Secret santa gifts: 10 brilliant and funny picks for UK offices in 2025

The office Secret Santa. That annual scramble to find something witty, appropriate, and within a budget that wouldn’t cover a round of drinks. It’s a minefield. Go too personal and it’s awkward; go too generic and it’s forgotten by Boxing Day. While other guides bang on about durability (fair enough), they often miss what makes a great office present: a proper laugh and a bit of festive spirit, all while navigating the unspoken rules of British workplace etiquette.

This list cuts through all that. We’ve picked ten brilliant and funny Secret Santa gifts for UK offices in 2025, focusing on stuff that’s actually amusing, decent quality, and gets the tone right. We’ll also cover the dos and don’ts, how to wrap it up nicely, and what to do if it all goes a bit pear-shaped. Let’s find that perfect present.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall Secret Santa Gift: HR Approved Ways to Tell Coworkers They Are Stupid. Office-themed wit that everyone gets.
• Best Budget Secret Santa Gift: Funny Dog Pooping Calendar 2026. Maximum laughs for a fiver.
• Best Premium/Thoughtful Pick: Funny 6 7 Meme Chocolate Gift for Teachers. Shows you’ve actually paid attention.

The 10 Best Secret Santa Gifts for 2025: In-Depth Reviews

1. HR Approved Ways to Tell Coworkers They Are Stupid – Best Overall

Why we like it: This little book is our top pick because it nails the brief. The HR Approved Ways to Tell Coworkers They Are Stupid is office-appropriate but still properly funny. It gives a witty outlet for those universal work frustrations, making it a standout Secret Santa gift that gets passed around the office with genuine chuckles.

Key Features:

• Workplace-Appropriate Wit: Turns common annoyances into clever, safe-to-say remarks.
• Secret Santa Perfection: Around £8, so it hits the budget sweet spot and makes you look thoughtful.
• Universal Office Appeal: Works in any UK workplace, from corporate to creative.

Pros:

• ✅ Gets a real, inclusive laugh.
• ✅ Great value for a clever gag gift.
• ✅ A safe bet for any office draw.

Cons:

• ❌ Lives or dies by the recipient’s sense of humour.
• ❌ It’s a novelty read, not a practical item.

Who is this for? Anyone after a funny, light-hearted office present. Ideal for the colleague with dry wit or as a reliable pick for your Secret Santa gifts exchange.

2. Swear Snap: A Card Game for Unashamed Adults – Best for Parties

Why we like it: The Swear Snap does exactly what it says. It’s a quick, cheeky, and surprisingly well-made bit of fun. A solid icebreaker for the right crowd.

Key Features:

• Quality Production: Sturdy cards that can handle a lively game night.
• Simple Social Gameplay: The rules are as easy as classic Snap.
• Adult-Themed Humour: Made for grown-ups who don’t mind a bit of colourful language.

Pros:

• ✅ Good build quality for the price.
• ✅ A reliable, no-fuss icebreaker.
• ✅ Consistently goes down well at casual dos.

Cons:

• ❌ The humour is niche and won’t suit every office.
• ❌ Not a strategic game—it’s just for quick laughs.

Who is this for? Adults after a simple, humorous game for post-work drinks or a team social with mates who share the same sense of humour.

3. The Calendar King - Cars of the 1970’s 2026 Calendar – Best for Petrolheads

Why we like it: This calendar makes sense because it combines specific nostalgia with actual use. The Cars of the 1970’s calendar is a thoughtful, functional gift that beats a generic one hands down.

Key Features:

• Niche 1970s Car Focus: A full-colour tribute to iconic motors.
• Practical A4 Wall Format: Easy to read at a desk.
• Multi-Purpose Gifting: Marketed for Christmas, birthdays, and Secret Santa gifts.

Pros:

• ✅ Great value as a themed, useful gift.
• ✅ The novelty angle is a good talking point.
• ✅ A practical size for most spaces.

Cons:

• ❌ Very specific theme limits who’ll appreciate it.
• ❌ A bit pricey for a paper calendar.

Who is this for? The classic car enthusiast in the office, or as a light-hearted gift for a colleague who likes a bit of retro style.

4. Things I Want To Say At Work But Can’t: Adult Coloring Book – Best for Stress Relief

Why we like it: This colouring book offers a brilliantly British, cathartic outlet. The Things I Want To Say At Work But Can’t provides a wry smile and a creative escape for those Monday morning blues.

