Life
Holiday shopping has never been particularly easy, especially when it comes to Secret Santa. Some years I’m tempted to just get everyone gift cards and be done with it. But it’s usually a nice gesture to put a little thought into the Secret Santa gifts for friends. After all, you’re probably hoping that your own gift shopper would do the same for you.
While the rules may vary from group to group, most Secret Santa exchanges are pretty fun events that let you shop for one person in secret. Once this gift is opened, your recipient tries to guess who provided the gift. So naturally, you want to give the most thoughtful, on-point present possible.
To help make sure everyone gets a gift they will actually use, your gift recipient’s name will usually come with a couple of hobbies or interests listed to start you off in the right direction. (And it’s fun to learn about your friends’ secret interests; who knew you had a knitting aficionado at CrossFit?) Use this information to your advantage. So whether your gift recipient is a kickball league all-star, a beauty junkie, or even a chocolate devotee, you can be certain to give them a present they will keep enjoying long after the holidays have passed.
1
For Your Wine Aficionado
ChillaVino 4-in-1 wine chiller ($18) is a super-quick way to keep your wine cool. Not to mention a professional pourer is classy AF.
2
For The Gym Class Hero
Adult kickball leagues seem to tear through their equipment pretty quickly. Help your buddy stock up with a Mikasa Sports Usa Mikasa kickball ($9) or two. And once the weather warms up, you can challenge your pal to a game.
3
For The Beauty Junkie
Too many nail polishes? Never. Spoil your favorite lacquer lover with this OPI mini nail lacquer set ($19 for 10). With classic shades like Bubble Bath and Big Apple Red, your buddy will get many manicures from this kit.
4
For The Game-Night Host
Have you played Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity a million times? Why not spice up game night with Exploding Kittens ($20), a card game illustrated by The Oatmeal? It's a strategic version of Russian Roulette in which players try to avoid drawing the Exploding Kitten card (and yes, it's exactly as ridiculous as it sounds).
5
For The Health Nut
A health-concious friend can never have enough water bottles (even if they have 15 in their kitchen cabinet.) If your buddy uses the word hydrate in normal conversation, this Embrava Best Sports Water Bottle ($20) is sure to hit the spot. It's leak-proof, BPA free, and designed to fit in most bike racks and cup holders -- basically, everything you could want out of one water bottle.
6
For The Coffee Fiend
We all have that one friend whose blood content is mostly coffee. For the friend whose blood content is mostly coffee, the Bean Box Seattle gourmet coffee sampler ($20) gives them a choice of four gourmet coffees, as well as roaster profiles and tasting notes. This allows them to test out some new brews, while getting their daily fix.
7
For The Mustachioed
If your buddy's still rocking that 'stache well past Movember, help him keep his groove going with the Van Der Hagen men's luxury shave set ($33). A badger hair brush and shave soap will help him look sharp in style.
8
For The Chocoholic
If your friend is always in need of a chocolate pick-me-up, the Chuao Chocolatier's Taste The Joy Gift set ($10) is sure to the perfect gift. Filled with eight chocolate bars, ranging in flavors from Spicy Maya to Pop Corn Pop, this box won't make it till New Year's Eve.
9
For The Budding Gardener
Your friend doesn't need a green thumb to appreciate Hinterland Trading's teardrop terrarium ($18). It's a low-maintenance plant that will cute-ify any space, especially if they don't have enough room for a whole garden.
10
For The Creative Type
Adult coloring books are all the rage now, and Color Me Calm ($11) has over 100 designs for your friend to fill in. Throw in some colored pencils for a complete gift.
11
For The Tea Lover
The perfect gift during cold weather, Tea Forte's winter collection ($15) will keep your friend warm while allowing them to sample fav from Rum Raisin Biscotti to Harvest Apple Spice. You may even be tempted to buy a second box for yourself.
