• Secret Santa gift exchanges are especially popular at the workplace and with large families.christmas gift image by Elena kouptsova-vasic from Fotolia.com
  
  Secret Santa is a holiday gift exchange activity whereby participants put their names into a drawing and then select another participant's name without disclosing whose name they have drawn. Participants buy gifts for the persons they have selected. Gifts are wrapped but gift tags include only the recipient's name. Recipients try to guess the identity of their gift sender---or Secret Santa. Gift values are agreed upon beforehand and kept low, often under $25.
  
  

Hobbies

• Fresh supplies make a thoughtful gift for the crafty Secret Santa recipient.craft a card! image by Shirley Hirst from Fotolia.com
  
  Does your recipient enjoy crafts? Does he have a green thumb? Is she a shutterbug? When thinking of Secret Santa ideas, consider what your recipient enjoys doing for fun. For example, if your recipient enjoys scrapbooking, consider several sheets of premium scrap booking stickers, and choose a holiday theme to add a festive touch. If he is a gardener, a garden bucket caddy will help keep all his tools within easy reach. If your recipient always has a camera around her neck, chances are she would enjoy a digital photo fridge frame. While still inexpensive, choosing a Secret Santa gift that is related to your recipient's hobbies shows you have taken an interest in what he or she enjoys.
  
  

Food and Beverage

• Herb gardens make a perfect gift for enthusiastic cooks and offer a variety of types.six kinds of aromatic herbs for cooking image by angelo.gi from Fotolia.com
  
  Edibles can be a perfect choice for a Secret Santa gift, especially for coworker situations where you may not know the person as well. While holiday cookies are an obvious favorite, this is also your chance to think outside the traditional holiday box. For your sometimes saucy colleague, give a set of gourmet barbecue sauces, sure to add some tang to his holiday fare. How about a set of flavorful tea collections to add some warmth to her holiday? If your recipient enjoys cooking, give him an indoor herbal garden kit and he'll have fresh herbs at his fingertips.
  
  

Personal Care

• Unusually shaped soaps add a new twist to a traditional Secret Santa gift.fruit soaps in bubbles image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
  
  Avoid perfumes and colognes when considering personal care gifts, as tastes can differ too widely. Likewise, avoid personal grooming items that carry the risk of offensive connotations. Instead, when you think of personal care, think "pampering" and choose a gift that lets your recipient escape the hectic pace of the holidays. Fun-shaped soaps have gone beyond seashells and rosebuds, and today can be found in the likenesses of everything from fortune cookies to pink piglets. Candles can add ambiance. Consider new twists on this favorite with flame-less models or brightly colored votive sets. Toiletry bags depicting themes, such as favorite sports or hobbies, can be an especially appreciated gift for your well-traveled coworker.
  
  

Gift Cards

• Even a gift card can let your throughfulness shine through if you choose a favorite specialty retailer.Gift Card image by chas53 from Fotolia.com
  
  Secret Santas who rely on gift cards may appear to be lacking in holiday spirit, so if you fall back on this old standby, make sure to let your thoughtfulness shine through. Personalize cards with photos or choose one from your recipient's favorite specialty store. Some cards even give back to charities.