Discover the books that are perfect to gift for secret Santa festivities this year. Each of these options is under $30 and guaranteed to please even the pickiest gift recipients.
It’s that time of year again!
Christmas plans suddenly don’t seem that far away, the office vibe is decidedly more chill and in just a few weeks, you’ll be sitting poolside, working on your tan and basking in the Christmas goodwill.
But before you reach that blissful state, there is one obstacle to endure first: the dreaded secret Santa.
Whether it’s with your friends, family, or workmates, this Christmas tradition is next-to-none in bringing out some of our deepest insecurities.
When you draw the name of a mere acquaintance, you might feel your heart begin to pound. As you question whether you even have any gift-giving ability at all, the worries start racing through your mind: What if you give the worst gift? Why haven’t you taken the time to get to know this person? And – worst of all – what if they hate what you choose for them?
Sound familiar? Never fear.
We know just how intimidating choosing a gift for secret Santa can be, so we’ve rounded up a few options to take the stress out of it.
No matter how well you know your gift recipient, there’s something on this list that’s sure to delight.
Books to gift for secret Santa
Always Room for Christmas Pud Aunty Donna, James Fosdike
The universal crowd-pleaser
This comedic picture book is the perfect secret Santa gift. By the Melbourne-based comedy group Aunty Donna, Always Room for Christmas Pud is a hilarious read based on their famous skit of the same name. With brilliant illustrations that capture the essence of the Aunty Donna group, this irreverent read is the surrealist escape we could all use during the holiday season.
Burn After Writing Sharon Jones
For the journal-obsessed
Is your gift recipient the type to carry around a notebook all day long? Do they often scribble down notes or perhaps dabble in doodling? Then you might have a journaler on your hands. If so, Burn After Writing should be your secret Santa pick. This bestselling book asks provocative questions and poses thought experiments on each page to help readers unplug and tap in to their feelings.
The Vegemite Cookbook Vegemite
For the home cook
If you’ve drawn the name of a home cook, look no further than The Vegemite Cookbook this secret Santa season. In addition to serving up a hint of Aussie pride, this cookbook features over 40 recipes in celebration of all things VEGEMITE. The creative recipes included are fun and flavourful. From tofu stir-fry to chocolate brownies, this cookbook sheds new light on the iconic savoury spread.
Ikigai Héctor García, Francesc Miralles
The life-changer
Want to give a gift that might change someone’s life? Consider Ikigai. Ikigai is the Japanese word for ‘a reason to live’ or ‘a reason to jump out of bed in the morning.’ This lovely book guides readers on a journey to discover their ikigai, or their unique purpose in this world. Not only is Ikigai a meaningful gift, but it’s also an aesthetically pleasing book that will be cherished for years to come. With its compact size and gorgeous cover, this small but mighty hardback is sure to impress.
The Jolly Christmas Postman Allan Ahlberg, Janet Ahlberg
For kids
If you’ve drawn the name of a kid for your secret Santa recipient, you should gift The Jolly Christmas Postman. Year after year, this book continues to delight as the Jolly postman delivers holiday greetings to different fairy-tale characters. With interactive full-size letters for kids to pull out from between the pages, this book is the gift that keeps on giving.
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