‘Tis the season of Christmas parties and you know what that means – time to buy your Kris Kringle gifts!
If you’re not familiar with the tradition, Kris Kringle (also known as Secret Santa or white elephant) is a fun and festive way to exchange gifts. Participants draw names from a hat (or via an app these days!) and secretly buy a present for the person they picked. The best part? No one knows who their gift is from until it’s revealed! Often, there’s a set budget to keep things fair, which can range from as little as $10 to around $50, depending on the group.
If you’re stuck wondering what to get, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with gift ideas for every type of recipient and for multiple price points. Read on for the ultimate Kris Kringle gift guide!
Best Kris Kringle gifts for your co-worker
Finding the perfect gift for a colleague can be tricky, but here are some ideas to suit any budget:
Under $10: A cute notebook, planner or mug
Under $25: A mini desk plant or succulent in a unique pot
Under $50: An insulated drink bottle or thermos for their morning coffee
Best Kris Kringle gifts for your friends
Gifting your mates can be a lot of fun! You know them best, so you can choose something they’ll genuinely enjoy or find useful:
Under $10: A face mask or keyring
Under $25: A new phone case, T2 tea, or chilli oil
Under $50: A cocktail shaker set, or board game like Codenames for game nights.
Best Kris Kringle gifts for your family
Keep it thoughtful yet practical when choosing gifts for your family members:
Under $10: A festive tea towel or homemade Christmas cookies
Under $25: A framed family photo, personalised mug or fancy olive oil
Under $50: Aesop hand cream, an Apple AirTag or a coffee table book
Best Kris Kringle gifts for an acquaintance
Picked a name out of a hat, and you don’t know them very well? Here are a few options for tried-and-true gifts that everyone will enjoy:
Under $10: A block of Tony’s Chocolonely, a card game like Uno, or a pack of Christmas shortbread
Under $25: A reusable water bottle, brightly coloured socks or Baggu shopping bag
Under $50: A board game like Ticket to Ride or an Etikette candle
Best Kris Kringle gifts for your partner
Surprising your significant other with a thoughtful gift doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s how to keep it sweet and affordable:
Under $10: A handwritten love note in a keepsake card or a jar of ‘date night’ ideas
Under $25: A photo book of your memories together, or a disposable camera to make some more memories
Under $50: A skincare set or a pair of cosy matching pyjamas
Best Kris Kringle gifts for your neighbour
Become the best neighbour on the block with these perfect gifts for any home.
Under $10: A jar of homemade jam or a pack of festive biscuits
Under $25: A mini herb garden kit or a decorative plant pot
Under $50: A fun welcome mat, set of hand towels or a candle
Best Kris Kringle gifts for your teacher
Keep your teacher organised in the new year with stationery and other uni essentials.
Under $10: A set of colourful sticky notes or pens
Under $25: A coffee gift card or a motivational desk calendar
Under $50: A lunch box or an insulated cooler bag
Kris Kringle is often a way to connect with a new group of people, and your gifts don’t always have to be super meaningful. Funny or silly gifts can break the ice and make this festive tradition entertaining and enjoyable. Stores like Kmart, Typo, IKEA and Daiso are perfect for easy, affordable gifts. Good luck on your gift hunt!
