It’s that time of year again. You’re debating which festive film to put on and are searching for the best Christmas gifts – be that for kids, cat lovers, beauty buffs, couples, your mum, your dad or indeed your grandma.
If you’re on a panicked hunt for Secret Santa gifts that cost less than £10, you’ve come to the right place. In theory, the concept is a wonderful one – gifting something that’s cheap and cheerful – but, in reality, it’s notoriously difficult to find something that fits the bill.
Thankfully for you, we’ve answered your wishes by recruiting the entire IndyBest team and asking them to put their heads together to come up with a list of tried-and-tested products for every kind of friend, family member or colleague. And, of course, the items selected all come in at less than a tenner.
You can rest assured there’s no tat here. Taking the guesswork out of Secret Santa shopping, you’ll find nothing but well-thought-out favourites and things our team has loved using and having over the past year.
From candlesticks and house plants to board games and books, read on for all the best Secret Santa gifts for less than £10. Happy Christmas shopping!
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How we tested
To produce this long list, we asked the entire IndyBest team to come up with a number of their favourite things that would make great gifts. Whether that’s a book they’ve enjoyed or a plant they love having on their desk, it’s here you’ll find the lot. Of course, our main priority was ensuring we selected gifts your recipient will actually want and use. Thank us later.
The best Secret Santa gifts for less than £10 for 2022 are:
- Best unisex skincare product – Grüum gösta facial tonic £7, Gruum.com
- Best family-friendly board game – Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: £8.09, Amazon.co.uk
- Best cruelty-free skincare gift – Pip & Pod dragon fruit face scrub: £10, Hollandandbarrett.com
- Best skincare cracker – Burt’s Bees a bit of Burt’s Bees Christmas cracker, original beeswax: £8.99, Burtsbees.co.uk
- Best chocolate gift – Rhythm 108 hazelnut praline multipack: £4, Rhythm108.com
- Best for the house-proud – Anthropologie bistro tiled Margot monogram coaster: £10, Anthropologie.com
- Best for the candle fiend – Lily King big cats luxury matches: £7.95, Lilyking.co.uk
- Best for gifting a little luxury – The White Company pomegranate shower gel bauble: £10, Thewhitecompany.com
- Best mini vase – H&M stoneware mini vase: £3.99, Hm.com
- Best for the bookworm – ‘What Writers Read’ by Pandora Sykes, published by Bloomsbury Publishing: £10.39, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for beauty sleep – The Vintage Cosmetic Company sleep mask, cherry print: £7.99, Lookfantastic.com
- Best tablescaping accessory – Dine twist matte dinner candle: £7.50, Studiodine.com
- Best hair accessory – Studio Pepita seconds orange, blue and silver XL hair clip: £6, Studiopepita.com
- Best for those with a sweet tooth – Whittard limited edition gingerbread flavour hot chocolate: £10, Whittard.co.uk
- Best introduction to plant parenthood – Patch Plants Robin the rubber plant: £10, Patchplants.com
- Best Instagram-worthy gift – Oliver Bonas Kyto pink glass candlestick holder: £6.50, Oliverbonas.com
- Best for the wine-lover – The guv’nor, 14 per cent, 750ml: £8.99, Majestic.co.uk
- Best useful tech gift – TP-Link tapo P110 mini smart monitor plug with built-in energy monitor: £9.99, Argos.co.uk
- Best for Hollywood-worthy curls – Yeezoidon heatless curling rod set: £6.99, Amazon.co.uk
Jasper Pickering, gaming writer
Grüum gösta facial tonic £7, Gruum.com
Best: Unisex skincare product
Buying for someone who is serious about their morning skincare rituals and want to go above the usual Lynx Africa gift set? Grüum’s product range is an excellent, unisex option that will keep you within your budget. I’m a particular fan of their facial tonic, which contains chamomile, rosemary and witch hazel for a hydrating, naturally anti-bacterial formula that helps reduce redness and makes my skin feel nourished, by applying two sprays after washing and moisturising. The Scandinavian-inspired design is simple and deceptively compact, lasting months with moderate use, making it a great addition to any bathroom cabinet or washbag.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: £8.09, Amazon.co.uk
Best: Family-friendly board game
If you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-learn card game that’s perfect for small gatherings, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a great one to add to the collection. Players take turns putting cards on a pile saying each word included in the game’s name. If they place a card that matches the word they just said – taco, cat, goat, cheese or pizza – everyone has to put their hands on the pile, and the last to do so takes all the cards. There are also some wildcards thrown in, which require players to perform an action before slamming their hands down. It works a bit like the game Snap, with some extra steps, but it’s family-friendly and a game can be completed in less than 10 minutes.
