Secret Santa Gifts Ireland: For a Colleague You Don’t Know
If you've drawn a colleague you barely know for Secret Santa, start with the agreed budget and choose one useful gift. A notebook, suitable chocolate or a book in a genre they enjoy can work well. You don't need a novelty present or a big hamper to make it a good gift.
Whether your office calls it Secret Santa, Kris Kindle or Kris Kringle, the awkward part is usually the same: choosing something for a person whose name you know better than their interests.
Here's how to narrow it down. If you already know the kind of gift you'd like, you can also browse our Christmas gift guide.
What should I buy for a colleague I don't know well?
Look for one small clue about what they enjoy. Perhaps they always have a book at lunch, use a paper notebook or bring their own coffee to work. That gives you a starting point without needing to investigate their entire life.
They like stationerya notebook or a good pen is an easy place to start.
They enjoy readingchoose a book when you know their reading tastes, or a bookshop voucher when you'd rather let them choose.
They enjoy a sweet treatchocolate or biscuits can work if you know their dietary requirements.
You know almost nothing about themkeep it simple. Plain stationery or a voucher for somewhere they use involves less guessing than fragrance, skincare or a joke gift.
A present doesn't have to be surprising to be enjoyable. Something they'll use is a perfectly good result.
What can I buy for Secret Santa on a €30 budget?
Choose one good small present: a paperback, notebook, suitable chocolate or a modest voucher. Check the actual price before buying, and include wrapping, a card and delivery when working out your total.
Our Gourmet gift hamper is €29 and includes delivery and a card.
For a higher limit, you have more room to combine a main present with a smaller treat. The same rule applies: agree whether the office limit includes delivery before you start shopping.
What are good Secret Santa gifts instead of alcohol?
Stationery, a book, a bookmark or a voucher are straightforward alternatives. Socks can work if you know the size and style they like. Tea, coffee or sweet treats may suit someone whose preferences you know.
If the gift needs to be alcohol-free, check the ingredients of chocolates, truffles and other treats as well as the drinks. A hamper without a bottle of wine can still contain alcohol in a filling. Our gift hampers are all alcohol free.
For someone whose food requirements you don't know, a non-food gift avoids that guesswork. Similarly, scented candles and skincare are better choices when you know they enjoy those products.
Is a book a good Secret Santa gift?
Yes, when you know they enjoy reading and have some idea of their tastes. Knowing that they like crime novels or contemporary fiction is more useful than choosing whichever cover catches your eye.
If you're unsure what they've already read, our guide to gifts for someone who reads a lot explains the other options.
Would a gift box suit a larger Secret Santa budget?
A gift box can work when the budget allows and the contents suit the recipient. Choose a main item they'll enjoy and a couple of smaller things that belong with it. There is no need to fill a box just for the sake of filling it.
You can browse our ready-made gift hampers or create your own gift box. When creating your own, include the gift box and card in your budget.
We pack gifts in Waterford and handwrite your message on the card. For a colleague, a simple “Happy Christmas — enjoy a well-earned break!” is plenty.
What should I avoid buying for a work Secret Santa?
Be cautious with gifts that depend on an inside joke, comment on someone's body or habits, or would be uncomfortable to open in front of colleagues. Alcohol, food, fragrance and skincare also involve preferences you may not know.
Stick to the agreed budget. Spending much more can make the exchange awkward for the person who followed the limit.
Can I send a Secret Santa gift directly to a colleague in Ireland?
Yes. If you have their address, enter it as the shipping address when ordering from The Book Resort and add your gift message in the cart. We can send the gift directly to them, with no receipt or prices inside the hamper.
The calendar in the cart lets you choose a shipping date. This is the date the parcel leaves us, not a delivery date. If the exchange is coming up soon, read our last-minute gift guide before ordering.
If you only have an email address, our gift card is another option if its available value fits the agreed budget. The redemption code is emailed to you, and you can forward it with your Christmas message.
