There’s nothing like a the stress of an empty stocking, a strict budget or a tricky-to-buy-for acquaintance to make us reach for dull cliches. But there’s more to Secret Santa gifts than a box of chocolates or a novelty joke book. And there’s no need to fill a stocking with tat. We round up the best original, thoughtful and inspiring gifts – to suit budgets from £5 - £25.
With charmingly old school style packaging and the rich, moisturising goodness of an emollient, this Portuguese Vaseline is our go-to for chapped winter skin. And it’s a steal at just £2.
£2 from Labour and Wait. Click here to buy.
If someone really really likes their phone, they should obey Beyonce and put a ring on it. This little gadget is a gamechanger. It sticks to any phone and makes it ultra easy to hold by looping through a finger (no more drops and smashed screen).
£3.50 with a selection of designs on Asos and Typo.
The golden rule when gifting food is that it must be luxurious and frivolous. This Cotswold honey laced with white truffle fits the bill, makes a welcome change from all the boxes of choc and will make the simplest cheese board wonderfully decadent.
£9.99 from Selfridges. Click here to buy.
A tidy desk means a tidy mind. Impress the minimalist in your life with this sleek and simple system for hiding away all kinds of desk detritus.
£8.95 from Muji. Click here to buy.
You don’t have to be a misty-eyed mystic to appreciate the appeal of crystals. Infuse your water with special crystalline properties and stay hydrated without clogging the planet with plastic. Choose from balance, courage, clarity, vision and much more – or just pick the prettiest crystal colours.
£21 from Psychic Tree. Click here to buy.
Open beers in a flash whenever the moment strikes with this lightening-shaped opener. It's the perfect size for your pocket and can be clipped onto keys.
£12 from the Conran Shop. Click here to buy.
Give a gift that keeps on giving. There’s a different compliment printed onto each pencil in this set, promising plenty of little pick me up through dull note-taking sessions.
£10.36 from Liberty. Click here to buy.
The caffeine-fiend in your life will most likely be gifted plenty of bags of artisan beans. Be original and useful by giving him a tool to keep that coffee fresh and to dose it out everyday. This coffee clip and scoop is a smart multi-tasker with an elegant brass finish.
£10 from Rockett St George. Click here to buy.
Bored of all the merchandise emblazoned with ‘feminist’? Show your commitment to the fight and honour the centenary of women voting by hanging a Suffragette on the Christmas tree.
£13.50 from the V&A. Click here to buy.
Give the gift of self-reflection and help someone to stay picture perfect. This chic little standing mirror will brighten up a desk or sit prettily on a bathroom shelf.
£10 from Chickadee Homeware. Click here to buy.
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