19 Secret Santa Gifts Under $30 People Will Actually Want

So, you just got a family group text or work email about participating in Secret Santa this year. Time for some last-minute shopping. 

First of all, let’s talk about what Secret Santa even is. It’s essentially an arrangement where a group of friends, relatives or co-workers agree to exchange gifts without the recipient knowing who it came from. Everyone in the group is assigned one person to shop for, and they aren’t supposed to tell that person. Most Secret Santa events have a spending cap in the $20 to $30 range.

But if the idea of shopping for someone that you don’t know that well is causing you stress, fear not. Finding a cool gift that won’t end up abandoned in their attic or thrown in the trash isn’t as daunting as it seems. 

Whether you want to really lean into the person’s interests or would rather get a more practical gift, just remember that it really is the thought that counts the most. Here to help you is our roundup of 19 gifts for every type of person, from the dedicated bread bakers to diehard music enthusiasts to the one person at your job that is actually really good at using Excel — all for under $30.