How to buy the best Secret Santa gift

It is nearly that time of the year again. I don’t mean simply Christmas I mean the Christmas work parties. These days to lower the costs of having to buy all your work colleagues a present many companies have decided to opt for the secret Santa route.


The way secret Santa works is everyone’s name who is taking part goes into a hat or similar vessel and you each pull out a name. Whoever’s name you pull out is the person you need to buy a present for. Then at the Christmas party or a suitable time the presents are handed out with only the recipient’s name on and the point is they don’t know who bought them the present, thus they have a secret Santa.


When it comes to secret Santa you can end up with someone you know really well so it is simple to buy them a gift they will really like. But, what happens if you end up with someone you don’t know very well? Here at A1 gifts we have some great secret Santa ideas to help you find the ideal present.


Before you start looking at what you can buy him or her think about what you do know about them. Have you heard about them talking about any hobbies or interests? Or perhaps you know their favourite colour? Whatever you know about them use it to your advantage. If you really don’t know much about them then ask some of your colleagues or anyone you see talking to them. But, remember this is for the secret Santa so be subtle don’t just randomly launch into; “So what is…. Like? What do they enjoy doing?” if you do this it will be obvious who you picked out of the hat.


Another idea to decide on the perfect secret Santa gift is to have a look at their desk area. I don’t mean poking around in the drawers, I mean just look at their desk; do they have lots of photos on it? Or perhaps drawings? The way someone decorates their desk will give you some idea into their personality.


Once you have got an idea of what he or she is like then consider whether you want to buy a practical secret Santa gift, funny gift or perhaps something edible? If you work in an office and his or her desk appears quite bare then a nice secret Santa gift may be a gift for the office to go on his or her desk space.


If you really don’t know what to buy him or her, a bottle of wine or beer is often a safe option. Alternatively, if he or she does not drink you could buy them some nice chocolate. These all tend to go down well especially at an office party.


Remember you are a secret Santa so don’t approach your recipient and start asking lots of questions about their life because then they will suspect and work out that you are his or her Santa.