The 25 Best Secret Santa Gifts (2024)

Anyone who grew up anywhere near San Francisco likely already has a favorite flavor of these box-shaped lollipops made with cream and butter. If your giftee is new to the suckers from the 102-year-old See’s Candies, you can bestow the pleasure of choice: vanilla, coffee, chocolate, or butterscotch? (Staff writer and San Francisco resident Samantha Schoech votes butterscotch, no further questions.) Each box of See’s Candies Assorted Lollypops contains a generous 30 suckers; Samantha snagged one at a Yankee swap last holiday season, where they were the most wrangled-over item.

Bananagrams is like Scrabble at whiplash speed. Players create word grids using tiles, but you have no board and no scoring; it’s all a race against your opponents. It’s easy to learn, it works for two to eight players from about age 10, and it comes in a portable, unmissable banana-shaped pouch. It’s so fun, and so packable, that it goes along on all of Samantha’s family trips.

Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Spain is our pick for an everyday, supermarket olive oil. It’s fresh and bright, with notes of tomato plants and green apples. It’s rich but not fatty, and it has a nice astringency. The squeeze bottle allows your gift recipient to be more precise, adding a perfect squirt instead of a big glug. Graza also makes a Drizzle version, meant to be used cold as a finishing touch. If you’re shopping day-of, you can find it at Target and Whole Foods, and the bottle is cute enough for you to skip wrapping.

Apple’s AirTags Bluetooth trackers, with their seamless and extensive Apple network and real-time tracking, are especially good for keeping tabs on luggage. Of course, your gift recipient can attach theirs to anything they don’t want to lose, such as keys, kids backpacks, or bikes. (This combination-lock carabiner is a good way to snap an AirTag on just about anything.) Note that AirTags are compatible only with iPhones; for Android users, we recommend the Tile Mate (2022).

In addition to being USB chargeable and completely butane-free, Botanica’s Flameless Lighters are ridiculously good-looking. Because they’re entirely windproof, they make good outdoor lighters, and the 8-inch shaft is long enough to sneak into tricky campfires or hearth fires, too. As with all flameless lighters, the plasma arc emits a soft but high-pitched sound that bothers some people and animals; considering these lighters’ convenience, sustainability, and vibes, our tester was unbothered.

Real bonsai trees require constant care and are hard to keep alive, but the 878-piece Bonsai Tree set from Lego’s Botanical Collection, complete with adjustable leaves and cherry blossoms, asks nothing of its owner aside from a place on a shelf. This set, which was impossible to nab during the height of the pandemic, provides some of the mindfulness and relaxation that comes from attending to real bonsai trees. Wirecutter’s resident Adult Fan of Lego (AFOL), supervising editor Joshua Lyon, recommends shaping and reshaping the Lego bonsai using additional pieces such as the Plant Vine Seaweed and Plant Flower Stems from Lego’s Pick a Brick page.

Anyone committed to good food—and not spending a fortune on subpar salad tubs—would appreciate this versatile lunch box. The two-tiered Bentgo Salad Stackable Lunch Container is excellent for greens, grain bowls, or even clean-out-the-fridge smorgasbords. The divided top tray can preserve the crisp texture of items like nuts, seeds, or chopped veggies, and the bottom holds a generous 54 ounces. Everything snaps together snugly and guards against leaks, even after dozens of runs through the dishwasher.

Usually, it is with great trepidation that we recommend a single-purpose tool—especially one that’s a bit clunky—but the Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper is that good. It's actually our preferred way to make popcorn. Supervising editor Hannah Morrill first enjoyed the airy excellence of this stovetop swirler almost two decades ago and has been an evangelist ever since. Add oil, or don’t, and then cover the bottom with kernels and turn on the stove. The wooden crank powers slim metal stirrers that prevent burns. In about three minutes, one has an embarrassment of popcorn riches. And they’ll have more, for years to come: The company behind the Whirley-Pop protects each purchase with a 25-year warranty on mechanical parts.

