Christmas is rapidly approaching and the gifting stress is real. Even though wish lists can make things easier, not everyone has one and especially in Secret Santa-like situations, you’re on your own. Making the whole experience more genuine, perhaps, but also more stressful. Still don’t know what to buy for whom? We’ve got your back, as we’ve selected 15 Secret Santa gifts that will save your Christmas.
1. Electric lighter
It might seem strange to gift someone a lighter – especially if they don’t smoke – but electric lighters are all the buzz this year. Instead of using a classic, gas-fuelled lighter or matches, they cover all your lighting needs by using mere electricity. And when it’s empty, you just plug them into a USB-outlet and recharge them.
GEFU electric lighter, €22.95
2. Design bird feeder
If you’re buying for someone with a love for nature or if you want them to pick up a new hobby, a bird feeder is just perfect. For the birds, any model will do but as we’re aesthetic creatures, a beautiful design goes a long way.
3. Handy earplugs
Whether you’re buying for a music enthusiast, a student or a parent, the perfect pair of earplugs will always come in handy. Depending on which ones you choose, they’re perfect for sleeping, going to a festival or just to unwind while still paying attention to your noisy kids.
Loop Earplug Gift Set, €63.88
4. Silk pillowcase
While we’re all used to sleep on the regular pillowcases that come with our duvet set, opting for a silk version has many benefits both for your hair and skin. It’s a luxury that many of us aren’t ready to pay up for ourselves but usually, those are the best gifts.
Emily’s Pillow silk pillowcase, €99
5. Tea-for-one
Tea enthusiasts will know that drinking a good cup when you’re not at home isn’t always that easy, especially when you prefer loose-leaf tea. A mug with a built-in strainer and lid will help to get a greater cup at the office or anywhere else when you’re out and about.
Kusmi Tea tea mug with filter, €21.90
6. Magnetic power bank
Technology has come a long way over the past few years but battery quality seems to be lagging behind. And when you’re someone who spends a lot of time on their phone, this can lead to tricky situations. A portable charger and especially a magnetic one which just attaches to the back of your phone is the perfect solution.
Belkin BoostCharge , €56
7. Warming cushion
On a beautiful winter day, there’s nothing better than sitting on a terrace and soaking up the sun. However, chances are you will soon start to feel cold, which makes the whole experience less enjoyable. A warming, chargeable cushion is all you need to step up your game.
Stoov One, €119.95
8. Portable speaker
At first glance, this might seem like something more fit for a teenager than for an adult but a good portable speaker can go a long way. Just think about all those times you were on holiday without any possibility to play your favourite tunes or when you were out on a picnic and in the mood for some music.
JBL GO 4, €49.99
9. The best hairpin
A gift best suited for people with long hair that they will undoubtedly use a lot. Gone are the days of bobby pins that always seem to vanish. Instead, choose an aesthetically-pleasing and user-friendly alternative.
N°1 Hairpin set by Fiona Franchimon, €33.95
10. Self-watering pot
Whether you’re a plant lover or not, remembering to water your plants is always the most difficult part of keeping them alive. Wet Pot Systems make that process a lot easier with their self-watering pot which looks surprisingly good on your desk.
Wet Pot Systems Planter S, €59
11. Food huggers
The zero waste lifestyle might not be everyone’s cup of tea but most of us aren’t against handy gadgets to reduce our waste a little. And we all know the struggle of half a lemon, onion or pumpkin hanging around in the fridge, without anything to keep it fresh. Food huggers are a simple yet effective and easy way to replace cling film or aluminium foil, while still keeping your fridge organised.
Food huggers 5-pice set, €19.49
12. Fancy hand soap
It’s something many of us enjoy when visiting a high-end restaurant or a friend’s home but only few invest in themselves: a fancy hand soap. And yet, it can make the whole experience of washing your hands a lot nicer and more luxurious. And once it’s empty, there’s no law against filling that fancy bottle with a cheaper alternative.
Marie-Stella-Maris hand soap, €29.50
13. Ex-libris
While it might be difficult to buy a book loving person their next read, you can play into their passion by buying them a personalised ex-libris with their name and a design of your choice. This stamp allows them to carefully mark all their books, a nostalgic tradition as old as books themselves.
Personalised ex-libris M. Rospars, €65-280
14. Pitcher and glass set
Having a glass of water on your bedside table is pretty standard but more often than not, it’s just your random glass. A special bedside pitcher and glass will upgrade just about everyone’s bedroom and thanks to the beautiful yet neutral design, it’ll blend in seamlessly.
Ferm Living pitcher with tumbler, €39
15. Oyster knife
The festive season is also the time of year during which oyster lovers tend to go wild. If the person you’re buying for is a fan, a beautifully crafted oyster knife will be a classy addition to their kitchen, without crowding it unnecessarily.
