5 cheap secret Santa gifts: Lovable and Attractive Gifts

Every Christmas, millions of workplaces and families take part in a secret Santa gift exchange. So, what is a secret Santa gift exchange? Secret Santa is a tradition most common in the United States and Canada. It is when a family, group or community participate in a random draw where everyone’s name in entered. Whoever picks your name is your secret Santa and must give you a gift for Christmas. Likewise, the name that you draw is the person which you must purchase a gift for. 

So, you most often will be giving a gift to someone and receiving a gift from someone else. The identity of the person who gives you the gift is kept secret. Very often, there is a limit agreed upon by the group as to how much you should spend on the gift. Quite often, this limit is $5, $10 or $20, depending on the type of group. If the group is a large family of people, then there may be no set limit in place as to how much can be spent on a gift.

So, what are the criteria for a great secret Santa gift? Something inexpensive, preferably small and something they will actually enjoy or use. It isn’t really that hard when you consider personalized gifts are available for around $10 or $20, and there’s a real plethora of them. Choosing something that is personalized or customized for the recipient is a wise idea, as it shows you put some time and thought into choosing the gift, rather than just going to a store and getting something off the shelf. A personalized gift is the perfect secret Santa gift, as it is unique to them. It is basically one-of-a-kind, therefore it will be impressive at a small cost. Read on to find out some great ideas for your next secret Santa gift exchange.

Personalized Pocket Watches

You might think that personalized pocket watches would be way out of the budget of most secret Santa exchanges, but you would be wrong. In fact, there’s a wide range of pricing for pocket watches, and it all depends on what it’s made of. On the lowest end, you can find a pocket watch that includes engraving for under $20, and a nice looking one too. Or if you have more in your budget, you will be spoiled for choice as there’s a wide range of styles available if you pay between $20 and $40. 

You might even be able to get a fancier model with more embellishments and even gold plating or from a designer maker. Pocket watches are certainly a unique and handy gift and come with a nice presentation box so you don’t need to worry too much about the wrapping.

Personalized Zippo Lighters

If you drew the name of a smoker, then you might have gotten lucky, as Zippo lighters are a sure-fire gift idea for any smoker. Every smoker can use another lighter, so it is a useful and practical gift idea, not to mention surprisingly inexpensive. You might think the brand name Zippo would equal greater expense, but it doesn’t, as you can find a wide array of different styles and colors of Zippo lighters available at a great price. 

They usually run between $15 and $40, smack dab in the middle of most secret Santa budgets. There is plenty of space on the lighter for engraving as well, with lots of options for what to engrave, from their first name, last name or a special quote or message. Like other gifts I mentioned, lighters typically come in a nice box or case which makes for an impressive presentation.

Personalized Jewelry Boxes

Here’s a gift that is perfect for women. It’s great as a gift for sisters, mothers, female friends and grandmothers. A personalized jewelry box makes for an impressive presentation and usually comes in a nice gift box, making it easy for you to give without a need for additional wrapping or bows. Also, there’s many different styles of jewelry boxes that can be engraved and customized in some way. 

They are also available within most secret Santa budgets, ranging between $20 to $30. A jewelry box you can choose as a Christmas present for mom who wants nothing also has plenty of space for engravings, such as a first name on the outside and a special message from you or simple Christmas wishes on the inside. There’s even jewelry box options available for men, as they need to keep their watches, rings and cufflinks nice and tidy too!

Personalized Cufflinks

Cufflinks are a great gift choice if you are tasked with giving a gift to a teen boy or a man. Every man needs a good pair of cufflinks and if they are a business man, they might have many pairs in their wardrobe and can certainly use some more. Cufflinks are also easily personalized. You can choose a pair that is smooth on top and features his initials or choose a pair with more embellishment and wording. 

Personalized cufflinks usually range from between $15 to $30 if you choose a stainless-steel pair. Cufflinks also typically come in a nice box which makes for a great presentation of your gift. They will certainly think you spent more than the limit.

Personalized Picture Frames

A picture frame is an already good secret Santa gift, but you can make it a great secret Santa gift by choosing to personalize it. Picture frames that can be personalized usually come in wood so it can be carved or in stainless steel so it can be etched. A picture frame that has been personalized for the recipient will be a hit for just about any age, whether it’s for a grandparent, sibling, parents, co-workers, friends or schoolmates, everyone has pictures that they might like to feature on a wall or their desk. A personalized picture frame can be engraved on the frame with names, dates, quotes or a special holiday greeting. Make it an extra special gift by placing a treasured picture inside of it before wrapping it up.

Wrapping Up: 

So, who doesn't like to participate in a secret Santa exchange? Choose cheap secret Santa gifts from the above list and surprise your friends and family with unique and touching gifts.