There’s no replicating the rush that one gets from grabbing a coffee at a neighborhood street cart before darting underground to catch the subway. But for a more peaceful morning ritual unbound by geography, this ceramic New York–style coffee cup is just the thing. Unlike the paper cups originally designed in 1963, this one is dishwasher and microwave safe, so it’s far more practical—yet equally as affirming.

The perfect salt for finishing an heirloom tomato, a chocolate chip cookie, or a Wagyu filet, the crunchy and flavorful Maldon Sea Salt Flakes have been a favorite ingredient of chefs and home cooks (as well as of our discerning kitchen team) for years. The pyramid-shaped, mineral-rich flakes are harvested by hand from the Blackwater Estuary on the southeast coast of England. And this 3-pound bucket—about the size of a kids beach pail—is absolutely not too much of a good thing, thank you very much. Your lucky Secret Santa gift recipient can stash this in their pantry and sprinkle, crumble, and pinch with abandon for (nearly) an eternity.

Maybe the one thing you know about your Secret Santa draw is that they love good food, full stop. Look no further than the Fly By Jing Shorty Spice Set, which contains three 2-ounce jars of the company’s most popular items: Sichuan Chili Crisp, Mala Spice Mix, and Zhong Sauce. These zingy, sweet, complex sauces pack a punch, so they’ll last a good long while, even if your gift recipient slathers them on absolutely everything. (As well they should—the condiments are excellent on stir-fry dishes, noodles, omelets, roasted vegetables, rice bowls, and even ice cream.)

Whether your gift recipient loves their phone or loves to hate their phone, they’ll appreciate a pair of touchscreen gloves to keep them tapping when the temperature dips. Our favorites for the task are the Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves: Their conductive-fiber knit makes precise typing possible—invaluable even in the age of editable tweets—and their microfleece lining is cozy and warm. (Some touchscreen gloves are too flimsy, while others are overly bulky.) They come in three sizes and two colors, and a few of our editors have worn them for more than a few winters, with no holes or pilling.

Even Secret Santa matches who identify as indoor people will delight in the adorable Jarkyfine Window Bird Feeder and the tiny winged visitors it draws right to their window. Attached via suction cups, it’s perfect for apartment dwellers who don’t have the luxury of their own green space. Homeowners may also enjoy it, attached to a kitchen window or a similar eye-level nook. True, it isn’t one of our top bird feeder picks, namely because in some locations its open construction could leave birds vulnerable to a cat attack and seeds exposed to squirrels. Still, for the price and in the right spot, it can provide a lot of up-close enjoyment.

Pretty much everyone has a friend who loves to try new brunch spots on weekends (or just loves to snap and post the plates at their old standby). They’d likely also enjoy being able to make hot, fresh waffles at home with one of our favorite waffle makers. The Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker WMR-CAP2 is especially well suited to those who prefer thin and crispy waffles over the puffy and doughy variety. Among the 30 models we tested, this Cuisinart waffle maker stood out for its ease of use, consistent performance, and compact design (it’s a little over 10 inches across, so it stores easily, even in smaller kitchens). If you’re lucky, your giftee will even invite you over for the waffle feast.

The right tote bag makes any errand a more pleasant experience, whether that’s picking up a few items at the farmers market, dropping off library books, or hauling everything necessary for an afternoon away (magazines, sunscreen, portable charger, water bottle, and so on). One of our favorites for the task is the canvas Baggu Duck Bag. This machine-washable tote is large enough to carry whatever your gift recipient may throw in. It’s also comfortably slung over the shoulder or held by hand, and it comes in an array of colors and prints.

As planet Earth seems to fall apart, why not put together a moon? The Antelope Puzzle Space Collection Moon jigsaw puzzle features the image of our favorite celestial body, circular in shape and with beautiful detail in its craters. And because this puzzle has 1,000 pieces, it will offer your gift recipient a calming respite from the stresses of this world, one that doesn’t involve trawling Netflix again.

