Secret Santa Ideas for $15 or Less

Hi Ozbargain family.
I am looking for ideas for a cool work secret santa present to the value of $15 that won't contribute to land fill the day after they receive it. My secret santa is female and I believe in her late 20's and I have never met her before. Something I can't be sacked for.
Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • +10

    Lego. Always.

    • Oh love it, thanks!

    • +1

      Or Nanoblocks

  • +4

    some sort of interesting coffee mug, can be used at work then as well

    • +1

      How about a succulent. (Like this)
      Depending on the workplace she could keep it at her work area.

      • +2

        Put googley eyes on it. Maybe dress it up as a Bulbasaur?

  • donald trump toilet paper from catch.

    • +5

      The receiver would be contributing twice as much shit down the toilet if you gifted that.

      • The "nutella" toilet paper is better ; )

  • +6

    The Barefoot Investor

    • +1

      I gave that to someone last year. She loved it and mentioned Scott is very good. Was a bit hesitant at first as I thought gifting it would imply they're not too good with money.

  • Check Kmart range for Secret Santa…some nice simple items…

  • +6

    Bottle of wine…….can't go wrong!

    • +6

      Unless you draw Teetotalling Tommy who trots off to HR to create a stink …

      • lol

      • Should have been 'trots off to throw a tantrum' :)

    • Can go very wrong. The amount of moscatos and sweet Riesling I get is insane. I can't touch the stuff. Can't even cook with it. Usually ends up in the bin.
      Especially annoying when you factor in i drink dry red or dry Riesling.

      • Repackage and give to someone else. I'll take it!

        • I really should instead of forgetting about them and leaving them on the dashboard to go bad. So much waste. At one restaurant I was working at the owner gave me a whole 12 pack of prosecco he couldn't move for Christmas. Really would have just preferred a single lone beer instead of the 12 bottles that went bad because I forgot about them in the boot of the car.

    • Oh yes you can

  • +3

    Wireless powerbank (phone charger).
    Though looking at prices I'm seeing $20.

  • +1

    Self Stirring Mug

  • +1

    Chocolate box from good quality chocolate store. It will be small but will be appreciated.

    • Hand made chocolates are better but as it's getting hot stopping chocolates from going off is hard.

      • get permission to buy, and wrap, at last minute. should be ok, especially if air conditioned office.

        • insulated bag and wrap ice cubes in paper towel and place inside the insulated bag together with choices.. just make sure they don't melt

    • Godiva 25% off or Lindt 50% - Black Friday Sale

  • +1

    Is a popcorn maker a bit lame?

    • +4

      a little

    • +11

      More rubbish in the kitchen that takes up space and gets used twice a year… no thanks!

      • Fondue set in that case

        • or those awful chocolate fountains. What a waste of chocolate those things are.

          • @try2bhelpful: Yes, I was gifted one of those and it's still sitting in the box. It's not even something I would be comfortable re-gifting, as it would be equally as useless to the next person.

      • -7

        A "friend" once gave us a cheap k-mart type juice dispenser with metal-looking plastic dispense button (you know the kind). This was not for christmas, but because they came over for dinner at our place. Like, WTF should I do with that piece of crap?! I wanted to smash his head with that thing, but just told him that there's no need for gifts when we invite them in the future (we won't). I've kept that thing in the garage, and will return it to him one day (Christmas is just around the corner).

    • Yes.

  • +2

    Good olive oil and maybe some good bread/balsamic. Wrap it in cellophane or tissue paper like a hamper. Even if they don't use it as intended the oil vinegar and bread will eventually get used.

  • +2

    Sign them up for some udemy courses.

    • +8

      Who are you, Satan?

  • +5

    I think it's a toss up between the Trump toilet paper and the Mug. I might play it safe and go for the toilet paper.

    • Good choice. Everybody hates Trump.

  • +5

    $14 in cash

    • GST'ed eh?

      • That would hardly make it $14. unclesnake just being a tightarse I'd say.

  • +2

    Succulent or small indoor plants, gift card for a cafe nearby so she can get a couple of coffees, Netflix gift card, nice chocolates.

  • +1

    Being among academics, I give a
    Dymocks book voucher. Not funky, but always appreciated.

  • Eneloop batteries and a lid that stirs nut butter.

  • +2

    A packet of luxury printed serviettes from a gift shop. Choose Kath Kitson type print for female you don’t know.
    A linen drying up cloth.
    A bar of shampoo from eg Lush
    Chocolates from eg koko black
    Supoon (I managed to find one last year for $13) (https://wheelandbarrow.com.au/scraping-spoon-supoon-large-re…) but I wouldn’t go for red - choose blue, green or pink or yellow
    A net produce bag (to use instead of plastic bags for fresh fruit etc at the supermarket)
    Dual port USB charger ($10 Kmart, officeworks) - I’m crazy about these!

    • The Dreamfarm stuff is good, have a bunch of the range. The Mini Supoon has been getting the most use lately, so just bought a few more as well as the Smood Lite which does a good job also.

      Myer has 30% off if you buy 2 or more (of anything across whole kitchenware/barware etc range) so can get a couple of Mini's for $6.96 each or the Supoon for $10.47.

    • Shampoo soap is better from The Source Bulk Food.

    • Btw, I meant paper serviettes

  • https://www.thetileapp.com/en-us/store/tiles/sticker

    Hi. You can buy a 4 or 8 pack of the tile stickers …. split into
    Individuals and have 8 AMAZINGLY USEFUL Christmas gifts!!
    I bought the PRO tiles recently for myself (phone and purse) and 3 extras as gifts for my mum, dad and sister who are overseas. Has saved so much time when forget where left keys - highly recommend a “sticker” too as bought 4 pack to stick on headphones and the tv remote :-)

    Definitely won’t be thrown in bin.

