Secret Santa gifts under £10: 23 ideas with real prices

Office and family Secret Santa draws often come with a £10 limit, and finding something decent for that money takes a bit of hunting. We searched the gift pages at John Lewis, M&S and LEGO and found plenty at £10 or less when we checked on 1 November. Some are reduced, with no end date shown, so prices may have moved by the time you buy.

At a glance

• Cheapest treat: Jelly Belly Assorted Bean Tin, 65g, £4.87 at John Lewis (shown as was £6.50).
• Best for game fans: Uno, £8.99 at John Lewis (shown as was £11.99).
• LEGO under £10: Botanicals Cosmos Flowers 11514, £9.74 at John Lewis, or Yellow Taxi 40468, £8.99 at LEGO.
• Chocolate: Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Chocolate Puddles, 115g, £8 at John Lewis.
• Pocket money toys: 6 for £5 at The Works, which is now in-store only.

Food and drink

• Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Chocolate Puddles, 115g: £8 at John Lewis.
• Hotel Chocolat Everything Chocolate Box, 6 pieces: £8.50 at John Lewis, shown as was £10.
• Shortbread House of Edinburgh Clotted Cream Shortbread, 140g: £8.50 at John Lewis.
• Yep Kitchen Sichuan Chilli Crisp, 160g: £7 at John Lewis.
• House of Dorchester Merry Christmas Milk Chocolate Orange Bar, 85g: £5 at John Lewis.
• Jelly Belly Assorted Bean Tin, 65g: £4.87 at John Lewis, shown as was £6.50.

Desk and home

• John Lewis White Jasmine Scented Candle, 200g: £7, shown as was £10.
• John Lewis Lavender & Eucalyptus Tin Scented Candle, 225g: £4.90, shown as was £7.
• John Lewis In This Colour Stoneware Mug, 385ml: £8.
• Tinc Metallic Pencils, set of 12: £8 at John Lewis.
• Uberstar Champagne & Prosecco Star Bottle Opener: £6 at John Lewis.
• Percy Pig Blind Box Hanging Decoration: £8 at M&S.

Pampering

• Heatless Curler: £8 at M&S.
• Microfibre Hair Turban: £8 at M&S.
• Reusable Makeup Removing Pads: £8 at M&S.

Games and toys

• Uno card game: £8.99 at John Lewis, shown as was £11.99.
• Waboba Bounceback Moon Ball: £8.99 at John Lewis.
• Squishmallows Little Plush Mystery Capsule: £6.99 at John Lewis.
• Talking Tables Santa Hair Clip: £8.50 at John Lewis.
• LEGO Botanicals 11514 Cosmos Flowers: £9.74 at John Lewis.
• LEGO Yellow Taxi 40468, Cute Hamster with a Flower 31376 or Police Car 60312: £8.99 each at LEGO.

The Works has 6 for £5 on pocket money toys and 3 for £3 on birthday cards. Its website now says it is "an in-store only retailer", so you'll need to go to one of its shops.

A worked example

Say you're in three Secret Santa draws this year, at work, with friends and in the family, each with a £10 limit. You could buy:

• Uno for the family draw: £8.99
• Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Chocolate Puddles for a colleague: £8
• Heatless Curler for a friend: £8

That's £24.99 for all three, £5.01 under the £30 you were allowed. If you were buying online and spending under a shop's free-delivery threshold, delivery could wipe out that saving, so click and collect, or buying in a shop, is often the cheaper way to get small presents.

What to do now

1. Check the rules of your draw: the limit, the date and whether it's a joke gift or a proper one.
2. Ask about allergies and diets before buying food or chocolate, or pick something that isn't edible.
3. Avoid strong scents if you don't know the person well. A mug or game is safer than a candle.
4. Ask for a gift receipt so they can swap it. M&S takes back full-price items bought on or after 22 October 2026 until 17 January 2027.
5. Group small buys together to reach free delivery, or use click and collect.

Questions

Is £10 the usual Secret Santa limit?

There isn't a rule. £5, £10 and £20 are all common. Whoever runs the draw sets it, so ask if nobody has said.

Should I wait for Black Friday?

For a £10 present the saving is small, and Black Friday is not until 27 November. If your draw is in early December, buy once you see a fair price.

Can I return something bought online?

Usually, yes. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations you can cancel most online orders within 14 days of delivery. Personalised items and goods that go off quickly are among the exceptions.

Sources: John Lewis: Secret Santa gifts, M&S: gifts under £20, LEGO: sets for ages 6+, The Works, M&S: returns and refunds, Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28

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