10 Budget-Friendly Secret Santa Gifts for Men That Won’t Disappoint

When you’re part of a Secret Santa swap, whether with mates, colleagues or family, it can be a fine line between getting a laugh and staying under budget. But good news: you don’t need to spend a fortune to get it right. With the right amount of thought and a splash of humour, you can easily find Secret Santa gifts for men under £20 that make an impact.

In this guide, we’ll give you tips for choosing great gifts, answer some key FAQs, and showcase ten brilliant picks from Blokey that won’t drain your wallet.

What Makes a Great Secret Santa Gift?

Choosing a Secret Santa gift for men is all about hitting that sweet spot between thoughtful and fun—without blowing the budget. Whether you’re buying Secret Santa gifts for men that are a colleague, mate, or that one cousin you barely know, the aim is to bring a smile without stressing over perfection. A great Secret Santa gift shows you’ve paid attention (even just a little), delivers a laugh or a “that’s so me” reaction, and works within the agreed price limit. Here’s how to get it just right…

Know Your Audience (Even Just a Little)

You don’t need a full personality breakdown, but a hint helps. Think: “He loves coffee,” “He never stops talking about the gym,” or “He’s the office joker.” That tiny bit of insight can turn a random buy into something personal.

Funny and Useful Wins Every Time

Secret Santa gifts for men that make them laugh and still gets used? That’s a winner. Think mugs, socks, novelty desk gadgets. Funny but functional always beats gimmicky rubbish.

Stay on Budget

Set your budget (£20, give or take), and stick to it. It levels the playing field and adds to the challenge. Fortunately, Blokey’s Secret Santa gifts under £20 range is packed with options that look more expensive than they are.

Work Appropriate? Double-Check!

If you’re doing Secret Santa for coworkers, keep it clean. Steer clear of anything too cheeky unless you’re 100% sure it’ll land well. A cheeky mug? Yes. R-rated novelty item? Maybe save that for your best mate.

Add a Bit of Flair

Wrap it well, include a tag, and you’re golden. Secret Santa is all about the reveal, after all.

Secret Santa Gifts For Men by Personality Type

Not all blokes are built the same—and that’s exactly what makes Secret Santa gifts for men so much fun. Tailoring your gift to someone’s personality (even in a small way) shows you’ve put in the effort without going overboard. Whether they’re the office joker, the low-key plant dad, or the gym-obsessed lad who’s never seen without a protein bar, we’ve rounded up spot-on ideas to match their vibe. Here’s how to get personal with your pick, without needing to know their life story.

Want your gift to feel extra thoughtful? Match it to the recipient’s personality:

For the Office Joker

“World’s Okayest Employee” Mug
Prank pill box full of sweets

For the Quiet One

Plant-a-holic Mug
Calm-themed stress survival kit

For the Gym Lad

Protein snack bundle + novelty water bottle
Mug: “Sore today, strong tomorrow”

For the Dad Joke Master

“Dad Jokes Loading” Mug
Novelty socks with punny slogans

For the Guy Who Has Everything

Box of Nothing
Gift socks with hidden message on the sole

These gifts show you’ve put in more thought than grabbing something generic from the discount aisle.

Budget Bundle: Building a Winning Gift Under £20

Sometimes the best gift is a mini bundle. Here’s how to assemble Secret Santa gifts for men that hits the mark:

Funny Mug: £9-11
Snack or Sweet Treat: £2-4
Cheeky Desk Toy or Keyring: £2-3
Gift Wrap & Tag: £1-2

All together: £14-20 total. It feels like more than one gift and adds a “just for you” vibe that goes down a treat.

Top 10 Secret Santa Gifts for Men (All Under £20)

Finding a cracking Secret Santa gifts for men for under £20 doesn’t have to mean grabbing something dull or predictable. Whether you’re shopping for a mate, a work colleague, or a wildcard relative, there are loads of affordable options that are clever, cheeky, and guaranteed to raise a smile. From funny mugs to novelty essentials, these gift ideas are wallet-friendly winners that feel anything but cheap. Here’s our top 10 picks from Blokey that deliver maximum laughs for minimal spend.

1. “Snowasis” Christmas T-shirt

Perfect Secret Santa gifts for men who love Oasis, the Snowasis Christmas T-shirt with Liam & Noel Gallagher as snowmen.

2. DIY Brick Mug

Great for the guy who loves a tinker. Build your own handle? Why not.

3. Mr Men Football Mugs

Find his favourite football team and buy him Mr Men Football Mug with the nostalgic look of a childhood classic.

4. Stress Survival Kit

Filled with cheeky little items to keep someone sane through the festive madness.

5. Novelty Gift Socks

Nobody gets mad at socks — especially when they come with a surprise message.

6. Box of Nothing

The perfect gift for that mate who “doesn’t want anything.” A Literal Box of Nothing. Hilarious.

