Top 30+ Fun Secret Santa Themes for Family, Friends and Work

Looking to spice up your gift exchange this year? Whether you’re planning a cozy family gathering, a festive get-together with friends, or a holiday party at the office, these 30+ Secret Santa themes will help make your gift swap more personal, engaging, and unforgettable — let’s begin!

Fun Secret Santa Theme Ideas for Family

Whether you’re gathering with a big extended family or hosting a small, cozy holiday with just a few loved ones, these Secret Santa ideas are designed to make your celebration more personal, fun, and memorable. Each theme works beautifully for parents, siblings, grandparents, teens, and even kids — with a few suggestions tailored to suit different family vibes.

• Handmade Only

Perfect for: Creative families, DIY lovers, crafty groups

For handmade only Secret Santa themes, everyone must make their gift by hand—whether it’s baked goods, knitted scarves, or handmade candles. It works especially well for smaller families or close-knit groups who enjoy personal, meaningful gestures. Bonus: it’s budget-friendly and full of heart!

Handmade Only Secret Santa Theme Ideas for Family

• Gift of Memories

Perfect for: Sentimental families, multigenerational gatherings

Bring the past year to life with memory-themed gifts like photo albums, scrapbooks, or even custom ornaments with family photos. This Secret Santa theme is ideal if your family loves storytelling, and it creates personal gifts that become keepsakes. Great for all sizes of families, especially those who live far apart.

• One Colour Only

Perfect for: Fun-loving families with teens and adults

Pick one colour—red, gold, blue, even rainbow—and every gift must match! From the packaging to the item itself, it's a creative twist that sparks laughter and friendly competition. Works for any family size and keeps things light-hearted and visual.

One Colour Only Secret Santa Themes for Family

• Local Love

Perfect for: Families who support small businesses or live in unique regions

Set the rule: the gift must come from a local shop, market, or artisan. This Secret Santa theme is perfect for families who want to shop small, explore hometown pride, or live in different cities and want to share their local flavor. A great way to add culture and meaning to the exchange.

• Family-Favorite

Perfect for: Close-knit families who share inside jokes or traditions

Everyone brings something their household can’t live without—be it a special seasoning, a board game, or a quirky item. This Secret Santa theme encourages sharing and discovery, and it works well for medium to large families who want to learn each other’s favorites.

• Foodie Fest

Perfect for: Families who love to eat, cook, or snack

Bring cooking gadgets, gourmet sauces, popcorn kits, or baking accessories. This Secret Santa theme works well with any group size and is especially fun for families who enjoy bonding over food. Also great for teens and grandparents who love kitchen gadgets.

Foodie Fest Secret Santa Themes for Family

• Pet-Inspired Presents

Best for: Families with beloved pets or animal lovers

All gifts must be pet-themed—cat mugs, dog doormat, “paw-some” socks, or treats for furry friends. It includes pets in the family spirit and brings out the animal-loving side in everyone. Kids especially love this one.

>>> Check these collections if you’re looking for some unique pet-themed items:

Personalized Gifts for Cat Lovers

Personalized Gifts for Dog Lovers

• The “As Seen on TV” Theme

Best for: All-ages families, especially those who love infomercial fun

From quirky kitchen gadgets to hilarious “why does this exist?” items, this Secret Santa theme brings nostalgia and laughs. Great for sparking conversations and discovering the most ridiculous (or surprisingly useful) gifts out there.

Fun Secret Santa Themes for Friend

From inside jokes to over-the-top gift gags, friends make Secret Santa exchanges one of the most creative and unpredictable parts of the holiday season. These Secret Santa theme ideas are perfect for groups of friends of all kinds — from close-knit besties to large party circles.

• Boozy & Fun

Perfect for: 21+ groups, party lovers, cocktail crews

Set the bar (literally) by gifting mini liquor bottles, cocktail-making kits, wine stoppers, or funny drinking games. Whether you're sipping mulled wine or mixing margaritas, this Secret Santa theme is a hit at adult holiday parties.

Boozy & Fun Santa Themes for Friend

• Inside Jokes Only

Perfect for: Long-time friends, college roommates, tight-knit crews

All gifts must reference an inside joke or shared memory — think “that trip to Vegas” or “our group chat chaos.” This Secret Santa theme idea is deeply personal and often hilarious, but best suited to groups who know each other well.

• Gift That Starts With a Letter

Perfect for: Any friend group — adds mystery & variety

Each person draws a random letter and must find a gift that starts with that letter (e.g., “B” could be a book, bath bomb, or bacon socks). This adds a fun twist to shopping and can be surprisingly challenging! It works for all age ranges and adds a layer of mystery to unwrapping.

>>> If you’re struggling to find a suitable gift, check out this guide by Personal Chic: A To Z Gift Ideas

• Glow Up Gifts

Perfect for: Girls’ night groups, self-care squads, glam besties

Think face masks, lip balms, candles, or mini spa sets. Whether you’re gifting for a beauty lover or a stressed-out friend, this Secret Santa theme is all about pampering and self-love. A favorite for all-female friend groups or wellness-oriented pals.

Glow Up Gifts as Secret Santa Theme Ideas for Friend

• The 90s Are Back

Perfect for: Millennials, nostalgic souls, Gen Z with retro taste

Bring back your childhood with Tamagotchis, slap bracelets, scrunchies, or even retro snacks. This Secret Santa theme is fun, playful, and works especially well for groups in their 20s or 30s.

