The beauty of Secret Santa is its simplicity: one gift, one recipient. But when you’re tasked with shopping for someone you don’t know all that well, the stakes can feel surprisingly high.
Fear not. From versatile homewares to indulgent treats, we’ve curated a guide that has everything you need to strike the right chord – minus the overthinking.
The 17 best Secret Santa gifts under $50
Any Day Now 2025 diary
$40
Scribbling tangible words on paper – is there anything quite like it? As someone who works in digital media, I prefer to stay organised the old fashioned way (honestly, just anything to lower my screen time). The Freestyler diary features a funky, playful design with various page layouts: daily to-do lists, evening journals, shopping lists, calendar views, and more.Ultra Violette Future Proof On-The-Fly gift set
$32
’Tis the season of long sunny days, beach trips and bushwalks, meaning slopping sunscreen on is more important than ever. Ultra Violette’s travel-friendly SPF duo fits effortlessly into your bag and includes one cream and one mist for easy, regular top-ups throughout the day. And for beauty lovers who want an extra glow? There’s also the Ultra Violette Lil Glow Givers set ($28) for hydrating heroes that promise a tinted, sun-safe result.Frank Green snack container
$50
Because on-the-go snacks are important. Featuring a leak-resistant design for mess-free travel, Frank Green’s new food container is designed to keep food fresh while also being an aesthetic solution for your desk or while out and about.Hagen’s Christmas Pudding ham glaze
$12
In a limited edition collaboration between Melbourne-based butcher Hagen’s Organics and Darling Distillery, this ham glaze is designed to level-up Christmas day. With a rich flavour profile, it’s full of spice, citrus notes and holiday cheer – and makes a delicious choice for any foodies you might be shopping for.Lil’ Stones printed stone pyramid
$48
For something a little more personal, these frustums by Lil’ Stones follow an architectural concept that redefines the way we treasure cherished memories at home. You can print your digital images – art, photography or pictures with friends – to the face of handmade, pyramid-shaped forms that make for meaningful geometric home decor.Thirsty Turtl minis pack
$49
For on-the-go or for weekends spent away, travel-sized skincare always comes in handy. This set includes a cream-to-foam cleanser, brightening day cream and overnight barrier cream, all made with First Nations botanicals – like white cypress and bush tomato – and formulated for the Australian climate.Tax red wine vinegar
$30
Made from nouveau syrah grown in the Yarra Valley, Tax is an amped-up kitchen staple designed to sit proudly on your kitchen bench. It’s fruit- and tannin- forward, and calls for macerated berries, pan sauces, roast garlic and poached octopus. It’s currently sold out on the brand’s site, but there’s still some stock available via Florian Home.Thieves Coffee flowers and Huskee cup set
$50
Made from repurposed coffee husk waste, Huskee is a fan favourite for reusable eco-friendly cups. This gift set by Thieves Coffee pairs the cup’s functional design with a bouquet of dried, natural flowers that lasts up to two years. If your budget is lower, Thieves also offers a bag of this month’s feature coffee beans for $20.Frank Green Paws and Play gift set
$50
Is your gift recipient a paw-rent? The Paws and Play gift set includes two boredom-busting pet toys by Frank Green, alongside a delicious bag of Lyka treats for hours of zoomie-worthy entertainment.Öde Studio Plume candle
$50
A candle is always a good idea. Designed and hand-poured in Melbourne, Öde Studio’s collection spotlights a trio of scents inspired by the rich and diverse Victorian landscape. Plume is smoky, woody, with a little zest and deep plum, but there’s also Balm and Bramble, too.Non 3 Toasted Cinnamon and Yuzu drink
$30
Moving into summer, it’s nice to have some non-alcoholic alternatives in the fridge ready to grab and go for park hangs. Non is the Melbourne-based label producing non-alcoholic wines of food-pairing calibre – and written on the drinks list at some of Australia’s top fine diners. The cinnamon and yuzu flavour profile is bright, tart and balanced with a savoury undertone.Citta amber teapot
$40
The ritual of brewing your first morning tea is a treasured one – and it deserves some attention. This modern, amber-hued glass teapot by Kiwi design house Citta is a contemporary take on the classic ceramic brewer that we know and love, and its transparent design means you’ll always know when you need a top-up.Sage & Clare Zelia stripe tea towel
$32
Beautiful, considered homewares are the Kris Kringle crowd-pleaser – and the Zelia tea towel is just that. Woven in a textured waffle cotton for softness and absorbency, the Zelia’s cobalt blue and tangerine threads make for the ultimate colourful kitchen accomplice.Hommey silk eye mask
$49
There’s nothing quite like a deep slumber – and an eye mask is the unofficial do-not-disturb accomplice to help get you there. Hommey’s collection of silk eye masks come in nine different colours and are lightly padded for comfortable blackout coverage.Koko Black Pavlova Bites
$23
We recently had a tub of these delicious treats in the Broadsheet office, and it’s safe to say they didn’t last long. With a crispy meringue centre coated in a tangy passionfruit-infused white chocolate, the result is a mix of classic Australian flavours. Other taste variants include gingerbread and magic pudding.Paire Quarter socks
$24
If in doubt, follow gifting cues from grandma. Paire’s socks are made with a blend of Australian merino wool and organic cotton for comfort, with added moisture-wicking and odour-absorbing abilities. In fact, the two Aussie founders claim they’ve made the comfiest socks in the world (several Broadsheet editors swear by them). The Quarter socks make cosy stocking stuffers for $24 a pair.The Broadsheet Melbourne Cookbook: The New Classics
$55
Cookbook flicking is the ultimate slow-weekend activity. And while Broadsheet’s latest release is just over $50, it has more than 80 recipes across breakfast, sandwiches, snacks and sides, mains and desserts from Melbourne’s most beloved spots, and is not to be skipped. Your gift recipient can re-create iconic dishes in their own kitchen, like Napier Quarter’s focaccia, Lee Ho Fook’s lamb pancakes, Julie’s octopus ragu, and many more.We hope you like the products we recommend on Broadsheet. Our editors select each one independently. Broadsheet may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