Lois Borny, production journalist
Pip & Pod dragon fruit face scrub: £10, Hollandandbarrett.com
Best: Cruelty-free skincare
If your Secret Santa has a penchant for natural and cruelty-free skincare, I really love this dragon fruit face scrub from Holland and Barrett superfood-boosted skincare range Pip & Pod. It’s made with 100 per cent natural ingredients, with kiwi seeds peppered through the formula to exfoliate the skin by gently buffing away dead skin cells. Smelling absolutely heavenly with its sweet dragon fruit scent, this is a mini pampering treat they might not usually buy themselves.
Helen Wilson-Beevers, freelance writer
Burt’s Bees a bit of Burt’s Bees Christmas cracker, original beeswax: £8.99, Burtsbees.co.uk
Best: Skincare cracker
Present your recipient with this cute red Christmas cracker, which contains a full-sized lip balm and a miniature hand salve. A fail-safe skincare treat that offers practicality and winter TLC, the set is an ideal essential to pop into a bag or desk drawer. The comforting lip balm is infused with vitamin E and peppermint as well as hydrating coconut and sunflower oils, and I find it feels nourishing on a parched pout. Meanwhile, the hand salve contains soothing sweet almond oil, plus peppermint oil, which creates an invigorating fragrance as this formula melts into the skin. There’s a bonus festive red tie attached to the cracker too, which I’ve been using in my hair.
Rhythm 108 hazelnut praline multipack: £4, Rhythm108.com
Best: Chocolate gift
Treat them to a multi-pack of three hazelnut praline chocolate bars from Swiss chocolatiers Rhythm 108. Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, this brand delivers some of the yummiest chocolate I’ve ever tasted. Impressively creamy, given its vegan-friendly ingredients, they’ll tuck into a gluten-free oat and hazelnut filling mixed with nutty bits, all wrapped in deliciously sweet dark chocolate. There are several other flavours to explore, but this is probably my favourite for luxurious festive decadence. There’s even change from a fiver too.
Anthropologie bistro tiled Margot monogram coaster: £10, Anthropologie.com
Best: For the house-proud
A stylish addition to any surface, these monogram coasters feature a chic black and gold tiled design. The stoneware is part of a wider selection including cups, bowls and plates, making room for add-on gifts at any point down the line too. They’d look luxe on a desk or table to host a hot cuppa or glass of something sparkly at Christmas. I’ve got one marking every member of my household’s name (including the pets).
Lily King big cats luxury matches: £7.95, Lilyking.co.uk
Best: For the candle fiend
These luxury matches serve up a unique interior design touch with a practical purpose. The decorative box features a leopard and cheetah illustration, with 150 longer-length matches inside. I collect these quirky matchboxes long after using up all the contents, as they look cute on a coffee table or bookcase.
The White Company pomegranate shower gel bauble: £10, Thewhitecompany.com
Best: For gifting a little luxury
This festive-themed shower gel gift is shaped like a Christmas bauble. With plentiful scent notes including pomegranate, mandarin and amber, the shower gel bauble will bring a bit of luxury to a bathroom. The fruity, warming scent has universal appeal and The White Company is known for classic treats, so this is a fail-safe fragranced purchase.
H&M stoneware mini vase: £3.99, Hm.com
Best: Mini vase
This little, light-beige stoneware vase is just 10cm high, so it’s compact enough to slot into a small space. It could be used to adorn a shelf, as something extra on a bare surface or for holding single flower stems. The on-trend circular shape wins aesthetic present points too.
Daisy Lester, ecommerce writer
‘What Writers Read’ by Pandora Sykes, published by Bloomsbury Publishing: £10.39, Amazon.co.uk
Best: For the bookworm
If your Secret Santa is a book buff, they’ll delight in receiving Pandora Skyes’s What Writers Read (if they don’t already own it). The podcaster and journalist’s non-fiction tome takes the form of a series of curated essays written by authors on their favourite writers, ranging from Leïla Slimani on Milan Kundera’s cult classic The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Benjamin Zephaniah on bell hooks’s Ain’t I A Woman, to Elif Shafak on Virginia Woolf’s Orlando – with other literary love letters penned by the likes of Dolly Alderton, Marian Keyes, Deborah Levy, David Nicholls, Lisa Taddeo and more. Readers can enjoy a new perspective on a much-loved favourite or discover new titles for their reading pile in 2023. Plus, all proceeds go to the National Literacy Trust.
The Vintage Cosmetic Company sleep mask, cherry print: £7.99, Lookfantastic.com
Best: For beauty sleep
Buying for someone who loves their beauty sleep? This luxe eye mask from the Vintage Cosmetic Company is a no-brainer. The retro-inspired peach-pink design features a playful cherry-print finish and a frilly hem. Designed to block out the light to help you drift off, the gently elasticated and one-size-fits-all strap will keep the soft mask firmly in place during the night.