Key Features:

• Workplace-Themed Humour: Pages full of relatable, tongue-in-cheek phrases.
• Substantial Page Count: Good value with plenty to colour.
• Dual-Purpose Design: Personal stress relief and a ready-made amusing gift.

Pros:

• ✅ Genuinely funny and relatable.
• ✅ Excellent value for money.
• ✅ A clever, light-hearted gag gift.

Cons:

• ❌ Might be a bit too pointed for very formal offices.
• ❌ Content might not match every single workplace gripe.

Who is this for? Office workers who’d enjoy cheeky, creative stress relief or anyone needing a witty, inexpensive Secret Santa gift.

5. Funny Dog Pooping Calendar 2026 – Best Budget Gift

Why we like it: This calendar delivers solid, silly humour for hardly any money. The Funny Dog Pooping Calendar is a well-made novelty that reliably raises a smile.

Key Features:

• Humorous, Quality Imagery: Amusing dog photos on decent paper.
• Practical A3 Wall Format: See a full month at a glance.
• Ready-to-Hang UK Design: Comes prepared for standard fixtures.

Pros:

• ✅ Properly funny and appeals to dog lovers.
• ✅ Exceptional value with sturdy construction.
• ✅ A reliably easy Secret Santa gifts option.

Cons:

• ❌ Function is mostly decorative/funny.
• ❌ The toilet humour won’t be for everyone.

Who is this for? Someone who appreciates daft canine comedy. A perfect, low-stakes gift for a mate or a Secret Santa gifts exchange.

6. Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Christmas Cracker – Best Edible Gift

Why we like it: This treat brings a touch of festive luxury without breaking the bank. The Lindt Lindor Christmas Cracker is a classic, well-executed indulgence.

Key Features:

• Festive Presentation: Cracker-shaped tube is instantly Christmassy.
• Signature Truffle Experience: That iconic smooth, melting chocolate.
• Budget-Friendly Gifting: Around £4, perfect for typical Secret Santa gifts budgets.

Pros:

• ✅ Great value for premium chocolate.
• ✅ Universally appealing—a very safe bet.
• ✅ Convenient, festive packaging.

Cons:

• ❌ Seasonal availability only.
• ❌ A generous individual treat, not for sharing.

Who is this for? Anyone needing a Secret Santa gift that’s both thoughtful and affordable. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

7. Funny 6 7 Meme Chocolate Gift for Teachers – Best Niche/Thoughtful Gift

Why we like it: This gift impresses with its witty thoughtfulness. The Funny 6 7 Meme Gift nails staffroom humour, showing you’ve thought beyond a generic present.

Key Features:

• In-Joke Perfection: Uses the specific “6 7” meme everyone in education knows.
• Thoughtful Chocolate Inclusion: Humour plus a classic treat.
• Ready-to-Give Presentation: A complete Secret Santa gifts solution.

Pros:

• ✅ Clever, memorable, and shows real thought.
• ✅ Excellent value for a humorous yet substantial gift.
• ✅ Every teacher will get it.

Cons:

• ❌ The humour is far too niche for anyone outside schools.
• ❌ It’s a consumable—gone once eaten.

Who is this for? The ideal Secret Santa gift for teachers, TAs, or school staff. Perfect for end-of-term levity.

8. The World’s Smallest Violin – Best Visual Gag Gift

Why we like it: This item is a masterclass in simple, effective visual humour. The World’s Smallest Violin gives you maximum comedic value as a prop for a bit of light-hearted sarcasm.

Key Features:

• Pure Visual Humour: Brings the well-known idiom to life.
• Exceptional Gag Value: Superb laughs-per-pound ratio.
• Universal Gifting Appeal: Fun for a colleague, dad, or partner.

Pros:

• ✅ Hilariously effective as a novelty.
• ✅ Incredibly budget-friendly.
• ✅ Compact and easy to wrap.

Cons:

• ❌ Makes no sound (that’s the point).
• ❌ Use is extremely limited.

Who is this for? Anyone after a genuinely funny, cheap gag gift for someone with a dry, visual sense of humour.

9. More or Less Card Game – Best Portable Social Game

Why we like it: This game is a brilliantly simple conversation starter. The More or Less Card Game sparks debate and laughter through random facts.

Key Features:

• Educational & Social Gameplay: Tests your judgement on facts.
• Extreme Portability: Compact deck ideal for the pub or train.
• Broad Demographic Appeal: Works for teens and adults.

Pros:

• ✅ Excellent for sparking conversation.
• ✅ Highly portable and versatile.
• ✅ Fantastic value as a stocking filler.

