<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2613570466604&pd[em]=&noscript=1" /> Skip to Content

Under $20 Secret Santa Christmas Gifts (17 Genius Ideas)

Participating in a Secret Santa gift exchange? Under $20 Secret Santa Christmas gift ideas (that people will talk about!).

Buying gifts for someone you’re semi-close with – a co-worker, an in-law, a friend of a friend in a group you hang out with – can be tricky enough.

three women in Santa hats giving each other gifts, text overlay "genius Secret Santa Ideas Under $20"

But finding a really buzzworthy Secret Santa gift for under $20?

Well, it can ruin more than one silent night.

Forget that – take a look at these awesome under $20 Secret Santa Christmas gift ideas.   

Under $20 Secret Santa Christmas Gift Ideas

Don’t get stuck! Check out these $20 and under Secret Santa gift ideas.

1. Gorgeous Rock Soap

Bold move to start my list off with soap…amiright?

In fact, you’re probably thinking, “who would want to receive soap for Christmas?”

But…have you seen THIS set of gemstone soaps? They’re so gorgeous, that your recipient might not even want to use them!

Seriously, you should check these out.

2. Car Essential Oil Diffuser + Essential Oil

woman holding tree essential oil diffuser and tons of colorful pads that go into it
hand holding Peppermint 100% pure essential oil next to tree essential oil diffuser in car vent

I gifted this beautiful car essential oil diffuser to my stepmother on a whim a few years ago and finally decided to get one for myself.

I can’t rave about it enough!

Not only is it so pretty to look at, but I can choose from a rainbow of colors for the insert. And the peppermint oil I put into it just makes my car such a pleasure to drive around in.

Especially after a nice vacuum and wipe-down.

Psst: Here’s the exact Peppermint Oil I use with it that’ll get them started.

3. Candle that Crackles as it Burns

WoodWick candle opened on bedside table, half used up

I can still clearly remember when I received a WoodWick candle as an office Christmas gift in my late 20s.

I was in an apartment, so didn’t have a fireplace. And it’s this candle that crackles as it burns.

The sound was just mesmerizing.

It was so memorable and great, that to this day, I keep one by my bedside for cozy readings and late-night chats with my husband.

They make fantastic gifts!

4. Mini Desktop Vacuum

I’m not one who normally likes small gadgets just because they’re sleek and techy.

But as a person who spends an awful lot of time at a desk…I have to say this mini desktop vacuum has me interested.

A great way to kill 10 minutes in the office. Plus, you can charge it with a USB!

5. Salt Grinder + Ancient Mineral Salts

There is salt, and then there’s salt – the kind that’s ancient, packed with minerals, and just a cut above the rest.

Here’s a stylish salt grinder they can refill over and over again, plus a pouch of Redmond’s Ancient coarse salt (recommended by nutritionists, chefs, and mineral gurus – I just ordered myself some!).

6. Gourmet Jam + Silicone Jar Scooper

jam jar of Cantaloupe Peach with Black Pepper topped with jam jar scooper with blue ribbon

Have you ever used a jar scooper?

I wouldn’t say they’re life-changing – that’d be a tad too much.

But they certainly are a kitchen game-changer. And I love how your gift recipient would get to enjoy all the jam and then still have something left over to use over and over again.

Tie the jar scooper to the jam with a bow, and you’re all set!

7. Single Cold Brew and Iced Tea Maker

Chances are good that your gift recipient likes either coffee or iced tea…and that maybe, just maybe, they want to make their own version that others don’t like (or don’t get to drink).

That’s where this cool gift comes in!

Psst: this tea bottle with infuser looks just like a sleek water bottle – you might want to check that out, too.

8. Olive Oil Tasting Kit

I love how this comes with four different flavored olive oils, plus 3 spice infusion blends.

You could also gift a nice, large baguette you purchase the morning of. 

9. Handheld Electric Milk Froth Wand

People are making more and more drinks in their own kitchens – to be honest, I feel like I’m turning into an amateur mixologist myself.

The handheld electric milk froth wand (wow, that was a mouthful) can actually be used in all kinds of ways:

  • Mix in collagens, supplements, and vitamin powders into water
  • Froth milk for an at-home coffee drink
  • Make matcha
  • Etc.

10. Cast Iron Skillet Cookie Kit

mini square cast iron pan with homemade cookie on inside

It is such a delight to make one of these cash iron skillet cookies on the stovetop.

I surprised my husband with the ooey-gooey goodness one night after dinner!

These kits make awesome gifts and are under $20.

11. Pomodoro Desk Clock

small square timer with colorful rainbow set to 15 minutes left

Have you heard of the Pomodoro productivity strategy? It’s working for 25-minute blocks of time, with a 5-minute block of time to recharge in between.

There are now these cute desk Pomodoro clocks that would make a wonderful Secret Santa gift for a coworker, business owner, teacher, etc.

12. Mason Jar Meals Book + Mason Jar

Mason Jars have soooo many uses…and one that’s been trending is to use them to create and eat a meal.

Buy a Mason Jar meal book like this one, and include a mason jar with it so that they have what they need to store prepped dinners in the fridge, or bring in lunch to work.

13. Chike’s High-Protein Iced Coffee Sampler

My love affair with Chike’s iced coffees started about 7 years ago when my sister’s Amazon order accidentally showed up at my house…halfway across the United States.

She said to keep it, and so I tried it one more.

WOW.

Not only was it soooo yummy, but also high in protein (which is better for my health than a sugar-pumped latte).

I love this sampler pack, so that your gift recipient can try all of their different flavors!

14. Retro Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

My husband and I got a Bluetooth speaker about 6 years ago, and we’ve enjoyed it almost daily. It sounds so much better than just listening to songs on our iPhones.

What I love about this one? It’s SO stylish. And there are five different colors available.

15. Set of 3 Aromatherapy Roll-On Blends for Self-Care

Get a set of 100% pure essential oil blends that someone can roll on for some extra self-care.

You can get blends for:

  • Focus
  • Balance
  • Good sleep
  • Etc.

16. Chocolate-Covered Cookies

Have you ever had chocolate-covered, icing-stuffed cookies?

I used to go to a conference where one of the sponsors offered them for the entire four days. We just couldn't get enough!

You can buy a box that someone will be very happy to receive.

17. Mosquito Repellant Wristbands

Hear me out out on this one – it might be wintertime when you're gifting, but I feel like this is the type of thing (mosquito-repellant bracelets) that people mean to get, but then never get around to.

So, you can prepare them for summertime really early!

These Secret Santa Christmas gifts might be under $20, but I feel like they'll be worth more than that to the recipient. Either way, have fun with it! And Merry Christmas to you.

The following two tabs change content below.

Amanda L Grossman

Personal Finance Writer and CEO at Frugal Confessions, LLC
Amanda L. Grossman is a writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), Plutus Foundation Grant Recipient, and founder of Frugal Confessions. Over the last 13 years, her money work has helped people with how to save money and how to manage money. She's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, LifeHacker, Real Simple Magazine, Woman's World, Woman's Day, ABC 13 Houston, Keybank, and more. Read more here or on LinkedIn.