If the bath is where your Secret Santa recipient kicks back, give them a colorful, delicious-smelling bath bomb. The very best of those we tested are Lush’s Bath Bombs: They “explode” as soon as they hit the water, filling the tub with gorgeous, shimmering shades, long-lasting fragrance, and skin-soothing oils for relaxation.

Fanny packs are here to stay. If your giftee is sartorially bold (or, on the flip side, doesn’t care about fashion at all), they’ll love carrying their possessions around their waist in one of our favorite fanny packs, the JanSport Fifth Avenue Fanny Pack. It has two sections for storage, and it comes in eight prints and colors to suit almost anyone’s preference.

Few people hate chocolate, which is why it makes a great gift. If you’re seeking something less formal than a box of chocolates, though, consider a grouping of gourmet bars. Tony’s Chocolonely bars are wrapped in cheery, bright packaging, and what they conceal is equally fantastic. This pack of four features some of Tony’s best flavors (milk chocolate hazelnut, milk chocolate caramel sea salt, dark milk chocolate pretzel, and 32% milk chocolate), ready to satisfy whatever dessert mood your gift recipient may be in.

The gumdrop tree is one of those candy-serving modes from yesteryear that people pine for—even if it wasn’t actually a family tradition. A sculpture that bears candy? A tree that grows gumdrops? What’s not to love? The BW Brands Festive Gumdrop Tree is made from sturdy plastic, so it won’t break if little hands knock it over.

If your gift recipient loves to rage, give them the Loop Experience Earplugs, the best earplugs for concerts or other noisy events. Unlike traditional foam plugs, these earplugs reduce the overall volume without impacting the quality of the sound—so the music sounds just as good, just less loud. The Loop earplugs are comfortable to wear for an extended time and come with enough tips (four pairs) to fit nearly every ear shape.

Whether your Secret Santa gift recipient is a sushi fanatic or someone who just likes to keep their fingers free of Cheetos dust, a good pair of chopsticks is an invaluable companion. (They’re also great for stirring coffee, scrambling eggs, freeing olives … the list is endless.) During our extensive chopstick testing, many panelists preferred the elegant Kent Wang Ebony Chopsticks, which are hand-carved from sustainable ebony and sanded to a silky-smooth texture. Pair them with these super-cute cat chopstick holders to add a touch of whimsy and to make the gift even more fun.

With the pandemic sourdough fad solidly in the rearview mirror, those with a lasting interest in baking may enjoy the Lékué Bread Maker. They can mix, rise, and bake in this one vessel, and then they can throw the whole thing (well, minus the bread) into the dishwasher when they’re done. Lighter, more affordable, and easier to clean than a traditional Dutch oven, it offers a slightly less intimidating way to bake bread and comes with a 10-year warranty.

For the Secret Santa gift recipient who knows the power of a nap during their work-from-home lunch break or on a lazy Sunday afternoon, a cozy eye mask makes the perfect gift. The contoured eyecups of the Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask arch over the eyes, giving them space to move for a more comfortable wearing experience, while the mask’s adjustable Velcro strap keeps it snug on restless sleepers. For travel, this eye mask effectively blocks a plane’s fluorescent cabin lighting yet still plays nicely with a face mask, should your gift recipient need to wear one.

If your giftee has an interest in making their own art, the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors set, made by a 117-year-old sumi-ink manufacturer in Nara, Japan, is one of our favorite art supplies (and a real step up from craft-store palettes). For the novice painter, watercolor is a great medium: Abstract prints and washes are relatively easy to do, and the aspiring artist can master more-difficult techniques as their ambitions allow. Plus, this set is reasonably priced, compact, and nontoxic. The paint, with colors inspired by nature, easily alights on paper with a buttery-smooth glide, and it dries with a slightly shiny finish.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.