Secret Santa Gifts Under $35 That Won't End Up in a Drawer
The best Secret Santa gifts under $35 get used after December. Here's how to pick one for a coworker or friend, why a graphic tee often beats a mug, and how to get the size right.
By SkyMade Design · · 6 min read
Good Secret Santa gifts under $35 share one trait: the person still uses them in February. If you've drawn a name and you're staring at the budget, this guide covers what works for coworkers and friends, why a graphic tee often beats the default mug, and how to pick a size and design for someone you barely know.
What makes a good Secret Santa gift under $35
A $35 cap is generous by Secret Santa standards. Most office exchanges sit at $20 to $30, so you've got room to buy 1 good thing instead of 3 forgettable ones. That's the main rule: 1 item they'll use beats a bundle of filler.
The gifts that land usually tick 3 boxes:
- It's about them, not about Christmas. A gift tied to a hobby, a sport or a running office joke shows you paid attention. A gift tied to the holiday gets packed away with the decorations.
- It works outside the office. If it only makes sense at their desk, it lives at their desk until someone cleans it out.
- It's low risk. No perfume, no strong opinions, nothing that needs a conversation with HR.
Why a graphic tee beats another mug
Every office Secret Santa produces at least 1 mug. Most people already own more mugs than shelf space, and a novelty mug ends up at the back of the cupboard by spring.
A graphic tee has a better shot, for 3 reasons:
- It gets worn in public. A shirt about their hobby turns into a small conversation starter every time they put it on.
- It's personal without being private. Clothing tied to an interest feels thoughtful, but it doesn't ask you to know them well.
- It fits the budget properly. A well-made printed tee lands under $35, so you're not padding the gift with candy to reach the limit.
The catch is size and taste, which is why the rest of this guide is about getting those 2 right.
Secret Santa gift ideas by who you drew
The coworker who plays pickleball
You'll know who they are: the one with a paddle bag under the desk and opinions about the kitchen line. A pickleball tee with a light joke is close to a guaranteed win, because it's specific to them and nobody else in the office will have given it.
The Halloween Pickleball Skeletons tee shows 2 skeletons playing doubles under a night sky. It reads cute rather than scary, so it's safe for a work exchange, and it's still a good shirt for open play long after Halloween. Browse the rest on the pickleball shirts page, and if you want more ideas, see our pickleball gifts for players guide.
The coffee person
Every team has one: the person who brings beans from home and judges the office machine. Skip the bag of coffee they'd have bought better themselves.
The Slow Mornings Better Days tee is a vintage-style illustration of coffee, flowers, a candle, books and a classic camera. It suits the coffee lover, the weekend photographer, and anyone who guards their Saturday morning.
The friend who's always on holiday
For the person whose phone background is a beach, go bright. The Stay Wild Tiger tee puts a tiger in sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt against a neon sunset and palm trees.
It's loud on purpose, which makes it a better fit for a friends' exchange than a quiet office. More in the same style on the GTA style shirts page.
The one you know nothing about
Pick the safest version of a shirt: a design with no words, in a neutral colour like black, navy or heather grey. Illustrations travel better than slogans, because a slogan has to match someone's sense of humour and a picture only has to look good.
How to pick a size for someone you barely know
Size is where clothing gifts go wrong, so take 2 minutes over it:
- Look at what they wear. Note whether their usual tees look snug or roomy. Most adults wear a medium or large in a standard fit.
- When torn, size up. A slightly loose tee gets worn as a lounge shirt. A tight one doesn't get worn.
- Ask a co-conspirator. The organiser or a close teammate can often find out without spoiling the surprise.
- Check the chart, not the label. Fits vary between brands. Our t-shirt size guide explains how to measure a shirt they already own.
The honest part: made-to-order and gift receipts
Every shirt in our shop is printed after you order it, for 1 person. That means a classic gift receipt doesn't apply: a change of mind or a wrong size can't be returned for a refund, because there's no shelf to put the shirt back on.
What is covered: anything that arrives misprinted, damaged, defective, or as the wrong item or size gets replaced or refunded within 30 days, and you don't need to post it back. So the only real risk is your size guess, which is why the section above matters.
When to order for Christmas
Made-to-order takes a little longer than grabbing something from a store. Production takes 2 to 5 working days, then US delivery takes 3 to 6 working days with tracking. Allow about 2 to 3 weeks in total, and add a buffer in December when carriers are busy. If your exchange is in the last week before Christmas, order by the start of December to be safe.
We currently ship to the US only. Shipping is priced at checkout from the real address, and orders over $75 ship free, which helps if you're buying for your Secret Santa and 2 more people on your list. Everything is on the shop page.
More gift guides
If you've got a bigger list to finish, try our Christmas t-shirt gift ideas or the guide to gifts for someone who has everything.
FAQ
What's a good Secret Santa gift under $35?
Something tied to the person's hobby that they'll use after December, like a graphic tee about their sport or a design that fits their style. One good item beats a bundle of small extras.
Is a t-shirt a good Secret Santa gift for a coworker?
Yes, if you keep it safe: pick a design about a hobby they've mentioned, avoid political or edgy slogans, and choose a neutral colour. Get the size right by looking at what they usually wear and sizing up when unsure.
What if my Secret Santa gift is the wrong size?
Our shirts are printed to order, so a wrong size you chose can't be refunded. If we send the wrong size or the shirt arrives misprinted or damaged, we replace or refund it within 30 days.
How early should I order a Secret Santa shirt?
Allow 2 to 3 weeks: 2 to 5 working days to print, then 3 to 6 working days for US delivery. In December, order by the start of the month to be safe.
