If you drew a coworker you've never spoken to, spend ten minutes looking for clues first: their wishlist and interests on your private link, their desk, what they drink, what they bring for lunch. If you find nothing, give something good to eat or something useful for their desk, with a one-line card. Skip anything that touches their body, beliefs or sense of humour, because you don't know where they draw the line.
Ten minutes of research without giving yourself away
- Open your private link again. It shows who you buy for, their wishlist and interests, and gift ideas within the group's budget. A single interest, such as coffee and tea or board games, already narrows it down.
- Look at their desk or video-call background. A plant, a stack of paperbacks, a football club mug, a child's drawing, a bottle of hot sauce. One object is enough to pick a direction.
- Watch the office kitchen. Black coffee or oat milk, tea bags brought from home, a packed lunch every day. Oat milk can mean they're vegan or avoid dairy, so check any sweets for milk and butter.
- Read their work profile. Teams, Slack or the intranet often list a city, a hobby or the languages they speak. A profile photo taken on a mountain top tells you more than a job title.
- Ask a deskmate about several people at once. "Do Anna, Tom and Priya drink coffee or tea? I'm sorting out the next coffee order" hides your real question.
What to give, depending on what you found
They drink coffee or tea
A 250 g bag of beans from a local roaster (ask for a medium roast, which most people like) or a tin of loose-leaf tea with a mesh infuser. If you know they use a capsule machine, skip the beans.
Their desk gives something away
Tidy desk: a good gel pen and a slim plain-paper notebook. Messy desk: a cable tidy or a document tray. Plant on the windowsill: a small mister or a pot one size up. Cold office or a scarf on the chair: a hot-water bottle with a knitted cover.
You found nothing at all
Food is the safest gift for a stranger: a box of bakery biscuits, a bar of good dark chocolate, a jar of honey from a local producer. Read the label and pick nut-free and alcohol-free, which rules out pralines and liqueur chocolates. A desk item works too, as long as it's useful rather than decorative.
More options in our gifts for coworkers and gifts under 10.
What to avoid when you don't know them
| Gift | Why it's risky with a stranger |
|---|---|
| Perfume, body lotion, shower gel | Scent is personal, and toiletries can read as a hint |
| Wine or spirits | They may not drink, for health, religious or other reasons |
| Clothing, socks with slogans | You're guessing both the size and the humour |
| Jokes about age, weight or being single | Fine among friends, awkward from someone they barely know |
| Anything with a religious or political symbol | You don't know their views |
| A gift card for a random shop | Looks like you didn't try, unless you know they shop there |
The card: one line is enough
Write one specific line, and leave your name off if your group keeps givers secret:
- "Spotted the plant on your desk. This is for it."
- "Medium roast, the safe bet. For Monday mornings."
- "We haven't properly met yet. Happy holidays, see you at the party."
If you're the organizer
Ask everyone to fill in their wishlist and at least two interests: in a group of 20 where half the lists are empty, a lot of people end up with chocolate. Put the budget in the invitation (10 euros, say) so nobody agonizes over a gift for someone they barely know. The other rules are in our Secret Santa rules, and you can run the draw with the free Secret Santa generator.