Secret Santa gifts under £20: 10 ideas that work for almost anyone
Secret Santa is hard because you often barely know the person. The trick is to choose something most people will enjoy, use up or put on their desk, not a joke that ends up in the bin. Here are 10 ideas that were under £20 on Amazon.co.uk when we checked.
Quick picks
- Best for anyoneLindt Lindor assorted chocolate truffles, 337g boxCheck price
- Best festive giftYankee Candle Christmas Cookie small jar candleCheck price
- Best for the deskLEGO Botanicals Happy Plants (10349)Check price
- Best brain teaserRubik's Cube, the original 3x3Check price
- Best for game loversExploding Kittens Original Edition card gameCheck price
- Best gadgetLife360 Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker, 1-packCheck price
- Best for whisky drinkersFLOW Barware whisky stones gift set: 9 granite stones, tongs and wooden boxCheck price
- Best small pamper giftBurt's Bees lip balm gift set in a honey jar: Beeswax, Pomegranate and Hibiscus tintedCheck price
- Best vegan pamper setSanctuary Spa Me Time Minis gift setCheck price
- Best keepsake tinBaylis & Harding Signature luxury pamper tin gift setCheck price
How we chose: We picked popular gifts on Amazon.co.uk from well-known brands that were under £20 when we checked in October 2026, favouring things most adults would use or enjoy over novelty items. We checked each listing's contents, size, age guidance and seller, and looked for recurring themes in Amazon.co.uk owner feedback. We left out items where owners reported frequent leaks or breakages. Prices change constantly before Christmas, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy. We have not personally tested these products; this is a research-based roundup. Our research process.
The best Secret Santa gifts are small, a little bit nicer than everyday, and suitable for almost anyone: good chocolate, a scented candle, a LEGO set for the desk, a card game for the office party or a pamper set. If you've drawn someone you barely know, go for something they can eat, use up or pass on without guilt.
We've grouped the ideas into safe bets, fun gifts and gadgets, and pampering. Each was under £20 when we checked, but prices move a lot before Christmas, and one (Exploding Kittens) was right at the limit, so check the price before you buy. For more small ideas, see our stocking fillers for adults, and if your recipient loves cooking, our gifts for cooks guide has several smaller tools. Older teens in the family? Our gifts for teenagers has ideas at a range of budgets.
Who this guide is for: Anyone doing an office, family or friends' Secret Santa with a £20 limit, especially when you don't know the recipient well. Several ideas also work as stocking fillers, teacher gifts or thank-you presents. Buying for a dog lover? Try our gifts for dog lovers instead.
Black Friday tip: Black Friday is Friday 27 November 2026, so it’s a chance to buy presents early. Check the price history before you buy, and the returns window if it’s a gift: our Black Friday home buying guide explains how.
Comparison table
| Pick | Type | Good for | Gift note | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindt Lindor 337gBest for anyone | Chocolate | Sharing or keeping | About 26 truffles, four flavours | Check price |
| Yankee Candle small jarBest festive gift | Scented candle | Festive desk or home | Up to 30 hours' burn | Check price |
| LEGO Happy PlantsBest for the desk | LEGO building set | Desk decoration | 217 pieces; about 2 hours to build | Check price |
| Rubik's CubeBest brain teaser | Puzzle | Desks, commutes, nostalgia | Official Spin Master version | Check price |
| Exploding KittensBest for game lovers | Card game | 2–5 players, ages 7+ | 56 cards; quick to learn | Check price |
| Tile Mate trackerBest gadget | Bluetooth tracker | Keys, bags, iPhone and Android | Free app; rings to find | Check price |
| FLOW whisky stonesBest for whisky drinkers | Barware gift set | Chilling whisky without ice | Wooden box looks expensive | Check price |
| Burt's Bees lip balm jarBest small pamper gift | Lip balm set | Everyday use | Reusable glass honey jar | Check price |
| Sanctuary Spa Me Time MinisBest vegan pamper set | Bath and body set | Self-care, travel | Vegan and cruelty-free | Check price |
| Baylis & Harding pamper tinBest keepsake tin | Bath and body set | Pampering | Keepsake tin; vegan-friendly | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 20 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
Safe bets for anyone
If you know almost nothing about the person, start here. These suit most adults and won't end up in a drawer.
