What Is Secret Santa And How Did It Begin?

Are you ready for a fun and festive game of secret Santa? We all (secretly) love a bit of mystery and suspense! There’s a thrill to being someone’s secret Santa, and not knowing what you’ll be getting and from whom. Do you want to be the funny secret Santa or the rude secret Santa this year? Whatever you decide, there’s no excuse for boring gifts. At Menkind, we’ve got a superb collection of weird and wonderful Christmas gifts to spread the holiday cheer!

What is secret Santa?

It's a well known gift exchange game played among a group of friends, family or work colleagues in the time leading up to Christmas. Secret Santa gifts are swapped anonymously and a guessing game unfolds.

How did secret Santa begin?

The origin of secret Santa can be credited to the philanthropist Larry Dean Stewart, who came from humble beginnings. Back in 1971, he was homeless and starving. It so happened that he wandered into the Dixi diner in Houston Mississippi and ordered a large breakfast. He had no means of paying for the meal, and thought he would make a run for it before the bill came.

The owner of the diner, Ted Horn, saw through Larry’s hungry plan. He could’ve chased him away, but instead he handed Larry a $20 and said, “I think you may have dropped this.”

That single act of kindness made Larry vow that if his fortune ever changed he would return the favour. Long story short, Larry became a millionaire and became the first secret Santa. Every year, he went out on the streets during Christmas and handed out hundreds of $100 bills to random people across the United States.

How does secret Santa work?

All the participants are assigned with random recipients. The easiest way to organise this is to use the secret Santa online generator tool. To make buying gifts easier, participants are encouraged to share their wish lists.

It’s helpful to determine a budget that’s reasonable for everyone. On average, most gift exchanges have a price cap between £10 - £15. Head to our secret Santa gifts under £10 to make sure you don’t over or under spend this year.

The golden rule of the game is to keep your identity as someone’s secret Santa a secret.

Once all the gifts have been exchanged and opened, the recipients have to guess who their secret Santa was.

Best secret Santa gift ideas for of 2024:

• Colleague who loves a pint (maybe too much): Professor Puzzle Beer Goggles Game
  This hilarious game challenges players to complete tasks while wearing vision-distorting "beer goggles." Perfect for office party laughs or a pub-loving pal who takes banter to the next level.
• Marmite fanatic: Marmite Spreader in Yellow – Exclusive to Menkind
  For the die-hard Marmite lover, this quirky spreader is a must-have. Exclusive to Menkind, it’s the ultimate stocking filler for anyone whose morning isn’t complete without a Marmite fix.
• Tea addict: USB Cup Warmer by Ingenious
  Help them say goodbye to lukewarm brews! This USB-powered cup warmer keeps drinks toasty, making it the ultimate desk buddy for tea or coffee enthusiasts who work late.
• The office joker: Personalised Reindeer Poo Jar
  Looking for a gag gift? This jar of "Reindeer Poo" adds a personal touch to festive fun. A cheeky option for your Secret Santa who loves a good laugh.
• Tech nerdy friend: Wireless Charging Mouse Pad
  Level up their desk setup with this 2-in-1 gadget. It charges devices wirelessly while doubling as a smooth, stylish mouse pad—perfect for anyone who’s obsessed with cool tech.
• Shower-time karaoke king: Light-Up Shower Speaker
  Transform their bathroom into a concert hall with this waterproof speaker. The added light-up feature makes it a fun and practical gift for music lovers who like to belt out tunes in the shower.
• Up-and-coming influencer: Gooseneck Phone Holder
  This flexible phone holder is a game-changer for selfies, video calls, and content creation. Ideal for the aspiring TikToker or anyone who always needs the perfect angle.