Secret Santa gifts for someone you barely know

Find out a little, quietly

• Read their wishlist or challenge first, if there is one.
• Look at their desk, their bag, their mug: people show what they like.
• Ask someone who knows them, and ask about two other people as well, so the question does not point at your person.
• Remember what they order at lunch and what they talk about on Monday.
• Do not ask the person. Even a careful question gives you away.

Gifts almost everyone can use

• Good chocolate, or a small box from a local chocolatier.
• A notebook with good paper and a pen that writes well.
• A plant that is hard to kill, in a pot that needs no saucer.
• A candle with a mild scent.
• Tea or coffee in a nice tin.
• A card game for two to six players.
• Warm socks, one size fits most.

Make a safe gift personal

A safe gift becomes a good one with a small detail that shows you paid attention. If they always carry a water bottle, choose tea rather than coffee. If they cycle to work, add a small bike light to the chocolate. If you know only where they come from, look for something from that town.

A card with two honest lines does the same job. "Welcome to the team. I hope the plant survives longer than mine did." is enough.

What to avoid

• Alcohol, unless you have seen them drink it.
• Perfume, cosmetics and anything about the body.
• Clothes in a size.
• Jokes about age, looks, habits or beliefs.
• Anything that needs upkeep, such as a pet fish or a difficult plant.
• A gift far above the budget. It does not make up for not knowing the person.

When the group can help

If many people in the group are in the same position, change the game rather than the gift. An optional wishlist gives every Santa three or four ideas. A colour exchange gives a clear starting point when you know nothing about the person. Both are formats in Secret Santa Twist, and the organiser picks one when creating the event.