Do I have to give gifts to all colleagues?

No. In a large team it is better to exchange within a smaller group or to play Secret Santa: one gift per person instead of a collection for everyone.

How can I make an inexpensive gift look better?

Nice wrapping, a warm note and a few small things combined into one set raise the impression a lot. A gift under UAH 300 is perfectly normal for colleagues and friends.

Gifts

What to give a colleague in Secret Santa: ideas for a man, a woman and someone you hardly know

A colleague you only know from shared meetings, and a budget of a few hundred hryvnias. How to choose a gift that will not offend and will not look formal.

October 12, 2026 · 2 min read

In this article

First find out what you can learn
Neutral gifts that suit almost everyone
For a male colleague
For a female colleague
What it is better not to give a colleague
How to stay within the budget

First find out what you can learn

Even about a barely familiar colleague you usually know more than it seems. Before buying, check three things:

A wishlist. If your colleague has made one in Bazhanka, you will see it right after the draw.
What the person drinks at work: coffee, tea, water. It is the easiest hint for a gift.
What they are into: photos on the desk, merch, sport, games, travel. People usually talk about it over lunch.

Neutral gifts that suit almost everyone

A thermal mug or a water bottle.
Good tea or coffee in nice packaging.
A set of treats: chocolate, nuts, cookies.
A notebook or a planner with a good pen.
A useful small thing for the workplace: a stand, an organizer, a lamp.
A gift card for a favourite coffee shop or bookshop.
A cosy item: a candle or a soft blanket.

For a male colleague

Gender does not define taste, so go by interests first. If you know nothing, these are handy options:

A coffee or tea set for the office.
A power bank or entry-level wireless headphones.
A thermal mug for the road.
A board game or a puzzle.
A gift for a hobby: sport, fishing, games, cycling.

For a female colleague

A tea set and a nice cup.
A scented candle with a light neutral fragrance.
A tote bag or a cosmetic bag.
A cosy blanket or soft socks.
A hand cream without a strong smell.
A notebook, a planner or an illustrated diary.

What it is better not to give a colleague

Perfume, underwear and personal cosmetics: taste is too individual.
Alcohol, if you do not know whether the person drinks.
Jokes about age, appearance, weight or marital status.
Expensive things that will make the person feel obliged.

How to stay within the budget

The Secret Santa budget is set by the organizer and is the same for everyone. If the amount is small, add a note and nice wrapping: it boosts the impression at no cost. More ideas by amount: What to give your Secret Santa and Inexpensive gifts under UAH 300.

Frequently asked questions

What gift amount is normal?

For Secret Santa it is usually UAH 200-1000, for a colleague UAH 200-500. What matters is that the amount is comfortable for everyone and puts nobody in an awkward position.

What should I give a person who has everything?

Choose something that can be used up rather than kept: good tea or coffee, treats, tickets or an experience voucher, a book or a course that matches their interests. If the person has a wishlist, look at what has not been bought yet.

What if I know nothing about the person?

Look at their wishlist, ask mutual friends, or pick something universal: tea, a candle, treats or a useful small thing for the home.

What can I give if I have no money?

Rely on attention, not on price: something handmade, a framed photo, a card with warm words or help the person really needs. In Secret Santa the budget is a maximum, so a symbolic gift is perfectly fine.

What can I give a colleague for under UAH 500?

Neutral options: a travel mug, good tea or coffee, a set of treats, a notebook, a gift card for a bookshop or a café. Avoid anything too personal: perfume, clothes, cosmetics.

Can I spend more than the budget?

Better not to. If your gift is much more expensive, the person who gives to you may feel uncomfortable. A warm note or a card costs nothing and is always welcome.

All questions and answers