Ah, the office Secret Santa—a time-honoured workplace tradition where mystery meets merriment and (hopefully) good taste. Done right, gift exchange games like these can definitely brighten the office vibe. But done poorly, it can create more awkwardness at the work Christmas party than an over-shared email chain. 

For this blog post, we polled 50+ office workers, managers, and HR staff about their particular company’s Secret Santa ideas as well as their dos and don’ts. To ensure your office holiday gift exchange stays on the cheerful side, here are the golden rules of this tradition. 

Secret Santa etiquette dos: What do UK office managers and staff say?

Do: Give enough time 

Nobody enjoys the idea of running up and down a crowded high street in the middle of a Secret Santa rush. Especially at the time of year when the shops are already packed and the weather is less than accommodating. Most of the workplaces who responded to our survey said they give staff 2+ weeks to prepare. Considering that everyone is busy during the festive season, a week’s notice should be the absolute bare minimum.

Do: Set a reasonable budget

Last year, UK workers spent £167m on Secret Santa gifts, which works out to £15.5 / person. Our own survey shows that 58% of workplaces are setting limits at £20 or under. A few high rollers allow £35 or more, but as one of our UK respondents, Brian Futral, Founder and Head of Content at The Marketing Heaven, said, “Secret Santa doesn’t have to be expensive or wasteful, a free office Secret Santa means re-gifting, thinking outside the box, or getting creative with your giving.”

Do: Go beyond the good old Secret Santa formula

It might seem there are traditional Secret Santa rules that must be followed. But adding your own twist to this tradition can make all the difference to how employees engage with the celebration. For example, one of our respondents, Mimi Nguyen, Co-Founder of Cafely, said they picked the theme “favourite childhood snacks”, which sparked nostalgia-filled conversations and shared memories that are great for bonding.  

Another respondent, James Hacking, Founder and Chief Playmaker of Socially Powerful, encouraged staff to write down a few quirky facts or things they like in advance, without revealing their identity. The team then shared these snippets anonymously, and people had to guess who they were buying for based on the clues. A fun way to learn something new about someone!

Do: Consider non-material gifts

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in interest for sustainable Secret Santa gifts and other original ways to play Secret Santa. For example, a survey found that handmade items are among the most popular gifts, but why not take this a step further and switch to non-material gifts this year? 

For example, Eliot Vancil, CEO of Fuel Logic responded to our survey explaining their innovative approach: they host a “Secret Skill Santa” swap, where people give each other access to their skills or talents instead of the standard physical gift exchange. This keeps the options quite open, as gifts could be anything from a personalised playlist to home-baked biscuits, knitted wrist-warmers, a short photo shoot, etc. As people open their “gift envelopes,” the person who gives them the skill tells the story that goes with it. A great way to build appreciation for the hidden talents of your colleagues!

Secret Santa etiquette don’ts: What do UK office managers and staff say?

Now, as for what to avoid during this year’s Secret Santa: surveys show that 22% of  office employees are very reluctant to join the celebration. According to other studies, 30% of the workers surveyed would rather not be there, and up to 18% say it creates unnecessary stress. 

Could it be that office staff are not too keen on this tradition because some ways of going about it are off-putting? Possibly! Here are some things to avoid to make this year’s Secret Santa more appealing for all your staff.

Don’t: Stick to the old hat routine

While picking names out of a hat has its retro gift exchange charm, 20.4% of workplaces we polled said they’re embracing tech-savvy solutions like their own in-house apps, spin-the-wheel tools like wheelofnames, or more purpose-built online Secret Santa tools like Elfster or drawnames to allocate gift giving partners. 

These tools keep things fair and anonymous, while reducing the risk of “accidental” peeks at Secret Santa identities and any resultant awkwardness. Plus, they allow everyone to focus on the fun part: the actual gift exchange and the experience.

Don’t: Be a Scrooge

“Budget-conscious” doesn’t have to mean “minimum effort.” In fact, some of the most disliked Secret Santa gifts are “minimum effort” items like socks, mugs, teddy bears, and lottery tickets.

Luckily, there are many ways you can channel your inner bargain-hunter: charity shops, vintage finds, or even re-gifting something after adding a personal touch. What matters is choosing a gift that shows you’ve been thoughtful rather than thoughtless!

Don’t: Risk it

Meaning, avoid Secret Santa gifts that are overly personal, risqué, politically charged, or controversial. Sometimes, the difference between being cheeky with what you think are funny Secret Santa gifts and coming across as rude is just a thin line. So don’t put your friendly work atmosphere at risk, and if in doubt, go for universally appreciated items.

Don’t: Rule out other options

The gift exchange is an essential part of Secret Santa, but it’s a good idea to stay open to other options. Some employees may prefer giving instead of gifting. 

To ensure everyone enjoys the tradition, you could let staff choose whether they want to receive a gift or have their Secret Santa partner give to a charity on their behalf. After all, according to a 2023 survey, 22% of workers interviewed said they’d prefer giving to charity.

Don’t: Ruin the mood

So you got a bottle of wine but you don’t drink, or a box of Cadbury treats but you’ve just started a diet, or a bath bomb but you’re allergic to one of the ingredients… even if the gift is really far off your tastes, remember that your colleague made the effort, probably with the best intentions. Don’t ruin the mood with sarcastic comments—just thank your Secret Santa and try to enjoy the festive spirit.

Wrapping it Up

When approached with thoughtfulness and goodwill, Secret Santa can turn the average office into a pleasant space filled with holiday cheer—and who doesn’t need a bit of that? To make sure your office gift exchange makes the team feel closer and more appreciative of each other, try some of the suggestions we’ve listed here, and get ready to jump into the season of giving!

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