17 awesome gifts under $50 for your office's Secret Santa pool
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NBC UniversalIt’s that time of year again. Despite having months to mentally prepare yourself, though, you never know what to give the person you drew in Secret Santa. The usual price limits aside (it's generally about $25 or $50), gift getting can be especially tricky if said person is your coworker, or worse, your boss.
To help ease your stress levels and minimize your time spent shopping, we found 17 affordable and appropriate office gifts, from decadent hot chocolate mixes to French Press to-go mugs, from quirky desk knickknacks to whiskey stones. There's something for every character at your job.
A decked out to-go mug
NBC UniversalWe all know those people who cannot really start their day until they've had their morning brew; maybe your desk mate is one of them. Give them a travel mug with a little something extra to it. This one from Bodum doubles as a French Press.
Check out more gifts for avid coffee and tea drinkers here.
A decadent hot chocolate mix
NBC UniversalHot chocolate is a perfect wintertime treat for the coworker you drew in this year's Secret Santa. This artisanal malt and vanilla mix is made in Concord, MA, and it's definitely a step up from the Swiss Miss packs you'll find in your grocery store.
Cocoa Santé Malted Vanilla Hot Chocolate, $12, available at Mouth.
A cool desk knickknack
NBC UniversalA desk without a few personal touches just look sad. So give the big kid at your office something that'll be fun to put together during their lunch break and look cool next to their computer.
Areaware Small Guthrie Cubebot, $18, available at Amazon and East Dane.
A set of whiskey stones
NBC UniversalJust like ice cubes, these all-natural soapstone cubes chill your favorite spirits, but, unlike ice, they don't melt. So every sip of your boss' pricey whiskey will taste good going down.
Teroforma Large Whiskey Stones (Set of 2), $19.95, available at Amazon.
A plant for your coworker's workspace
NBC UniversalLike flowers, plants make great gifts for pretty much any holiday or special occasion. A small succulent like this one from The Sill may help to brighten up some of the dreary winter days to come. Your teammate will appreciate the thought.
The Sill The Kokedama, $48, available at The Sill.
A container of chocolate drizzled popcorn
NBC UniversalChocolate drizzled popcorn. There's not much not to like here.
FREDS at Barneys New York Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn Tub, $28, available at Barneys New York.
A TSA-friendly skincare kit
NBC UniversalAir travel is enough of a headache without trying to squeeze all of your toiletries into a single plastic baggie. If you know the person you're buying for is traveling over the holidays this year, TSA-friendly versions of (MALIN+GOETZ)’s best-selling products will make it easy to do so without sacrificing their skincare regimen.
Check out more holiday travel essentials here.
(MALIN+GOETZ) Essential Travel Kit, $30, available at Birchbox and MR PORTER.
A portable Bluetooth speaker
NBC UniversalFor the music lover at your job, there are quality Bluetooth speakers you can purchase for well less than $100. This one from G-Project will set your wallet back just $40.
Check out more portable Bluetooth speakers here. Also check out headphones under $100 here.
G-Project G-Tube, $39.99, available at Amazon.
A flask that speaks the truth
NBC UniversalYou can't go wrong gifting this flask to your office happy hour buddy.
Check out more home bar tools and accessories here.
IZOLA Dorothy Parker Flask, $27.58, available at Amazon.
A greeting card
NBC UniversalWhile we'd strongly discourage you giving your Secret Santa pick just a card, there's something to be said for writing out holiday greetings to your teammates. It's just a nice gesture.
La Familia Green 'Have A Cozy Christmas' Card, $4.50, available at Madewell.
A 2016 desk calendar
NBC UniversalThere's no time like the present to start thinking about next year. A planner or desk calendar is a solid gift to give the coworker you don't know that well. Or, the one who loves stationery. If you're looking to impress, splurge on this one from Sugar Paper. If you're adhering to a strict price limit, Rifle Paper Co. makes great ones for under $20.
Sugar Paper 2016 Classic Black Calendar with Gold Stand, $56, available at Sugar Paper.
A set of handmade coasters
NBC UniversalJust any set of coasters might feel kind of random, but these won't — they look great. They'll be a welcome decor addition to most anyone's living room.
Anthropologie Celestial Coaster Set, $40, available at Anthropologie.
A throw blanket
NBC UniversalSometimes your office is boiling, other times it's just plain freezing. Throw blankets and fickle thermostats go hand-in-hand, making the former a great gift this season. For an extra $9, you can add your coworker's name or initials to this one from West Elm, which also comes in four other colors.
West Elm Warmest Throw, $32 (add a monogram or name, $9 each), available at West Elm.
A stylish key chain
NBC UniversalInstead of buying a bag for someone you don't know very well (those can get pretty expensive anyway), opt for a small purse charm instead. This way, you're much more likely to hit the fashion target while staying within your budget.
Etienne Aigner Evil Eye Keychain, $35, available at Etienne Aigner.
A cookbook by Magnus Nilsson
NBC UniversalAimlessly scanning The New York Times best-seller list is futile if you're not sure whether your giftee prefers fiction or nonfiction. Spend money on a new cookbook instead. After all, who isn't interested in food during the holidays? This one's by Magnus Nilsson, who you may remember from Netflix's "Chef's Table" or PBS' "The Mind of a Chef".
"The Nordic Cookbook" by , $32.15, available at Amazon.
A canvas strap watch
NBC UniversalYour coworker already has a nice leather watch for the office. Get him a casual one he can wear outdoors and on the weekends — Timex watches are both stylish and inexpensive.
Check out more affordable watches here.
Timex Weekender Watch with Nylon Strap, $25.99, available at Amazon.
A scented candle
NBC UniversalCandles are classic holiday gifts. Here's the thing though: You can never get or give too many of them since their wax eventually burns out. Opt for one with a crowd-pleasing scent — this one has options in spiced pumpkin and amber and moss. There's much less risk of someone hating it.
P.F. Candle Co. Candle, $18, available at Madewell.