Funny Secret Santa gifts
The best funny gifts get a laugh when they’re opened and are still worth keeping the next day. These ideas stay on the right side of the line for office parties, friend groups and white elephant games.
The rule for funny gifts
Below are 40 ideas, grouped by type, each with a line on why it works. Prices vary by shop and country, so treat the budget as a guide and check before you buy. Equivalents in other currencies are rough round numbers, not exchange rates.
Still need to draw names? Use the free Secret Santa generator.
Funny but useful
- A mug with a funny (and kind) slogan Why it works: Gets a laugh and then gets used every day.
- Socks with a silly pattern Why it works: Low-risk humor that people actually wear.
- A “world’s okayest” trophy or certificate Why it works: Gently self-deprecating, so nobody feels targeted.
- A desk “do not disturb” sign with a joke Why it works: Funny and genuinely handy in an open-plan office.
- A novelty phone stand Why it works: A cheerful desk object with a real use.
- An oversized pencil or giant sticky notes Why it works: Silly scale, still usable.
- A rubber duck for “rubber duck debugging” Why it works: An in-joke for developers and problem-solvers that works as a desk toy.
Silly toys and games
- A desktop basketball or mini golf set Why it works: Harmless office fun that gets passed around.
- A tiny desk zen garden Why it works: Funny as an idea, oddly relaxing in practice.
- A whoopee cushion Why it works: Old-fashioned, silly and safe for most groups.
- A fake mustache set Why it works: Instant photo props for the party.
- A pocket-size party game Why it works: Laughs guaranteed at the next gathering.
- A fortune-telling fish or answer ball Why it works: Fun for decision-making in meetings.
- A bubble wrap calendar or stress popper Why it works: Satisfying, silly and harmless.
Food with a twist (check allergies)
- Very hot (labelled) hot sauce Why it works: A challenge for spice fans; label the heat clearly.
- Oddly flavored candy canes or jelly beans Why it works: A tasting game for the whole office.
- A giant chocolate bar Why it works: Funny because of its size, and nobody complains.
- A “grow your own” mushroom or chili kit Why it works: Unexpected, and it actually works.
- Cookies shaped like something unexpected Why it works: A visual joke that tastes good.
- A make-your-own fortune cookie kit Why it works: Write your own jokes inside.
Wearable humor
- A light-up or ugly holiday sweater accessory Why it works: Perfect for the party itself.
- Animal-shaped slippers Why it works: Cozy and ridiculous in equal measure.
- A funny beanie (pom-pom, ears or antlers) Why it works: Silly, warm and season-appropriate.
- A novelty tie or bow tie Why it works: Ideal for the office party photo.
- A cape or crown for “boss of the day” Why it works: Lets the winner rule for one afternoon.
Desk and home jokes
- A cat or dog shaped tape dispenser Why it works: Makes a boring object fun.
- A plant that’s impossible to kill (fake) Why it works: For the colleague with a famously dead desk plant, if they’ll laugh.
- A doormat with a funny welcome Why it works: A joke that greets them every day.
- A “meeting bingo” card pad Why it works: A playful nod to long meetings; keep it kind.
- A tiny disco ball for the desk Why it works: Instant party, any day of the week.
- A novelty ice cube tray Why it works: Unexpected shapes make any drink funnier.
- A “mood” desk sign with flip options Why it works: Lets people share how their day is going, with a smile.
Crowd-pleasers for white elephant
- A huge bag of popcorn with a film voucher (if allowed) Why it works: Funny size, real value, likely to be stolen.
- A “survival kit” for the holidays Why it works: Earplugs, snacks and a sleep mask in a tin; easy to make yourself.
- A blank puzzle Why it works: A ridiculous challenge for puzzle fans.
- A mystery box of small useful things Why it works: The suspense is the joke; the contents are genuinely handy.
- A cheesy-but-fun karaoke microphone Why it works: A party starter that people fight over.
- A singing or dancing novelty plant Why it works: Absurd, festive and harmless.
- A book of terrible puns Why it works: Groans count as laughs.
- A custom “trophy” for the game’s winner Why it works: Turns the gift exchange into a competition.
How to choose a funny gift
- Read their wish list or questionnaire answers first
- Check allergies and diet before buying food
- Skip strong scents unless you know they like them
- Avoid clothing unless you know the size
- Stay within the agreed limit, including postage if that’s the rule
- Add a short note: it makes a small gift feel personal
Not sure what they’d like? Send them the Secret Santa questionnaire.
More gift ideas
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep a funny gift from offending anyone?
Keep the joke about the gift, not the person. Avoid anything about bodies, age, weight, religion, politics, drinking or romance, and anything you wouldn’t want your manager to see you open. If you would have to explain why it’s funny, pick something else.
Are joke gifts OK at work?
Light ones usually are, as long as they are work-appropriate and still useful or fun to keep. A silly mug or desk toy is fine; anything crude or personal isn’t. If your workplace has a policy on gifts, follow it.
How much should Secret Santa gifts cost?
Whatever your group agrees on; the most important thing is that everyone knows the same number before shopping. Many groups pick a modest, round amount so nobody feels pressure, often lower at work than among close friends or family. Put the amount in the Budget field and it appears on every reveal.
What’s the difference between Secret Santa and White Elephant?
In Secret Santa, everyone is assigned one specific person to buy for, and the giver is usually kept secret. In a white elephant exchange, everyone brings one gift for the pile, then players take turns opening a gift or “stealing” one that’s already been opened. Secret Santa is about a thoughtful gift for one person; white elephant is a party game, often with funny gifts.
How does a white elephant exchange end?
Usually when the last player has taken their turn. Many groups then give the first player one final chance to swap, because they had nothing to steal at the start. Groups also limit how many times one gift can be stolen (for example three times), so the game can’t go on forever. Agree the ending rule before you start.
What should I write on the gift tag?
Write the recipient’s name and “From your Secret Santa”. If you want to stay anonymous, print the tag or ask someone else to write it, since handwriting is easy to recognise. Some groups add a riddle or a hint for a fun reveal.
Do you earn money from these gift ideas?
No. There are no affiliate links or sponsored products on this page, and nobody paid to be included. The ideas are generic so you can buy them wherever you like.
How did you choose these gift ideas?
They are general suggestions that suit most people at the budget: useful, consumable or fun things that are hard to get badly wrong. There are no product tests or reviews behind them, and prices vary a lot by shop and country, so check before you buy.
Updated · Written by the GiftShuffle team