Gift Guides
Personalized Secret Santa Gifts Under $35: Ideas for Coworkers
Quick answer: Personalized Secret Santa gifts under $35 include a Santa hat with their name ($24.90, or $19.90 plain), a hand-painted initial glass mug ($29.99) and a glitter compact mirror with their name ($29.90). For a coworker who talks about their dog or cat, a pet portrait mug ($29.99), a pet face pillow ($27.90 or $33.90) or a sterling silver pet photo necklace ($33.90) is made from a photo of their pet. Order the necklace by November 27 and the rest by December 1 for standard US delivery before Christmas, and earlier if your office party is in mid-December. Standard US shipping is $7.99 on orders under $70.
Still need to draw names? Our free Secret Santa generator draws names online with no sign-up, can keep couples from drawing each other, and gives each person a private link to see who they got.
Personalized Secret Santa gift ideas under $35
Each price below is for the option described, including the name, initial or photo. If you only know their name, start with the first three ideas; if you can get a photo of their pet, look at the pet gifts.
Santa hat with their name ($24.90)
The personalized Santa hat is a plush hat with any name embroidered on the cuff, in the classic red style or a Santa beard style, in kids or adult size, with 3 fonts. It costs $24.90 with a name, or $19.90 without one. Names up to 8 characters look best, and names over 10 characters go on two lines.
Hand-painted initial glass mug ($29.99)
The initial glass mug has their initial hand-painted on a 17 oz borosilicate glass mug, with an optional name or date. It handles hot coffee and iced drinks and is dishwasher and microwave safe. All you need to know is their first initial.
Glitter compact mirror with their name ($29.90)
The glitter compact mirror has a name in rhinestones on the cover, in 5 glitter colors and a heart, round or rectangular shape. Inside are two glass mirrors, one with 2x magnification, and it is about 2.75 inches across.
Pet portrait mug ($29.99)
The pet portrait mug carries a hand-drawn portrait of their dog or cat, made from a photo. Front only, the same design on both sides, or a different design on each side all cost $29.99. You approve a digital preview before it is made. It is not dishwasher safe, so rinse it by hand.
Pet face pillow ($27.90 or $33.90)
The pet face pillow is printed from a photo and cut to the shape of the pet's face. The 12-inch size costs $27.90 and the 16-inch size $33.90 (the 20-inch size, $47.50, is over budget). It also works with a person's face, if your office has that sense of humor.
Small photo moon lamp ($33.90)
The 4-inch custom photo 3D moon lamp costs $33.90 and is printed with a photo, with an optional name or short message. The pet photo moon lamp is the same price in the 4-inch size. The larger sizes ($42.40 and $50.90) are over $35.
Sterling silver pet photo necklace ($33.90)
The pet photo necklace has the pet's face carved into a 925 sterling silver pendant, with a name or short phrase engraved on the back. It needs a sharp close-up photo, and it takes 5–7 business days to make, so it has an earlier order date.
Not sure what they like? A $35 gift card
The Gifts Journey gift card comes in a $35 amount and is delivered by email, so nothing ships and there is no shipping charge on it. Your recipient chooses their gift and uploads their own photo. A $35 card covers a Santa hat with a name, either mug or the 4-inch moon lamp; shipping ($7.99 on orders under $70) is added at their checkout.
Secret Santa gifts under $35 compared
| Gift | Price | What you need | Order by for Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa hat | $24.90 with a name ($19.90 plain) | Their name | December 1 |
| Initial glass mug | $29.99 | Their initial | December 1 |
| Glitter compact mirror | $29.90 | Their name | December 1 |
| Pet portrait mug | $29.99 | A photo of their pet | December 1 |
| Pet face pillow | $27.90 (12 in) or $33.90 (16 in) | A photo of their pet | December 1 |
| Photo moon lamp, 4 inch | $33.90 | A photo | December 1 |
| Pet photo necklace | $33.90 | A close-up photo of their pet | November 27 |
| Gift card | $35.00 | Their email address | Any time (sent by email) |
Shipping and buying for the whole office
Most gift exchanges set the limit for the gift itself. If you order one gift on its own, standard US shipping adds $7.99, because orders under $70 pay $7.99 and orders of $70 or more ship free. A $29.99 mug therefore costs $37.98 with shipping, before tax. If your group's limit includes shipping, the Santa hat with a name ($24.90 + $7.99 = $32.89) or the gift card still fits.
If one person is buying for the whole team, ordering together saves money. Code 20OFFBUY2 takes 20% off 2 or more items, and 30OFFBUY3 takes 30% off 3 or more, on any mix of the gifts in this guide (not on gift cards). With 30OFFBUY3, a $24.90 Santa hat works out to $17.43 and a $29.99 mug to about $21. Six Santa hats with names come to $149.40, or $104.58 with 30OFFBUY3 before tax, and the order ships free because it is still over $70. For a bigger team gift, our custom team bobbleheads guide explains how group orders work.
How to order and which photo to send
- Names and initials: name items are made exactly as typed. Check the spelling against their email signature or the company directory, and decide whether they go by a nickname.
- Pet photos: choose a sharp, front-facing, well-lit photo with the whole head in frame. A photo they have shared at work or online, or one from a coworker who knows them, usually works. The necklace needs a close-up of the face.
- Uploading: use the Upload your photo button on the product page. You can reply to your order confirmation email with more photos.
- Previews: items made from a photo come with a digital preview to approve before production starts, so reply quickly.
When to order
- By Friday, November 27: the pet photo necklace, made in 5–7 business days.
- By Tuesday, December 1: the pet face pillow and moon lamp (3–5 business days to make), and the Santa hat, mugs and mirror (2–4 business days).
These dates are for delivery before Christmas with standard tracked US shipping, which usually takes 6–9 business days after dispatch. If your gift exchange is earlier in December, count back from the party: the production time, plus 6–9 business days for delivery, plus a day or two to approve a preview for photo gifts. For a party on Friday, December 11, that means ordering a Santa hat or glass mug by about Friday, November 20. Express shipping ($15) is faster, but it does not shorten production time. Running late? Email support@giftsjourneyshop.com before you order and we will tell you honestly whether it can arrive in time, or send the gift card. Our last-minute personalized Christmas gifts guide and delivery information page have the details.
Shopping for family too? See our ideas for Mom, for Dad, for grandparents and for dog and cat lovers. Buying for your child's teacher? See our personalized Christmas gifts for teachers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good personalized Secret Santa gift under $35?
A Santa hat with their name ($24.90), an initial glass mug ($29.99), a glitter compact mirror with their name ($29.90), or, if they have a pet, a pet portrait mug ($29.99) or a 12-inch pet face pillow ($27.90).
What if I do not know my Secret Santa recipient well?
The initial glass mug only needs their first initial, and the Santa hat only needs their name. If you are unsure, the $35 gift card lets them choose for themselves.
Does the $35 include shipping?
The prices in this guide are for the gift. Standard US shipping is $7.99 on orders under $70 and free on orders of $70 or more, and the gift card is delivered by email with no shipping charge.
Can I order gifts for my whole team at once?
Yes. Code 20OFFBUY2 takes 20% off 2 or more items and 30OFFBUY3 takes 30% off 3 or more, and orders of $70 or more ship free.
What is the last day to order Secret Santa gifts?
November 27 for the pet photo necklace and December 1 for the other gifts in this guide, for delivery before Christmas.