    • Some of them are not a replaceable battery. Just something to keep in mind when choosing. They do look a good idea though.

      • Hi. Yes, good point. I did buy the PRO because they DO have replaceable battery. Don't know how much time the tile has saved me re car keys (try put on hook when come home but not always). One day I went into room I don't normally go into and keys fell between sofa and a beanbag…….. I've no idea how long it would've taken me to find keys (on the way out the door of course was when I went to get them). Can't recommend highly enough.

    • I was having this idea too,but didn't had a knowhow or resources to translate it into a product. Wouldnt it be cheaper with NFC stickers ? Off you need a NFC phone capable to use with it

  • +1

    Have been putting a list together myself this week… Don't know who it will be so working on a unisex one

    A keep cup
    S/S Water Bottle
    Cotton String Bag
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/all-set-40cm-cotton-string-shopp…
    You can always pay $12 for better quality
    Reusable Coffee Cup
    https://thesourcebulkfoods.com.au/shop/coffee-tea/the-source…

  • a sack of fertiliser then an apology gift card worth $15

  • +6

    32 pack of toilet paper. Honestly this got the biggest laugh at my last Christmas party.

  • I got a diffuser. Was cheap and the bonus was it was discounted

  • +2

    A handsome portrait of myself.

  • Came here for the funny comments, but there were none.
    Just stretch the budget to $20 and get an ebay voucher, let her buy whatever she wants.

  • +3

    SanDisk Ultra 64GB Micro SDXC Memory Card $13 @ Officeworks

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/498295?utm_source=newslett…

  • Lotto ticket

    • Don’t forget to sign your name at the back…

  • toothpaste, cotton buds and toilet paper.

  • Magnetic Levitating Globe

  • Pop in to Kmart. They’ll have plenty good for $15

  • Blue tooth speakers

  • Loving all the ideas, thanks guys.

  • $14.99 Big W voucher

  • Pretty nylon shopping bag to keep in her handbag. I love them and use them all the time but can't justify one of the expensive prints when the plain ones are only $1 in Woolworths. I would love to receive one of them in a secret santa though.

    This is the kind of bag I'm talking about:
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-LOQI-Shopping-Bag-Wild-Colle…

    You tend to find them near the counter in gift and kitchen shops.

    Edit: this one is lovely if you happen to be in Sydney (to avoid the ridiculous postage) https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-LOQI-Naito-Collection-Hummin…

    • I just bought this for my secret santa as well, they are good.

      But since OP is in Brisbane he can easily grab one from the Monsterthreads shop in the CBD for $14.95

  • big or small, girl or boy, lego won't fail -_-

    • My 58 year old partner just bought himself a meccano set, he is having a ball with it.

  • +1

    Tea? T2 stuff comes packed quite nicely.

    Phone accessories like ring holders or pop sockets, earphones - wired or Bluetooth, cord detangler/winder, holder, power bank, charms. Bluetooth speakers like someone else has said earlier. Typo has cute cord clips or protectors. Some people love phone covers and change all the time, but that requires you knowing the make and model.

    Something usable in the office? Notepads or magnetic board, magnets can come in all shapes and sizes, stationery, sharpies, stickers.

    Otherwise, would probably recommend finding out something about the recipient to tailor the gift.

  • +1

    Just check the Kris Kringle section on Catch of the Day. Easy as.

    • Too bad everything is +$6.95 shipping on Catch, or ~$3.43 for out of the way Target pickup in my case. Thanks for the pointer though - ordered a cheap cheese board set for a lucky co-worker for $17.71.

  • +1

    I bought a Xiaomi powerbank last year which was very well received. They was a 10,000 on here for around $15 a few days ago

    • Some businesses provide their own.. They did in my last job.

  • Wholesale box of Mi Goreng (40 packs in one box) should be $15 at the Asian grocer.

  • Set of reuseable ‘produce bags’ (to put fruit and veges in at the shops to cut down on plastic bags), or silicon lids to use instead of gladwrap? You might even be able to get both on amazon or eBay for less than $15

  • 15 packs of 4 chair covers from astivita. Who doesnt want 60 chair covers lol.

  • A workmate of mine once got a can of coke wrapped with scratchies ticket. we all thought it’s a pretty fun secret santa gift (Note: I don’t condone gambling, I just never bought scratchies, I secretly wished I received that secret santa gift)

    For a more practical gift, I once received a mini multitool (hammer, screwdriver, pliers). Everyone at the office borrows this to fix their monitor, laptop, etc.

  • A nice apron.

    • Fr $15 you will not get anything nice

      • +2

        Then a shit apron.

        • Gift voucher is better

  • I don't even know what to get 2 out of my 3 kids, how am I supposed to know what to get a complete stranger?

    Secret santa is just a scam anyway. Why should I buy a present for someone that I don't know and don't care about? The worst part is when you have to look excited and masked your disappointment when you open your present.

    Thankfully, we no longer have this tradition at our workplace. We get to choose between a diary or vouchers for the local Cafe. Much better.

    • +5

      One year I just got everyone to put in the dollar amount and everyone nominated a charity. We then drew out the person's name, from a hat, and they got to donate the money to their charity and pocket the tax return.

  • One thing to remember is that Secret Santa is never 'secret' for long, everyone always ends up finding out who got what for who.

  • I have now found out she is into health and fitness, so any new related gift ideas?

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