15 Christmas Gifts Under $30 So You Can Skip The Secret Santa Stress

Best Secret Santa gifts in 2024

Put a finger down if you love receiving gifts but get stressed out over gift shopping. Put a finger down if you feel personally victimised by Secret Santa roulettes, because there’s nothing harder than getting a gift for a random colleague you don’t know that well. 

Since we’re typing this 2 fingers short, the ZULA team is in the same boat. Let’s be real: Secret Santa shopping isn’t easy. You’ve got to work with a limited budget, for one. Plus, if you don’t know your Secret Santee well enough, you’re facing down a proper challenge. 

Still, this is no cause to be that person gifting a generic hand cream set that will just gather dust in a bathroom drawer somewhere. If 2024 is the year of being very demure and very mindful, you can channel that spirit into your Secret Santa gift exchange with some help from our guide to the best Christmas gifts under $30. 

Also read:

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1. Hydro Flask 28 Oz All Around Tumbler

For the person who always has a hot (or cold) drink in hand.

Help your Secret Santa recipient swap our their janky office mug for this Hydro Flask baby, which promises to keep your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for up to 6 hours. More cherries on top: the tumbler also comes with a spill-proof and straw-compatible lid, and can fit in most car cup holders.

Get the Hydro Flask 28 Oz All Around Tumbler for $29.31 on Amazon.

2. Real Techniques Miracle Complex Sponge

For the beauty gworlie.

We’re willing to bet that anyone who wears makeup nowadays has a beauty sponge on their vanity. However, we’re not willing to stake our money on whether said sponge is kept clean. That’s why, brand new extras are always welcome, especially when they’re the Real Techniques Miracle Complex Sponge. This gem goes toe-to-toe with higher-end beauty blenders at just half the price.

Get the Real Techniques Miracle Complex Sponge for $13 on Amazon.

3. UNO Show ‘Em NO Mercy

For the hypercompetitive extrovert. 

We all know that one person who brings the needlessly competitive vibe to the table. Give them an avenue to channel all that by getting them the UNO Show ‘Em NO Mercy card game. This levels up your run-of-the-mill game of UNO with 56 chaotic additional cards, including new rules “skip everyone”, “discard all”, and having to end your game if you’ve got more than 25 cards on hand. Try to stay friends after playing.

Get the UNO Show ‘Em NO Mercy for $11.64 on Amazon.

4. Kinto Coffee Server

For the person who makes being addicted to caffeine their personality. 

If you know someone who decided to graduate from Starbucks to homebrews with actual coffee beans, get them this Kinto Coffee Server. The beautiful glass pitcher, available in 300ml or 600ml sizes, makes the ritual of making one’s own morning coffee a touch more refined. 

Get the Kinto Coffee Server for $21 on Nylon Coffee Roasters.

5. Concerts Remembered: Concert Journal

For the person who is a permanent resident at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

2025 is looking to be a big year for concerts in Singapore. The one person you know that’s always posting Instagram Stories from the Singapore Indoor Stadium might love to get their hands on Concerts Remembered, a concert journal that lets them chronicle each live show they’ve attended.  You can get a hard copy that’s a little out of budget, or opt for the wallet-friendly digital copy that can be used on a tablet.

Get the digital Concert Journal for US$10 (~S$13.40) on Concerts Remembered.

Also read:

22 Concerts To Look Forward To In 2025—From Seventeen To Glass Animals

6. Tai’s Kitchen Hot Sauces

For the person who must get everything with a side of chilli.

We all know that one person who has a chronic need to have every meal with a side of chilli. Trust when we say they’ll love you for upgrading their Maggi Chilli Sauce sidekick with an artisanal hot sauce or sambal. Tai’s Kitchen, a homegrown business run by a former food scientist, has gift sets of her hot sauce blends, each crafted to embody the spice profiles of different countries. Time to host your own episode of Hot Ones.

Get Tai’s Kitchen’s Gift Set 2x for $22.60 on Tai’s Kitchen.

7. The Paper Bunny Bottle Bags

For the Owala convert.

Water bottles today are as much of an accessory as they are practical—see the hype around customising Owala bottles. For the hydrated homie whose water bottle is practically a third limb, gift them this Bottle Bag from The Paper Bunny. Aside from being a cute way to tote around a water bottle around, the Bottle Bag is also multifunctional. It doubles as a carryall for an umbrella, bubble tea, or the wine bottles your Secret Santee will probably be lugging around this festive season.

Get the Bottle Bag for $15 on The Paper Bunny.

Also read:

I Used The Viral Owala Bottle For A Year. Is It Worth The Hype?

