Best Secret Santa Gift Ideas Under £20 You Can Buy Online

Fun, Cosy and Quirky Picks for Every Personality

Secret Santa can be brilliant or painfully awkward. With a budget under £20 and the pressure to buy something thoughtful for someone you barely know, it’s easy to panic-buy a mug or candle at the last minute. The good news is that £20 goes a very long way online, especially when you choose gifts that feel personal, cosy and genuinely useful.

And because Sock Geeks specialises in small-but-mighty gifts that spark joy, we know exactly what works for Secret Santa. Whether you're shopping for a colleague, a friend or someone whose entire personality you only know from their email signature, this guide gives you the best ideas under £20, all available online.

How to Choose a Great Secret Santa Gift Under £20

A successful Secret Santa gift is usually:
• Universal enough that almost anyone would enjoy it
• A little bit special so it feels like a treat
• Something they’ll actually use
• Easy to wrap and easy to give in a group setting

If you know nothing about the person, cosy or tasty gifts are your safest bets. If you know a little more, lean into their interests.

Sock Geeks The Secret Santa Hero Gift

Socks are the perfect Secret Santa present because they’re personal without being too personal, universally useful and very easy to get right under £20. At Sock Geeks, you’ll find:
• Personality-matched designs
• Ultra-soft, breathable cotton blends
• Ready-to-gift boxes
• Surprise subscription options

Shop all Sock Geeks socks at 
Explore themed and personality collections at Sock geeks Collections
Find letterbox-ready sock gift sets ideal for Secret Santa at Letter box gifts
Gifts for men under £20 at 
Subscription and gift page 

A single pair of premium sock-geek socks, or a mini gift box, feels thoughtful without blowing the budget. Pair them with chocolate, tea or a gadget, and you’ve created a Secret Santa gift people actually want.

Best Secret Santa Gift Ideas Under £20

Cosy Night-In Gifts

Perfect for winter gifting and universally appreciated.

• Hot chocolate gift sets from Cocoba

• Luxury hot chocolate and festive drinks from Whittard

• Soy candle gift sets at Amazon

• Gifts under £20 including candles and essential oil blend

• Tea gift sets from Whittard

• Herbal tea gifts under £15 from Bird & Blend

Pair cosy tea with Sock Geeks socks for a perfect night-in bundle.

Gifts for Foodies

Edible gifts rarely fail and feel premium without costing much.

• Highland Chocolatier artisan chocolate

Rumsey’s handmade chocolate boxes
https://www.rumseys.co.uk/

• Shortbread House of Edinburgh original recipe tins
https://shortbreadhouse.co.uk/collections/shortbread/original-recipe

• Ringtons biscuit gift boxes
https://www.ringtons.co.uk/collections/biscuit-gifts

• Biscuit gift tins at John Lewis
https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/gifts/gift-food-alcohol/biscuits/_/N-2q3pZo1wf

Pair a biscuit tin with cosy socks for the happiest winter combo.

Desk and Office Gifts

Great for coworkers and easy to give in a workplace setting.

• Desk-friendly plants from Bloombox Club

• Notebooks and journals from Waterstones

• Diaries and stationery under £20 from Busy B

Add a pair of office-friendly socks and you've created a simple "Workday Upgrade" gift.

Self-Care and Relaxation Gifts

Secret Santa is the perfect excuse to give someone permission to relax.

• Bath bomb sets under £20

• Candle and scent gifts under £20

Pair spa socks from Sock Geeks with a bath set for a cosy pampering present.

Eco-Friendly Gifts

Great for sustainability-minded colleagues or students.

• KeepCup reusable coffee cup

Sustainable bamboo socks sock designs make the perfect companion gift from SirLuxe Socks

Fun and Ice-Breaker Gifts

Ideal for coworkers, game lovers or office parties.

• Bananagrams (Waterstones)

Stationery & Little Extras Under £10–£20

Tiny gifts that feel thoughtful and premium.

• Notebooks and journals at John Lewis

• Discounted notebooks and pens at TK Maxx

Journal gift sets on Etsy

These pair perfectly with a single pair of luxury Sock Geeks socks.

What Not to Give in Secret Santa

Avoid overly personal gifts like perfume, political jokes, strong alcohol, grooming items or anything that risks awkwardness in front of a group. Stick to tasty, cosy, useful or playful.

Secret Santa Gift FAQ 

1. What should we gift on Secret Santa?

A great Secret Santa gift is small, thoughtful and usable. Think:

• Fun socks

• Food and drink treats

• Cosy accessories (mugs, candles, blankets)

• Desk or stationery items

• Small games or fidget toys

If in doubt, a pair of personality-matched socks plus something edible or cosy is almost always a win.

2. What would be a good Secret Santa gift under £20?

Some of the best Secret Santa gift ideas under £20 include:

• A Sock Geeks sock gift (premium patterned or cosy socks)

• A hot chocolate or tea set

• A mini game or card game for groups

• A reusable coffee cup and sachet of fancy coffee

• A self-care bundle (socks, face mask, candle)

Under £20, focus on one hero item or a small bundle that feels like a curated experience rather than random bits.

3. What are some Secret Santa gifts under £10?

Under £10, keep it simple but special:

• One pair of fun or festive socks

• A single-origin chocolate bar

• A cute mug or mini plant

• A puzzle book (crosswords, sudoku, word searches)

• A small notebook and pen

Presentation matters: tissue paper, ribbon and a short handwritten message can make a £7 gift feel like a £20 gift.

4. What are some popular Secret Santa gifts?

The most popular Secret Santa gifts tend to be:

• Socks – especially premium or novelty ones

• Food gifts – chocolate, biscuits, coffee, tea, hot chocolate

• Mugs, bottles and desk accessories

• Candles and self-care items

• Small games and party games

These work because they suit a wide range of personalities and are easy to appreciate without knowing someone deeply.

5. What tiny inexpensive gifts are good for Secret Santa?

Tiny gifts (sometimes called stocking fillers or little extras) are perfect when your budget is very small or you want to add something to a main gift. Ideas include:

• Mini socks or ankle socks

• Hot chocolate sachets or tea pyramids

• Fun bookmarks

• Mini hand creams or lip balms

• Keyrings, pins or stickers

You can pair a tiny extra with a pair of socks and still stay under £20.

6. What is a great gift that costs nothing (or almost nothing)?

If your budget is close to zero – or you want to add something thoughtful to a low-cost gift – you can give:

• A handwritten note with specific, genuine appreciation (“5 things I like about working with you”)

• A home-baked treat in a little paper bag or tin

• A playlist link curated just for them

• A voucher you create yourself (e.g. “I’ll buy you coffee in January” or “One lift to work on a rainy day”)

Even when you’re spending money on the gift, adding a small personal touch can turn a simple pair of socks or a chocolate bar into a truly memorable Secret Santa present.

Final Thought

With £20 and a little creativity, you can give a Secret Santa gift that feels thoughtful, fun and genuinely useful. And if you’re ever stuck, the Sock Geeks rule never fails: start with great socks, then add one small treat. Your giftee will love it.