Lindt Lindor assorted chocolate truffles, 337g box
Best for: The safest Secret Santa there is
- Type
- Chocolate
- Good for
- Sharing or keeping
- Gift note
- About 26 truffles, four flavours
A big box of Lindor truffles in four flavours: milk, white, milk hazelnut and 60% dark. It's a generous size for a Secret Santa budget, it's easy to wrap and almost everybody likes at least one of the flavours. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners love the taste and say it's great value and good for gifting. A few received melted chocolates, so keep it somewhere cool and avoid ordering during a warm spell. Check for allergies if you can: Lindor contains milk, and the milk hazelnut truffles contain nuts.
What owners and reviewers like
- Crowd-pleaser
- Generous box
- Sold by Amazon
Watch-outs
- Not for vegans or nut allergies
- Can arrive soft in warm weather
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie small jar candle
Best for: Colleagues who love Christmas
- Type
- Scented candle
- Good for
- Festive desk or home
- Gift note
- Up to 30 hours' burn
Yankee Candle's buttery vanilla sugar-cookie scent in the classic small glass jar with a lid. Yankee says it burns for up to 30 hours and stands 8cm tall. It's an easy, festive present that most people will enjoy, though it's best avoided for people who dislike strong scents. It's sold by a third-party seller.
Owners like the look and the fragrance and say it's a good Christmas gift. Some find it small for the price and say it burns down quickly. London Fire Brigade advises never leaving a lit candle unattended and keeping it away from curtains, decorations and anything that could catch fire.
What owners and reviewers like
- Festive and easy to wrap
- Lid keeps the scent in
- Well-known brand
Watch-outs
- Small jar
- Third-party seller
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants (10349)
Best for: Office Secret Santa, plant lovers and LEGO fans
- Type
- LEGO building set
- Good for
- Desk decoration
- Gift note
- 217 pieces; about 2 hours to build
Two tiny brick-built plants, a dracaena and a pilea, in blue and yellow pots with cheerful faces. It's 217 pieces and takes about two hours to build, according to owners, so it's a fun hour or two on Boxing Day and then a desk ornament that never needs watering. It's rated 9+ and sold by Amazon.
Owners say it's good quality, easy to build with clear instructions and looks even better in person. It's a good choice for adult LEGO fans and anyone who likes plants but can't keep them alive.
What owners and reviewers like
- Fun to build
- Looks good on a desk
- Sold by Amazon
Watch-outs
- Small finished size
- Not for young children
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Rubik's Cube, the original 3x3
Best for: Puzzle fans and anyone who likes a challenge
- Type
- Puzzle
- Good for
- Desks, commutes, nostalgia
- Gift note
- Official Spin Master version
The original 3x3 cube, now made by Spin Master, with a smoother mechanism than the one you remember from school. It's a classic desk toy with a nostalgia factor, and it's cheap enough to pair with chocolate if your budget stretches. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners say it's the original as they remember it, with solid construction and smooth movement, and that it provides hours of entertainment. If your recipient can already solve one in a minute, choose something else.
What owners and reviewers like
- Classic, nostalgic gift
- Smooth turning
- Cheap
Watch-outs
- Frustrating for some
- Speedcubers will already have a better one
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Fun and gadgets
For the office joker, the gadget fan or the whisky drinker. These are a bit more personal, so use them when you know a little about the person.
