Secret Santa is one of the great divisive festive questions. Those in favour enjoy the anonymity, the fun, and the cap on price so that spending doesn’t get out of hand, yet everyone still gets a gift. Detractors say that it’s a headache to buy for a colleague you may not know too well, and that the price cap means that scope is limited for buying anything that won’t simply end up as landfill.

We categorically agree with the latter point – which is why we’ve rounded up some ideas that your recipient is sure to enjoy and certain not to throw straight in the bin – from the edible to the amusing.

By Nancy Alsop
October 2022