Sleigh Your Gift Game

Want to be the legendary Secret Santa this year? Here’s how to give gifts so good, even Santa takes notes

Ah, Secret Santa — that beloved year-end ritual where you draw a colleague’s name from a box, spend days pretending you’re totally chill about it, then panic-shop at 10pm in the nearest mall before the office party.

Every December, offices, friend groups and family gatherings across the world gear up for this joyful chaos. But this year, you’re not going to be the one who brings another generic mug or “Funny Quote” notebook. No, no — this year, you’re going to be the Secret Santa Legend. The one whose gift gets passed around the table for everyone to admire. The one whose present actually sparks joy (and not confusion).



Step One: Stalk Like a Pro (The Nice Kind, Not Creepy)
First things first, you need intel. If you are naturally nosy, use it for good! Pay attention to your giftee. Are they always talking about food? (Let’s be honest, 90% of us are.) Do they love coffee, bubble tea, or live on teh tarik? Do they collect cute desk toys, or are they the type who’d rather have a new notebook than a new phone cover?

A little detective work goes a long way. Scroll through their Instagram, TikTok or Threads — not in a psycho ex way, but enough to pick up clues. You’ll spot hints about their favourite colours, hobbies, or if they have a thing for cats, durian, or gym selfies.

The goal? A gift that says, “I actually thought about you,” not “I panic-bought this at MR.DIY.”



Step Two: Respect the Budget, but Outsmart It
There’s always a limit — RM30, RM50, RM100 if your boss is feeling generous. The real challenge is stretching that ringgit to look more ‘atas’ than it is. The trick is to think clever, not costly.

Instead of buying something mass-produced, personalise it. Wrap up a jar of fancy instant coffee and label it “For Surviving Monday Meetings.” Or get a pair of comfy socks and tag them “For Those Freezing Office Air-Con Days.”

Even a small gift feels premium when it comes with thought and humour. Bonus tip: bundle two small things together — like snacks and a keychain, or a candle and a “Do Not Disturb” door hanger — and suddenly it looks like a curated hamper.

Step Three: Avoid the Gift Graveyard
We all know the graveyard of forgotten Secret Santa gifts — dusty mugs, scented soaps that smell like mothballs, or those office stress balls nobody’s touched since 2017. Don’t contribute to the pile.

Avoid anything too impersonal, too practical, or too weirdly specific (no one wants a mini yoga frog statue, Belinda). Instead, go for something fun and usable. Malaysians love food, so snacks are a safe bet — but make it interesting! Try artisanal cookies, locally made chocolates, or even a DIY bubble tea kit.

If your giftee is the office comedian, get something funny — like a T-shirt that says “Late But Worth It” or a mug that declares “Boss of My Own Coffee.” Humour never goes out of style.



Step Four: Wrap Like You Mean Business
You can tell how much effort someone put into a gift by the wrapping alone. The best gifts look sayang-ed. So even if you’re not Martha Stewart, don’t just shove it in a plastic bag.

Go eco and chic — wrap it in brown kraft paper, tie it with twine, and maybe add a candy cane or mini ornament. Or if you’re feeling artsy, use batik or festive tissue paper for a local twist. Presentation counts; it tells people this wasn’t a “last-minute 7-Eleven run.”

Step Five: Time the Reveal
Secret Santa isn’t just about the gift — it’s about the drama. The anticipation. The collective “Ooooh!” as your recipient tears open the wrapping. So, play it cool. Let the suspense build.

If you’ve nailed the gift, their reaction will say it all — the gasp, the grin, the gleam in their eye that says “Finally! Someone gets me!” That, my festive friend, is your crowning moment.



Bonus: Go the Extra Mile
If you really want to be the talk of the party, take it up a notch. Pair your gift with a funny card or a small inside joke from your office. Maybe a personalised Spotify playlist titled “Songs to Survive Deadlines” or a mini care pack for “Post-Christmas Recovery.”

Or better yet — play on local quirks. A “Nasi Lemak Emergency Kit” (with sambal packets and tissues), or a mini hand fan labelled “For LRT Situations.” Malaysians love that kind of humour — thoughtful, cheeky, and totally relatable.

At the end of the day, being a great Secret Santa isn’t about how expensive your gift is. It’s about making someone feel seen — and making everyone else laugh a little, too.

So go forth and spread some Christmas cheer. Whether your gift sparks laughter, gratitude, or just a good story for next year’s party, you’ve done your job.

Just don’t be that person who buys deodorant. Ever.