Exploding Kittens Original Edition card game
Best for: Families, flatmates and office parties
- Type
- Card game
- Good for
- 2–5 players, ages 7+
- Gift note
- 56 cards; quick to learn
A fast, silly card game of feline Russian roulette with illustrations by The Oatmeal. It's for two to five players (up to nine with two decks) and takes minutes to learn. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners say it's easy to learn and quick to play, and families love it. Some say it gets repetitive after a few games. It was right at the £20 limit when we checked, so check the price first. If it's gone over, the smaller Exploding Kittens Grab & Game in our stocking fillers guide is cheaper.
What owners and reviewers like
- Quick, funny game
- Works for all ages
- Sold by Amazon
Watch-outs
- Right at the £20 limit
- Repetitive for some
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Life360 Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker, 1-pack
Best for: People who are always losing their keys
- Type
- Bluetooth tracker
- Good for
- Keys, bags, iPhone and Android
- Gift note
- Free app; rings to find
A small Bluetooth tag that clips to keys or a bag. Ring it from the Tile or Life360 app to find it, see its last known location on a map, or press the Tile to make a silenced phone ring. Unlike an AirTag, it works with both iPhone and Android, and it's sold by Amazon.
Owners find it easy to set up and useful for forgetful people. Range and connection get mixed comments, as it relies on Bluetooth, and some say the keyring loop broke. Basic features are free in the app; some extras need a Tile subscription.
What owners and reviewers like
- Works with iPhone and Android
- Find your phone too
- Small and light
Watch-outs
- Limited Bluetooth range
- Some extras need a subscription
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
FLOW Barware whisky stones gift set: 9 granite stones, tongs and wooden box
Best for: Whisky drinkers who hate watered-down drinks
- Type
- Barware gift set
- Good for
- Chilling whisky without ice
- Gift note
- Wooden box looks expensive
Nine granite cubes that go in the freezer and chill a drink without diluting it, presented in a wooden box with a velvet pouch and stainless-steel tongs. Freeze them for 5–6 hours before use. It's sold by a third-party seller.
Owners say they're well made and look much more expensive than they are, which makes them a good-looking present. Opinions on how cold they keep a drink are mixed, as stones never chill as much as ice.
What owners and reviewers like
- Looks like a premium gift
- No dilution
- Reusable
Watch-outs
- Less cold than ice
- Third-party seller
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Pampering gifts
Pamper sets are popular Secret Santa gifts. Choose gentle, widely liked scents, and check for allergies if you can.
Burt's Bees lip balm gift set in a honey jar: Beeswax, Pomegranate and Hibiscus tinted
Best for: Anyone with dry winter lips
- Type
- Lip balm set
- Good for
- Everyday use
- Gift note
- Reusable glass honey jar
Three lip balms, Beeswax, Pomegranate and a Hibiscus tinted balm, in a little reusable glass honey jar. Lip balm is one of the few beauty gifts that almost everyone uses in winter, and the jar makes it look like more than a pharmacy buy. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners love the jar, the smell and the value. Several say it's smaller than they expected, so you might pair it with chocolate if your budget allows.
What owners and reviewers like
- Something they'll use
- Pretty jar
- Sold by Amazon
Watch-outs
- Smaller than some expect
- Contains beeswax, so not vegan
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Sanctuary Spa Me Time Minis gift set
Best for: Colleagues who like a long bath
- Type
- Bath and body set
- Good for
- Self-care, travel
- Gift note
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Travel-sized versions of three Sanctuary Spa favourites: a 50ml body scrub, a 75ml body wash and a 75ml body lotion, in the signature jasmine, grapefruit and vanilla scent. Sanctuary says its products are vegan and cruelty-free. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners say it looks lovely as a gift and is good value, and they like the fragrance. Some find the sizes smaller than expected.
