Buying presents can be one of the best parts of the season – especially if you’ve got something in mind. But if you’re struggling to come up with Christmas gift ideas and getting bored with the Secret Santa malarky, it can be hard to get into the festive spirit.
As a lover of buying gifts and sharing tips on how to save as much as possible at Christmas, I’ve covered some of the best last-minute Secret Santa gifts under £10. And now, it’s time for some fun, Secret Santa alternatives so you can still enjoy all of the Christmas cheer.
1. Themed gift exchange
Establish a variety of themes and put them into a bowl. Have each person pick a theme. Everyone buys a gift for each recipient for that theme. Set a budget of £5-£10.
Some good themes include: the colour green/red, something that comes in pairs, something that reminds you of them, something festive, food, books, and something that starts with the first letter of their name.
2. Group gift
Instead of purchasing gifts, everyone puts their money together to go towards a group experience. This could be a trip to the spa, a luxury dinner, a mini getaway, a pottery class, etc. Great if you’d value quality time over gifts.
3. Wish list
Everyone writes 1-3 items on a slip of paper and puts them in a bowl. Instead of picking a name, you take turns to draw lists which you’ll buy for your recipient. This is ideal for small friendship groups or families and means you know that your money is being used on something worthwhile.
4. Mystery box exchange
Agree on a budget. Make a small box with gifts of your choice within your budget. Number them accordingly. Take turns to roll a dice to see who gets which mystery box.
5. Favourite thing exchange
Each person buys a few of their favourite things and wraps them up. Everyone then receives a gift of each person’s favourite thing. Some ideas for this include your favourite lip balm, herbal tea, nail oil, mug, earrings, etc.
6. White elephant
Set a budget and have everyone bring one gift. Draw numbers and, in order, take turns choosing gifts. The catch is that the next person can steal it. This one is a lot of fun and great if you’re bored with the usual Christmas gifts.
7. Lucky dip
Set a budget and purchase a few items within that budget. All gifts then go into a bag. Each person takes it in turns to pick out a gift without knowing whose is whose.
8. Three gifts each rule
Draw names like Secret Santa. Except each person must purchase three items: something to wear, something to eat, and something to enjoy. That way, you get a variety of gifts for each person. You can change the themes for the gifts, too.