• DIY Disaster

Perfect for: Friends who love chaos, laughter, and irony

Each person must bring the worst handmade gift they can come up with — from a poorly drawn portrait to a lopsided mug. It’s all about laughs, not usefulness. Among many funny Secret Santa themes for adults, this one is ideal for groups that don’t take themselves too seriously.

• Book & Snack Pairing

Perfect for: Book clubs, cozy friend groups, introverts

Each gift must include a book (any genre) and a snack that complements it — tea, chocolate, popcorn, or wine. This thoughtful Secret Santa theme is great for quieter groups of book lovers or anyone who appreciates a good night in.

Book Club Secret Santa Themes for Friend

• "As Seen on TikTok"

Perfect for: Trendy friend groups, teens, or young adults

All gifts must be something that’s gone viral — whether it’s a Stanley dupe, a viral gadget, or a quirky kitchen tool. A fun way to bring social media trends to life in your Secret Santa gift exchange.

• One-Dollar Store Challenge

Perfect for: Budget-conscious friends, college students, gag gift fans

You can only shop at a dollar store (or set a strict $5 limit). The result? Surprisingly creative and hilarious gifts that prove you don’t need a big budget to have big fun.

• White Elephant Chaos

Perfect for: Loud, competitive friend groups, or holiday parties

Everyone brings the weirdest, most random item they can find — think singing fish plaques, ridiculous mugs, or old thrift finds. This is one of the funniest Secret Santa themes for adults, turning the gift exchange into a laugh-out-loud event.

White Elephant Secret Santa Theme Ideas for Friend

Fun and HR-Approved Secret Santa Themes for Work

Organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange at work is a team-building opportunity. The best themes strike a balance between personal and professional, allowing colleagues to connect while still respecting boundaries. Below, you'll find workplace-safe, creative Secret Santa themes, each tailored for different environments — from conservative offices to remote teams and start-up culture.

• Desk Buddies

Best for: Traditional office settings, admin teams, or in-person staff

This Secret Santa theme keeps the focus on practical, universally appreciated items. Think desk organizers, mini whiteboards, novelty pens, or desktop Zen gardens. It’s perfect for teams where not everyone knows each other well — the gifts are neutral, useful, and still fun.

>>> If you’re looking for some fun gift ideas, check out our collection of Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Coworkers!

Desk Buddies Secret Santa Themes for Work

• $10 Challenge

Best for: Large teams, mixed departments, cost-conscious companies

Setting a strict $10 cap forces everyone to get clever — and levels the playing field, so no one feels pressure to overspend. Expect quirky, resourceful gifts that spark conversation without breaking the bank. Ideal for cross-department exchanges where gift expectations vary.

• Office Survival Kit

Best for: High-pressure roles, close groups with a sense of humor

This is a humorous, practical Secret Santa theme that acknowledges the daily grind. Typical gifts include stress balls, snacks, tissues, blue-light glasses, or “panic” chocolate bars. It builds camaraderie through shared experiences and works great in industries where stress relief is part of the culture.

• The Ugly Tie or Scarf Exchange

Best for: Startups, relaxed offices, holiday parties with flair

It’s all about humor and low-stakes fun. Participants bring the ugliest (or boldest) tie, scarf, or wearable item they can find — then wear it for the rest of the party. Great for teams with a playful culture or costume-friendly environments. It lowers barriers and makes even quiet coworkers laugh.

The Ugly Tie or Scarf Exchange for Secret Santa at Work

• Lunchbox Upgrade

Best for: Offices with shared lunch spaces

Functional, food-related gifts are always welcome. Reusable lunch containers, insulated bags, or meal prep gadgets make this a practical hit — especially in settings where people bring meals from home. Unisex, useful, and HR-approved.

• All About Relaxation

Best for: End-of-year parties, wellness-driven workplaces

Prioritizing mental wellness is good business. Gifts in this Secret Santa theme include aromatherapy rollers, bath bombs, sleep masks, or adult coloring books. Best suited for companies that value employee wellbeing and want to wrap up the year with intention and care.

• Green & Sustainable Gifts

Best for: Eco-conscious workplaces, corporate sustainability initiatives

Why it works: This Secret Santa theme invites employees to gift something planet-friendly — like reusable straws, beeswax wraps, desktop plants, or eco notebooks. It’s a thoughtful, values-driven theme that reflects a company’s environmental goals while staying practical.

Green & Sustainable Secret Santa Themes for Work

• Company Swag Reimagined

Best for: Internal teams, HR departments, or onboarding groups

Why it works: Everyone brings a quirky twist on company-branded items — whether it’s customizing a company mug, repurposing merch, or parodying slogans. It’s great for building brand culture and works best in offices that don’t mind a bit of friendly fun with internal branding.

To sum up, Secret Santa doesn’t have to be predictable — with the right theme, it becomes a holiday highlight that brings people closer together. Whether you're swapping gifts with siblings, coworkers, or your best friends, the 30+ Secret Santa themes above offer something for every vibe and group dynamic. So pick your favorite, set the rules, and get ready to laugh, bond, and make some seriously joyful memories this season. Happy gifting!