Secret Santa gifts under $20
We sell some of the items below and link to the shops that sell the rest. Prices, stock and delivery checked November 11.
Secret Santa gifts under $20 work when anyone in the office could unwrap them and be fine with it.
We chose useful, good-humored things that stay inside the limit. We skipped joke gifts that only land if you know the person, since you probably drew someone you don't. Today's picks: the flock of chicks (donation in their name) ($20.00), the deck of side quests ($19.00) and the mason jar indoor herb garden ($20.00). Each one shows its price, who sells it and how it arrives. Free delivery on orders of $35.00 or more; $4.99 below that.
Our three picks
- 1
The safe pick: The one nobody could mind opening in front of the whole office
Flock of chicks (donation in their name)
A donation in their name: nothing to store, and it helps a family elsewhere.
Checked November 11:$20.00at Heifer InternationalGiven through Heifer International. Sent by email (or print at home); nothing is posted. - 2
A bit more fun: Gets a laugh from the room and is still useful afterwards
Deck of side quests
It is a deck of small dares and errands, so it gets used and leaves nothing behind.
Checked November 11:$19.00at Uncommon GoodsSold and sent by Uncommon Goods. Usually ships within 24 hours. - 3
A step up: The top of the limit, for when you want yours to look generous
Mason jar indoor herb garden
It is a small living thing, not another object, and it suits any kitchen windowsill.
Checked November 11:$20.00at Uncommon GoodsSold and sent by Uncommon Goods. Usually ships within 24 hours.
Some picks are sold and delivered by other shops; the button takes you to them. If you buy through one of those links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never decides what we pick. How we make money.
Everything that fits, checked November 11
| No. | Item | Photo | Why it fits | Price, stock, arrives by | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Self-warming steam eye masks, 5 pack, unscented |  |
Five warm, dark eye masks that heat themselves: no cables, no batteries, nothing left over. | Checked November 11:$15.99In stockArrives by Thu, Nov 19 if ordered todayFor Christmas, order by Wed, Dec 16 | |
| 2 | GlobalGiving gift card |
A GlobalGiving card they give to a charity project of their choice. | Checked November 11:$10.00at GlobalGivingGiven through GlobalGiving. Sent by email (or print at home); nothing is posted. | See it at GlobalGiving | |
| 3 | Fuzzy knee-high lounge socks |  |
Long fuzzy socks for the sofa: one size, worn at home all winter. | Checked November 11:$18.99In stockArrives by Mon, Nov 23 if ordered todayFor Christmas, order by Mon, Dec 14 | |
| 4 | Animal clip-on booklight |
A clip-on reading light shaped like an animal. | Checked November 11:$14.00at Uncommon GoodsSold and sent by Uncommon Goods. Usually ships within 24 hours. | See it at Uncommon Goods | |
| 5 | Game of Ur (portable) |
A portable version of the ancient Royal Game of Ur. | Checked November 11:$16.00at Uncommon GoodsSold and sent by Uncommon Goods. Usually ships within 24 hours. | See it at Uncommon Goods | |
| 6 | Murder mystery jigsaw puzzle |
A jigsaw that hides a murder mystery to solve. | Checked November 11:$20.00at Uncommon GoodsSold and sent by Uncommon Goods. Usually ships within 24 hours. | See it at Uncommon Goods | |
| 7 | Recycled coffee yarn socks |
Socks knitted from recycled coffee-cup yarn. | Checked November 11:$14.00at Uncommon GoodsSold and sent by Uncommon Goods. Usually ships within 24 hours. | See it at Uncommon Goods |
What's a good Secret Santa gift for someone you don't know?
Something any adult would use. Cozy socks, a rechargeable hand warmer or an insulated tumbler suits whoever you drew. None of them needs a size or says anything about the person.
Secret Santa gifts for coworkers
Keep it office-safe. A desk gadget, a book light or a milk frother gets a good reaction and offends nobody. If you would not open it in front of your manager, do not wrap it.
Secret Santa gifts for a man you drew and barely know
A multitool or a hand warmer is the easy answer. Useful, compact and nothing to read into.
Funny Secret Santa gifts that are still safe
A party card game for adults gets the laugh and then gets played. It is funny for the room, which is safer than funny at one person's expense.
Questions people ask
- What do you get for a 20 dollar Secret Santa?
- A small useful thing like cozy socks, a hand warmer or a desk gadget. Prices are shown live on each pick, so you can see what fits the limit.
- Will it arrive before our Secret Santa?
- Each item shows the date it arrives by. If the date is after your exchange, pick a different one or see our last-minute page.
- What should you not give for Secret Santa at work?
- Anything personal, rude or that needs a size. Keep it useful and friendly and you are fine.
Sources
- Prices, stock and delivery times: our own catalogue, from the warehouse's figures, checked November 11 and rechecked hourly
- USPS: holiday shipping dates (holidays with no deliveries are skipped in arrival dates)
- OPM: US federal holidays (holidays with no deliveries are skipped in arrival dates)
- How to check us
More situations
- Gifts for the person who has everything
- What to get someone who doesn't want anything
- Gifts for someone you don't know well
- White elephant gifts under $25
- Gifts for in-laws
- Gifts for your boss and coworkers
- Last minute gifts that still arrive in time
Last checked November 11, 2026. When prices, stock or delivery times change we update this page and its date.