Dominique Boulan, freelancer
Dine twist matte dinner candle: £7.50, Studiodine.com
Best: Tablescaping accessory
It’s the season for dinner parties, and if your Secret Santa loves to be a host, this is the perfect gift for them to impress their guests this Christmas. At Dine, the brand knows a thing or two about tablescaping and its candles come in heaps of funky shapes and colours. I love these twisted ones that come in red, orange, green, turquoise and other bright shades. They’re a subtle way to add an extra touch of interest that won’t go unnoticed. It’s the perfect way to include a pop of colour in any setup, whether placed on the dinner table or a sideboard.
Studio Pepita seconds orange, blue and silver XL hair clip: £6, Studiopepita.com
Best: Hair accessory
With Studio Pepita, the aim is to create products that are planet friendly, without sacrificing style. The packaging used is recycled and can be reused or recycled again, with the option of eco-friendly gift wrap (including recycled tag and bow) for an extra £2. They’re also delivered through the letterbox, so, if you’re a lazy Secret Santa, it’s a great option. This hair clip is 8.2cm long and 2cm wide, but if that feels a little too flashy, there are plenty of smaller options too. The clips come in a range of patterns and colour combinations – with bright, sparkly options as well as pastels – and are a fun way to accessorise any outfit. To make your search a little easier, just filter for prices up to £10 and take your pick.
Whittard limited edition gingerbread flavour hot chocolate: £10, Whittard.co.uk
Best: For those with a sweet tooth
Having previously received a tin of Whittard’s hot chocolate under the Christmas tree, I can confirm it’s a gift that doesn’t disappoint. With their festive designs, the brand’s special Christmas and limited edition blends are a real treat to open. I can vouch for multiple flavours, including luxury hot chocolate, orange hot chocolate and rocky road, but I think the gingerbread hot chocolate is the most festive of the bunch. At exactly £10, it’s the perfect Secret Santa gift for those with a sweet tooth, and your giftee will probably have a cup of hot choc in hand not long after opening. There are a couple of vegan flavours on offer too.
Eva Waite-Taylor, deputy ecommerce editor
Patch Plants Robin the rubber plant: £10, Patchplants.com
Best: Introduction to plant parenthood
There are few things better than a plant pal that your giftee can keep on their desk, bedside table, or just about anywhere. For just £10, I was expecting this to be a little diddy, but was pleasantly surprised – it measures 30cm tall and makes a lovely feature. Thanks to the fact it’s easy to care for, it’s the perfect introduction to plant parenthood. Better still, it has air purifying capabilities.
Oliver Bonas Kyto pink glass candlestick holder: £6.50, Oliverbonas.com
Best: Instagram-worthy gift
As gifting destinations go, Oliver Bonas is a firm favourite. Known for its affordable, yet well-designed pieces, you can rely on it for affordable favourites. Case in point: this candlestick holder. Despite costing little more than £5, it looks and feels very high-end. The glass is solid, and the pattern is sophisticated. To finish off the gift nicely, I’d recommend pairing it with these twisted candles (£3.50, Accessorize.com).
The guv’nor, 14 per cent, 750ml: £8.99, Majestic.co.uk
Best: For the wine-lover
If the person you’ve drawn for Secret Santa is seriously into their red vino, allow me to introduce you to one of my favourites: the guv’nor. It’s a full-bodied, fruity number made from tempranillo grapes and is extremely drinkable – so much so, I’d recommend you buy a bottle (or two) for yourself to enjoy during the festive period too.
Alex Lee, tech writer
TP-Link tapo P110 mini smart monitor plug with built-in energy monitor: £9.99, Argos.co.uk
Best: Useful tech gift
Not so much a novelty Secret Santa gift as it is a necessity for those who want to track their energy usage in these trying times. As a flat dweller, it’s been impossible to get a smart meter installed in my home, and this TP-Link smart energy monitor is the next best thing. Acting as both a smart plug for scheduling timers, you can control it remotely via the app when not at home, but it also features an energy monitor, so you can see both your power and energy usage per hour. You can also optionally add in unit rates for more granular tracking, as well as see real-time daily and monthly trends. Maybe not the most enthralling stocking filler, but it is a genuinely handy bit of kit this winter. And it comes in at just under £10.
Amira Arasteh, assistant ecommerce editor
Yeezoidon heatless curling rod set: £6.99, Amazon.co.uk
Best: For Hollywood-worthy curls
With more and more emphasis being placed on heat protection when it comes to styling our hair, heatless curls could be the gift you didn’t know you needed this Christmas. With a satin-like foam curling rod and two hair scrunchies – as well as a hair clip to keep everything in place – this curling set allows you to create Hollywood-worthy curls or waves minus the heat damage. Use overnight or for a long period of time during the day and enjoy frizz-free, easy-to-achieve curls. It’s available in other colours, too.
Voucher codes
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