the best way, and the Kobe Dog Treat Selfie Clip ($8) is a clever little gift they’ll actually use. And a pack of Christmas Napkin Seviettes ($7.99) is handy for whoever’s hosting Christmas lunch. Pair it with a puzzle book and you’re still under $20.
The sweet spot
Secret Santa gifts under $20
This is the most common Secret Santa budget we see, and there’s loads of choice.
Cheeky mugs. The Snack Enthusiast and Delete History mugs ($16.79) are always a hit at the office party. Fill one with lollies for extra points.
Life Charms bracelets. At $19.49, these are a lovely thoughtful option. Choose the message to suit: Coffee for the caffeine queen, Thank You for someone who’s helped you out this year, or Good Luck for someone starting something new.
Coffee Life Charms Silver Bracelet$19.49
Thank You Life Charms Silver Bracelet$19.49
Good Luck Life Charms Silver Bracelet$19.49
Christmas ornaments and Kiwiana. The Smiling Christmas Tree with Scarf and Smiling Christmas Tree with Present ornaments ($15.99) are just too cute, and the Le Forge Golden Labrador ($11.69) is a sweet pick for a lab owner. The Eternal Twist Ceramic Koru (from $11.99) is a gorgeous little piece of Aotearoa for a desk or shelf.
Smiling Christmas Tree with Scarf Hanging Ornament$15.99Smiling Christmas Tree with Present Hanging Ornament$15.99
Le Forge Golden Labrador Christmas Tree Ornament$11.69
Eternal Twist Ceramic Ornamental Korufrom $11.99
Games, cards and puzzles. Beer Lovers Playing Cards and the Funny Dog Personality Test ($12.49 each) are easy wins for the person who’s hard to buy for. The Faux Leather Sudoku and Word Search books ($12.99) look smart enough to give the boss.
Beer Lovers Playing Cards$12.49
Funny Dog Personality Test$12.49
Hinkler Faux Leather Sudoku Puzzle Book$12.99
Hinkler Faux Leather Word Search Puzzle Book$12.99
A little more special
Secret Santa gifts under $30
If your group has gone for a slightly bigger budget, you can get something really special. This one is a favourite of mine:
Le Forge White & Gold Ceramic Tealight Houses
These start at $22 for the 12cm size (the 14cm is $29.99). Add a few tealights and it’s a ready-made festive glow on the mantel or windowsill.
from $22.00SEE THE SIZESThe Koru Set of 4 Wine Charms ($23.99) come boxed and ready to give, great for the wine lover. The Pink Leopard Bunny Keyring ($20) is a fun, fashion-y little gift for someone who loves a bit of personality on their bag. For the cat person, the Crazy Cat Lady Ceramic Mug ($27.99) says it all, and the Taco Time Fun Game ($20) is perfect if your Secret Santa ends with games after dinner.
Koru Set of 4 Wine Charms$23.99
Pink Leopard Bunny Keyring$20.00
Gift Republic Crazy Cat Lady Ceramic Mug$27.99
Taco Time Fun Game$20.00
Keep browsing
More gifts on a budget
Gifts for Her Under $50
Gifts for Them Under $80
Kids & Stocking Fillers
Funny & Novelty Gifts
Le Forge Christmas
Running the draw?
Office Secret Santa tips
1Set the budget early
And put it in writing. $10, $20 or $30 are the most popular amounts.
2Do the draw by the end of November
So everyone has time to order and nobody is stuck at the petrol station on the day.
3Order early
Our Christmas order-by dates are 18 December for the North Island and 21 December for the South Island, but the earlier the better if your work party is mid-December.
4Let us wrap it
Gift wrapping is free, so it arrives looking gorgeous and you don’t have to hunt for sticky tape.
5Clubbing together?
If the team is buying for the boss, or you need lots of the same gift, our corporate gift boxes might be easier.
Good to know
Secret Santa FAQs
How much should you spend on Secret Santa in NZ?
Most workplaces and families we hear from set a budget of $10 to $30, with $20 being the most common. Whatever the group decides, the key is that everyone sticks to it.
What’s a good Secret Santa gift for someone you don’t know well?
Go for something universal: a Christmas ornament, a puzzle book, Christmas napkins for the table or a fun pen. They suit almost anyone and won’t feel too personal.
Can you gift wrap my Secret Santa present?
Yes, gift wrapping is free. Choose the gift wrap option on the product page and add a message (or keep it secret!).
What if they don’t like it?
Christmas purchases made between 1 November and 24 December can be exchanged until 15 January. Outside those dates, our usual policy is exchange or store credit within 10 days.
When should I order for Christmas?
Order by 18 December for the North Island, 21 December for the South Island and 7 December for Australia. If your work party is earlier, order a week or so before it.
Happy Secret Santa shopping
I hope this takes the stress out of your Secret Santa this year. Shipping is free in NZ on orders over $160, orders are packed within 24 hours Monday to Friday, gift wrapping is always free and you can pay with Afterpay. If you’re stuck, email us at info@raptonline.co.nz and we’ll happily help you pick.
Angela x