Cons:

• ❌ Gameplay is basic for board game buffs.
• ❌ Can feel repetitive after a while.

Who is this for? Friends, couples, or families wanting a no-fuss, engaging social game. A solid present for teens or adults.

10. The SHIIT Workout: Get Fit While You Sh*t – Best Novelty Read

Why we like it: This book is here for the sheer, daft entertainment value. The SHIIT Workout isn’t a fitness guide—it’s a brilliantly funny novelty that gets consistent laughs.

Key Features:

• Pure Novelty Value: Built around one glorious pun.
• Lighthearted Bathroom Reading: Easy escapism.
• High Gift-Appeal: Always well-received as a memorable, quirky present.

Pros:

• ✅ Excellent novelty gift with high entertainment value.
• ✅ Hilarious and quirky concept.
• ✅ People tend to love receiving it.

Cons:

• ❌ Offers zero actual fitness advice.
• ❌ It’s a one-joke book, so appeal is niche.

Who is this for? Anyone after a humorous novelty gift for a mate who appreciates the absurd, or as a cheeky stocking filler.

Core Features: Head-to-Head Comparison

Choosing between these brilliant Secret Santa gifts? Here’s how they stack up for humour, practicality, and office vibe.

The best office presents often balance a clear joke with either genuine use (like a calendar) or wide appeal (like chocolate). Think about your office culture—is it more formal, or is a bit of banter the norm?

Secret Santa Buying Guide: Who Should Buy What?

Stuck in the office Secret Santa gifts draw? Here’s how to match the right present from our list to your situation.

• For The Colleague You Don’t Know Well: Play it safe. The Lindt Lindor Christmas Cracker is a classic, or the Funny Dog Pooping Calendar offers inoffensive, silly fun. Both are top cheap secret santa gifts that won’t go wrong.

• For The Office Joker or Your Work Bestie: If you know they’ve got a good sense of humour, go for it. The HR Approved Ways to Tell Coworkers They Are Stupid book or the World’s Smallest Violin are perfect for a shared laugh.

• For a Team That Loves Socialising: Pick something that keeps giving. A game like More or Less or Swear Snap (for the right team!) can be used in the break room, making your gift the start of the fun.

• For a Specific Interest or Niche: Show you’ve noticed. The Cars of the 1970’s Calendar for a petrolhead, or the 6 7 Meme Gift for a teacher, shows thoughtfulness beyond the price tag.

• For a Stressful Workplace: Offer a bit of catharsis. The Things I Want To Say At Work But Can’t Colouring Book is a witty, creative outlet for daily grind, making it a surprisingly considerate secret santa gift for colleagues.

A Quick Wrapping Tip: Even a budget gift looks great with a bit of effort. Use recycled brown paper and string for a sustainable touch, or add a handwritten tag with a pun. A small, well-presented secret santa gift under £10 often feels more thoughtful than something expensive shoved in a bag.

Secret Santa FAQ: Your Etiquette Guide

Let’s tackle the real questions people have about office Secret Santa gifts.

What is a typical Secret Santa budget in the UK? It varies, but £5-£15 is standard for office swaps. Stick to the limit—going over makes others awkward, going way under looks cheap. Everything here fits that bracket.

What should you absolutely avoid giving as a Secret Santa gift? Steer clear of anything too personal (perfume, clothes unless you know the size), political, offensive, or perishable (unless it’s a clear treat like the Lindt chocolates). And avoid ‘junk’—a gift should have some value or humour.

How do you handle a bad or inappropriate gift gracefully? Smile, say thanks, and move on. The spirit of Secret Santa gifts is joining in, not getting the perfect present. You can always re-gift it quietly later. Making a fuss just ruins it for everyone.

What are some creative Secret Santa themes? Themes add fun! Try “Bad Taste Christmas Jumpers,” “Retro Rewind (80s/90s),” “Local Heroes,” or “Sustainable Santa.” A theme like “Witty & Wonderful” would suit most gifts here, from the HR book to the SHIIT Workout book.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect Secret Santa gifts for your UK office doesn’t have to be a chore. Aim for something that sparks a bit of joy—a proper laugh, a moment of recognition, or just a quality treat. Whether you go for the universally witty HR Approved Ways to Tell Coworkers They Are Stupid, the brilliantly silly Dog Pooping Calendar, or the thoughtfully niche 6 7 Meme Gift, you’re picking a present that adds to the festive spirit.

Bottom line? The best secret santa gifts for colleagues come with a bit of thought and a smile. Now go on, gift well, and may your draw be forever in your favour.