For coworkers
The office draw is where most Secret Santa gifts are given, and it has its own rules. The gift should be friendly but not personal, useful but not dull, and suitable to open in front of the whole team. Anything that brightens a desk, a commute or a coffee break usually hits the right note. The ideas below are all safe for the workplace and easy to buy without knowing your colleague well. They also work for remote teams, since each one is small enough to post. If your company has a spending limit, the budget pages of this guide help you stay within it.
- Mini desk plant A little green on the desk makes a long day better. Choose a hardy plant that survives weekends and air conditioning. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Mug warmer For the colleague whose tea always goes cold during meetings. Plugs into a computer or the wall and keeps a mug warm. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Desk organiser A home for pens, notes and phone. Helps a cluttered desk look calm, and suits any style of workspace. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Fun sticky notes Notes in fun shapes or with cheeky printed messages. A light-hearted gift that will actually get used. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Coffee sampler A few bags of different roasts to try at home or at the office. Ideal for the team's coffee enthusiast. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Stress ball Something to squeeze on busy days. Cheap, funny and surprisingly useful during long calls. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Laptop sleeve Protects a laptop on the way to and from the office. Check the screen size if you can, or pick a stretchy one. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Desk calendar A calendar for the year ahead, with a picture or quote for every month. A welcome gift in December. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Reusable coffee cup For the daily coffee run. Good for the planet and handy for anyone who buys a drink on the way to work. See ideas on Amazon.ca
- Keyboard wrist rest A cushion that makes long hours at the keyboard more comfortable. A caring gift that shows you thought about their day. See ideas on Amazon.ca
Updated September 30, 2026