7. Prank Pill Box with Sweets

Looks serious. Actually sweets. Maximum confusion, minimum cost.

8. Adult Fan of Lego Mug

For the grown man who never really grew out of Lego (no judgement here).

9. Office-Themed Mug Collection

For the bloke who lives at his desk. Pair with a strong brew for full effect.

10. Gardener’s T-shirts

For the houseplant hoarder or the wannabe green thumb, choose from our selection of Gardening t-shirts.

🎁 Secret Santa FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

What are Secret Santa gifts?

They’re anonymous presents given during a festive swap. One person draws another’s name and buys a gift for them – ideally something thoughtful, funny or clever. When the gift is opened, the recipient tries to guess who their Secret Santa is. It’s part mystery, part festive fun. Whether it’s Secret Santa for men, women or mixed groups, it’s the perfect low-stress, high-laugh tradition.

Can Secret Santa work with odd numbers?

Yes! As long as everyone gives and receives one gift, odd numbers aren’t a problem. It’s all about making sure the draw is managed properly – online tools can help avoid slip-ups, especially in Secret Santa for coworkers.

How does Secret Santa work?

Everyone writes their name on paper or uses an app.
Names are drawn at random.
Participants suggest gift ideas or wishlists.
Gifts are exchanged anonymously.
Everyone tries to guess who their Secret Santa was!

This creates room for twists and variations – including Secret Santa with a twist, where you might set rules like “only handmade gifts” or “all gifts must start with the letter B.”

Is there a Secret Santa app?

Absolutely. Some of the most popular include:

Elfster: great for managing lists and draws
DrawNames: good for keeping things fair
SneakySanta: simple and fuss-free These are perfect for running Secret Santa for coworkers, remote friends, or big family groups.

5 Secret Santa Sins to Avoid

Secret Santa gifts for men might be all fun and games, but there are still a few unspoken rules that keep the festive spirit alive. From overspending and awkward gift choices to forgetting the tag altogether, these little slip-ups can turn a jolly exchange into an uncomfortable cringe-fest. To help you stay off the naughty list, we’ve rounded up the most common Secret Santa sins—so you can dodge the pitfalls and nail your gift like a festive pro.

1. Ignoring the Budget

Don’t overspend and make others look stingy. Stick to the agreed limit.

2. Buying Something Inappropriate

Save the adult jokes for your best mate. Not the office party.

3. Going Too Generic

Avoid anything that screams “last-minute petrol station panic buy.”

4. Forgetting the Gift Tag

It’s anonymous, not disorganised. At least put the recipient’s name on it!

5. Skipping the Fun Bit

Guessing the Secret Santa is half the fun. Don’t ruin the mystery by giving it away.

Secret Santa Checklist

Here’s a simple Secret Santa checklist you can screenshot or print:

📄 Download This Secret Santa Checklist as a PDF

Want to keep it handy or share it with the group? Click above to download the Secret Santa Checklist (PDF) and get your festive planning sorted!

The Story Behind Secret Santa

So what is Secret Santa, really? It’s a classic Christmas tradition where people give anonymous gifts within a group. Each person draws a name, gets a Wishlist, and buys a gift. After opening the gift, the giftee tries to guess who gave it to them. Simple? Yes. But the fun is in the mystery.

Interestingly, Secret Santa’s roots may trace back to the Scandinavian tradition of Juklapp – “knocking Christmas” – where gifts were thrown through open doors anonymously. Others say it stems from old German legends involving St. Nick’s helpers. Either way, it’s evolved over time to what we know today.

Modern takes on the tradition now include online Secret Santa games, which let you run exchanges with remote coworkers or global friends. It might be digital, but the spirit is the same: surprise, fun, and a bit of elvish magic.

Useful Tools and Links

DrawNames Secret Santa Generator

If you’re running a gift exchange and want to avoid the headache of name-pulling logistics, DrawNames.co.uk is your new best mate. It allows you to create a group, draw names anonymously, set rules and exclusions, and even share wishlists. Ideal for both in-person and remote exchanges – especially handy for Secret Santa with a twist or Secret Santa for coworkers.

Final Thoughts

Secret Santa gifts for men under £20 don’t have to be dull—or feel like an afterthought. With a bit of imagination (and a touch of cheek), you can find something that fits the brief, gets a laugh, and actually gets used. Whether you’re buying for a mate who loves a pint, a colleague with a desk full of novelty items, or that cousin you only see at Christmas who somehow still loves Lego, there’s something out there that will hit the mark.

The trick is to keep it light, a little personal, and within budget. Thanks to a range of genuinely funny and thoughtful options from places like Blokey, you don’t have to compromise on quality or originality. So, lean into the fun of the tradition, embrace the mystery, and let your gift be the one they talk about well into the new year.

And if all else fails? You can’t go wrong with a mug that makes them snort-laugh into their brew.

Explore the full Secret Santa Gifts Under £20 range at Blokey, where the perfect combo of budget and banter awaits.