Christmas with kids has its own kind of magic. One moment you’re trying to get everyone into their coats, the next you’re knee deep in glittery lists, tangled fairy lights, and the yearly chat about who is buying what for whom. When the Secret Santa names come out and your child’s name lands in your hands, something shifts. You want the Christmas gift surprise to feel warm, personal, and full of that small spark that only kids can give back!
Here’s a set of ideas that feel thoughtful, fun, and genuinely exciting for your little ones. They all fit perfectly within our curated list of secret Santa gifts ideas and can easily double as memorable Christmas gifts.
1. A Pocket-Sized Craft Kit.
Kids don’t see craft supplies as objects. They see possibilities. A tiny bundle of colourful paper, washi tape, beads, stickers, or mini watercolours feels like an invitation.
A kit like this slips into a stocking with ease, and it works beautifully on those slow, quiet mornings when the weather is wet and no one wants to leave the house.
2. Personalised Gifts.
Kids light up when something has their name, face, or photo on it. Personalised gifts make brilliant Secret Santa choices because they feel thoughtful without being complicated. You can go for personalized mugs, sippers, caricatures, photo frames, keyrings and more. They tick the Christmas gifts box perfectly and give your child something they’ll treasure long after the tree comes down.
3. A Mystery Adventure Book.
There’s a special joy in opening a book when you have no idea what’s inside. Choose a story filled with puzzles, clues, or small twists, then wrap it with a note that hints at a hidden adventure waiting within. Books make beautiful gifts for Christmas, and giving one with an air of mystery adds even more charm.
4. Glow-In-The-Dark Surprises.
Glow-in-the-dark stickers, stars for the ceiling, glowing pens, or even shoelaces have a certain magic that never gets old. The real joy comes at bedtime, when the lights go off and the colours start to shine. It’s playful, affordable, and it instantly turns their room into something dreamy.
5. A Tiny Board Game or Mini Puzzle.
These mini puzzles make some great secret Santa gifts ideas because they’re small enough to feel like a surprise but fun enough to use again and again. Think pocket-sized memory games, tiny jigsaw puzzles, or travel versions of classics. They’re brilliant for family time, car rides, or rainy afternoons when everyone is restless.
6. Make Your Own Hot Chocolate Kit.
Most kids love any excuse to mix, stir, and taste. A tiny hot chocolate kit with marshmallows, cocoa mix, sprinkles, and a fun spoon makes them feel like they’re running their own little winter café. It’s cosy, easy to assemble, and ideal for a slow afternoon curled up on the sofa.
7. Santa Hats.
A Santa hat seems simple, but kids treat it like a costume that unlocks instant cheer. Go for one with a fluffy pom-pom, a sparkly trim, or even a character twist. They’ll wear it for school runs, photos, and every festive moment in between. It turns even the most ordinary day into something bright.
8. A Pocket Journal for Big Ideas.
A small notebook designed for scribbles, plans, doodles, jokes, and secret thoughts gives kids a tiny world that belongs only to them. Add a coloured pen or a pencil with a fun topper, and you’re not just giving a book, you’re giving a creative outlet. It’s a gentle nudge towards imagination without the pull of screens.
9. A Build-Your-Own Ornament Kit.
Kids love seeing their creations displayed, and an ornament they make themselves becomes a piece of Christmas that comes back every year. You can paint your own shapes, wooden figures, ceramic stars, or even foam craft sets. Each time you bring out the decorations in future years, that little piece tells a story.
10. A Surprise Experience Voucher.
This one lands beautifully because it feels personal. Create a simple homemade voucher for a future moment together. It could be an afternoon making pizza, a film night with their choice of snacks, a walk to the park followed by hot chips, or a mini treasure hunt in the house. Kids treasure time more than we realise. Tuck the voucher into a small envelope, and the mystery alone gets them excited.
A Small Note for Parents.
Christmas can easily turn into a checklist. Presents, wrapping, cleaning, cooking, events, more wrapping, more cleaning. But these moments, the ones where a child opens something picked just for them, that’s where the holiday softens. That’s where the warmth shows up!
These ideas fit neatly into the world of Secret Santa gifts, but they also make for heartfelt Christmas gifts that don’t need to be grand to feel meaningful!