What owners and reviewers like
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Nicely packaged
- Travel sizes
Watch-outs
- Small bottles
- Scent won't suit everyone
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Baylis & Harding Signature luxury pamper tin gift set
Best for: A festive-looking present that feels generous
- Type
- Bath and body set
- Good for
- Pampering
- Gift note
- Keepsake tin; vegan-friendly
Body wash, shower crème, body butter and body scrub in a creamy vanilla, jojoba and almond oil scent, packed in a decorative keepsake tin that needs no extra wrapping. The formulas are vegan-friendly. Baylis & Harding is a British brand. Packaging may vary from the photos. It's sold by Amazon.
Owners say it's a lovely gift and good value, and they like the look and fragrance. It contains almond oil, so avoid it for anyone with a nut allergy.
What owners and reviewers like
- Four products in a keepsake tin
- Looks generous
- Sold by Amazon
Watch-outs
- Packaging may vary
- Contains almond oil
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
How to choose a Secret Santa gift for someone you barely know
- Consumable beats clutter: chocolate, candles, lip balm and bath products get used up, so they never become a burden.
- Neutral beats personal: avoid clothes sizes, strong opinions and in-jokes unless you know the person well.
- Check the vibe: some offices like silly gifts, others prefer something useful. If in doubt, go useful.
- Watch for allergies and diets: food allergies can be serious (the Food Standards Agency has advice for consumers), so check labels and ask the organiser if you can.
- Include a gift receipt: it makes swapping easy.
Stick to the budget. Going well over can make other people feel awkward, and going well under can look like you forgot. If something drops in price, add a small extra like a chocolate bar rather than spending the saving on something bigger.
Gift ideas by recipient
| If they’re… | Try |
|---|---|
| A total mystery | Lindor truffles or the Yankee Candle |
| Into games and puzzles | Exploding Kittens or the Rubik’s Cube |
| Always losing keys | Tile Mate |
| A whisky drinker | FLOW whisky stones |
| In need of a break | Sanctuary Spa or Baylis & Harding |
| A plant or LEGO fan | LEGO Happy Plants |
| A keen cook | See our gifts for cooks for smaller tools |
Returns, delivery and timing
Citizens Advice explains that when you buy online you usually get a 14-day cooling-off period starting the day after delivery, but there are exceptions, such as food and other things that deteriorate quickly, and items with a broken hygiene seal. Because the 14 days start when the item arrives, buying early can mean the return window has closed by the time your recipient opens it, so check the seller's own Christmas returns policy, and include a gift receipt.
Order by early December if you can. Several picks here are sold by third-party sellers with their own delivery times, and popular gifts sell out. Chocolate and candles are best kept somewhere cool once they arrive.
Black Friday and Secret Santa
Small gifts like these rarely get big Black Friday discounts, and prices often move by only a pound or two. If your Secret Santa draw has already happened, it's fine to buy now. For bigger Christmas purchases, our Black Friday buying guide explains how to spot a genuine deal.
FAQs
What is a good Secret Santa gift under £20?
Something most people will enjoy or use up: a big box of Lindor truffles, a Yankee Candle, a LEGO Botanicals set, a card game like Exploding Kittens or a pamper set. Check the price before buying, as it changes often.
What should you not buy for Secret Santa?
Avoid gifts that could offend or embarrass, joke gifts that will be thrown away, clothes in a guessed size and food when you don't know about allergies or dietary needs.
Is it OK to spend under £20?
Yes, as long as the gift feels thoughtful. Spending a little under is fine; spending well over the limit can make others feel awkward.
What's a good unisex Secret Santa gift?
Chocolate, a LEGO Botanicals set, a Rubik's Cube, a card game or a Tile tracker suit almost anyone regardless of gender.
Can my recipient return a Secret Santa gift?
Usually, if you include a gift receipt and it's within the seller's returns period. Citizens Advice notes there's no automatic right to return something that isn't faulty after the cooling-off period, and food that deteriorates quickly is excluded, so it's down to the seller's policy.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through our links, Amazon may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which products we include. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Sources we consulted
- Citizens Advice: changing your mind about something you've bought
- Food Standards Agency: food allergy and intolerance
- London Fire Brigade: candle safety
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, tell us.