8. Baggu Puffy Earbuds Case

For the person who always has their Airpods in.

Christmas is coming! Oh my god, he’s got AirPods in. Sure, it’s an old meme, but we all know someone who fits the bill. Help them keep their AirPods safe and secure by gifting them an a case for their earphones. We’re big fans of Baggu’s cute puffy number, made with recycled fabric. Aside from AirPods, it can fit a range of similar-sized earbuds. 

Get the Baggu Puffy Earbuds Case for $25 at The Editor’s Market.

9. Muziktiger Bag Charms

For the person with more keychains than keys.

Bag charms and keychains are one of the biggest accessory trends in 2024, with numerous TikTok shops now offering custom designs featuring POP MART, Sonny Angels, and other collectables. If you don’t have the time to DIY a bag charm, you can stil ace the Secret Santa game with Muziktiger’s adorable keychain and bag plush range.

Get Muziktiger keychains and bag charms from $15.95 at Paper Market.

Also read:

These SG TikTok Businesses Are Selling Viral DIY Sonny Angel Keychains From Just $12

10. Juniper Stoneware Trinket Dish

For that person who always empties their pockets first thing when they arrive.

If you know—or you are—someone who always empties your pockets upon reaching somewhere new, you’ll know how important it is to have all your barang in one spot. Make that spot prettier by gifting a trinket dish. We recommend Juniper Stoneware, who make gorgeous trinket trays adorned with surreal animal illustrations. 

Get Juniper Stoneware trinket dishes for $15 on Anthropologie.

11. We’re Not Really Strangers: Healing Edition

For the person always posting self-help quotes on main.

We’re Not Really Strangers, the purpose-driven card game, is a great gift for loved ones on a self-help journey. Since launch, the game has expanded with different editions, where questions hone in on family, friendship, and even breakup dynamics. A recent Healing Edition release sees cards with questions about one’s mental health journey, which doubles as great journal prompts.

Get We’re Not Really Strangers: Healing Edition for $18.96 on Amazon.

12. Italian Charm Bracelets

For the token Gen Z.

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This year has seen the rise of personalised charm bracelets and necklaces, with brands big and small hopping on the trend. Italian charm bracelets are having their particular moment in the limelight. Unlike a regular charm bracelet, these “Italian” charms are soldered onto modular links that interconnect to form a flat bracelet, resembling a thin watch band. 

Many Etsy and Carousell shops now offer pre-designed Italian charm bracelets for under $30, but if you’re besties with your Secret Santee, there’s always the option to DIY one for them with personalised charms.

Get Italian charm bracelets on Etsy. 

Also read:

Create A Viral Charm Necklace Under $100 At This Beach Road Jewellery Store

13. Tamagotchi

For the token Gen Z (or millennial-in-denial). 

Global Tamagotchi sales have skyrocketed since 2022 as the nostalgic virtual pet simulator game makes a comeback amongst Gen Zs. If you know a millennial who wants to relive their childhood, or a fellow Gen Z who has yet to get on the bandwagon, give them the gift of responsibility, er, we mean Tamagotchi, this Christmas.

Get a Tamagotchi Original for $29.11 on Amazon.

14. Kitsch Heatless Curling Set

For the girl that always has a curler in her bangs at the office.

Heatless curls have been all the rage for their ability to give you a blowout that is the definition of “I woke up woke up like this”. Treat someone to lazy girl beauty this festive season by bagging them a set. ICYMI: heatless curls work by wrapping damp or slightly wet hair around soft tools like fabric strips, rollers, or foam rods that shape it into curls as it dries, eliminating the need for heat. Many of these sets are so comfortable, you can sleep in them. Kitsch’s set is made with satin, making them extra comfortable.

Get Kitsch’s Heatless Curling for $12.90 on Lazada.

Also read: 

8 Easy Ways To Curl Your Hair With Everyday Items And No Hair Curler

15.  Muji Fragrance Candle 

For the person who unironically wears sweaters in Singapore.

Yeah, candles aren’t an especially original Secret Santa gift, but if it ain’t broke, why fix it? We’re big fans of Muji’s Fragrance Candles, including their glass series where scents evoke nature, from a grassy field to petrichor. The minimalist packaging is also a big plus for the house proud.

Get Muji’s Fragrance Candle from $5.90 on Muji.

Best Christmas gifts under $30

We hope this Christmas gift guide helps you figure our a present for your Secret Santa or a special someone this year P.S.: If all else fails, vouchers are always welcome.

Also read:

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All images courtesy of respective brands.