Gifts Under $35 for Secret Santas & Yankee Swaps

By Heather Barmore

Every year I do a Secret Santa and every year, I am boring. I always go the gift card route. This year, I have decided to try something different: Be creative. I’ve been on the look out for cute but unusual presents. Nothing says, “Happy Holidays” like a gift that proves that you’re thinking of the recipient — and that you can be fun with a side of quirky for less than $35.

1. USB Cassette Mixtape 

Perhaps the mixtape isn’t a thing of the past. Milktape’s version allows the owner to drag and drop songs to a USB drive, which is in the shape of a tape.

$15, milktape.com

2. Groove iPhone Stand

Help a friend or a colleague keep his iPhone in plain sight with this stand.

$20, etsy.com

3. Cool, Calm and Connected Bento Box

Packing a lunch can be a chore. This bento box makes it fun again.

$15, modcloth.com

4. Retro Nintendo Controller Soap

Be nostalgic and play Mario while in the shower.

$13, etsy.com

5. Snackeez

I’ve seen one of these in action. You put munchies in the top, a beverage in the bottom. No lie, I kind of want one of my own. Help a friend take their snacking to a new level.

$15, amazon.com

6. Harry Potter House Logo Flask 

You can decide if your friends and colleagues are more Slytherin or Hufflepuff. Let the recipient choose the beverage.

$25, etsy.com

7. Sea for Two Tea Infuser

Put a smile on the face of the tea drinker in your life with the help of this adorable manatee tea infuser. His name is Fred, by the way.

$15, modcloth.com

8. The Fox and the Sound Earbuds

Tell your coworker to keep his or her music down in an adorable way.

$15, modcloth.com

9. Star Wars Themed Shot Glasses

A set of four shot glasses for your favorite geek.

$33 for set of 4, etsy.com

10. Hand-Lettered Greeting Notecards

Nice, quality notecards are always needed and appreciated.

$12, etsy.com

Originally Published December 16, 2014. Updated April 3, 2021.