Punkee’s Christmas Gift Guide: The Very Best Secret Santa Presents Under $30

I adore Christmas. Candy cane hot chocolates with the fam, festive tunes, delicious food and twinkly fairy lights – what’s better than that? However, there’s one thing that fills me with dread: picking out the perfect Secret Santa gift.

If you’re lumped with a coworker that you don’t know that well, should you go for a gag gift, or stick to something safe? Is a gift card too generic or is it what everyone secretly hopes for? I’ve trawled my way through the well, overwhelming offering of pressies that exist, to help you out.

The Very Best Secret Santa Presents Under $30

Butterboy x Pepe Saya Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, $24 from Pepe Saya

Hear me out – while cookie dough isn’t a traditional Secret Santa gift, most people would be stoked to unwrap this bad boy. It’s warm, gooey, buttery and crunchy: everything you want for Christmas.

Zodiac Candle, $19.99 from Typo

When your Secret Santa recipient opens this gift they’re likely to gasp. It’s personalised, fun, and can take your Co-Star friendship to the next level. I think it goes without saying, but if you don’t know their star sign, please don’t just choose one at random and hope for the best.

HOYTS Gift Cards, $30 from HOYTS

If you want to play it safe, a HOYTS gift card is a real crowd-pleaser. Sure, a lewd mug may elicit a few laughs when unwrapped, but we all know Brenda from Accounts will steal it anyway. With movies like Wonka, Wish and Anyone But You hitting cinemas in December, it’s a pressie that your Secret Santa recipient actually wants. I guarantee that everybody will be jealous of this choice.

A Cup Of Coffee & A Meal To Those In Need, $5-30 from OzHarvest

For those who have seemingly everything (I’m looking at those managers who… wait, what do they actually do again?) here’s an alternative to gifting more *stuff* to clutter up their mansions. A $5 donation will allow OzHarvest to donate 10 meals to people in need, and your recipient will get their caffeine fix. A win for everybody involved.

Sweets & Treats Pear & Cherry Essential Gift, $30 from The Body Shop

You can’t go wrong with a hamper from The Body Shop. Their products smell so scrumptious and this fruity treat is super festive. The gorgeous shower gels are infused with aloe vera to soothe the skin, and to add some luxury, the rich Body Butters contain moisturising shea butter from Ghana. It almost sounds good enough to eat.

[yellow tail] bubbles, Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore and Rewild Wines, $8.95, $19.99 and $9.99 from Dan Murphy

The beauty of grabbing a cheaper, more affordable booze as part of your gift, is that you can combine it with another treat – think chocolate or some nibbles. [yellow tail] bubbles is easy to drink, with sparkly citrus flavours as well as a creamy and fresh finish – plus it’s Sophie Monk approved! If your giftee is more of a wine aficionado, Rewild Wines is vegan and comes with notes of blackcurrant, blueberry and ribena. Santa Margherita’s Prosecco Superiore is a bit pricier, but still falls under the $30 price tag. This Italian prosecco is sold in over 90 countries around the world, so they’re definitely doing something right!

Herd Mentality Board Game, $29.99 from Gameology

Board games are always a fun Secret Santa gift, since you can whip it out and play with your team in the office. It’s an a-moo-sing game (ugh, sorry for my dad joke), and while the premise is simple, there are plenty of rave reviews. Don’t just take my word for it – in 2022, it was voted as “the best party game ever” by TechRadar.

Natio Spirit Green Clay & Manuka Honey Purifying Mask, $16.95 from Myer

If one of your workmates is in desperate need of a break, this is a little gift to let them know how much you care. The luxurious Natio face mask has manuka honey, aloe, carrageenan and other natural ingredients, helping to deep cleanse and balance your complexion.

Boozebud Gift Voucher, $25 from Boozebud

If you don’t know your colleague that well, i.e. you say hello to them when you awkwardly lock eyes in the bathroom, giving them the gift of choice might be the safest option. Boozebud always runs different promos, so your workmate can decide if they want some craft beer, spirits or a wine to go with Christmas dinner.

Piece Ravioli Cutting Set, $29.95 from Myer

Squeaking right under the $30 limit, here’s a gift to let your colleague’s secret MasterChef dream take flight. If they’re always talking about the delicious food they’ve been making at home, this pasta set will suit them perfectly. Plus, they may bring some of their creations into the office to let you sample.

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 Image credits: Pepe, Typo, HOYTS, Gameology, The Body Shop, OzHarvest, Dan Murphy, Myer, Boozebud, Paramount, Mean Girls