Someone has just asked the group chat whether anyone else has no idea what to buy for the Kris Kringle. (Yes. You, plus about four others who are keeping quiet.) If you want Kris Kringle gift ideas with a twist, something your person will still be talking about at the next team lunch, this is the list for you.
Kris Kringle is what plenty of Aussie and Kiwi workplaces call Secret Santa (and it's Kris Kindle in Ireland). Whatever your office calls it, the setup is the same: names drawn, a spending limit agreed, a present handed over with a bit of ceremony. The same game turns up among friends and family at Christmas too. A Secret Santa gift doesn't need to be big, because the fun is in the surprise.
Below you'll find Kris Kringle gift ideas sorted by the kind of person you've drawn: the thrill-seeker, the couple, the one who loves a laugh and the outdoorsy type. Every idea is an experience, which suits a Christmas gift exchange where the goal is a good story on Monday morning. If you'd like more inspiration, there are plenty of Christmas gift ideas to browse.
Kris Kringle Ideas With a Twist: Why a Voucher Works
Buying for someone you only know from the morning tea roster can feel like guesswork. Kris Kringle limits are usually modest, and a Gifting Owl voucher can be any amount you choose, so sticking to your budget is simple. Your recipient then picks from 19,000+ experiences in 100+ countries and books live on Gifting Owl. That makes it a practical Secret Santa gift when you don't know whether your colleague would rather leap out of a plane or lie down in a spa, and it's often the perfect gift for exactly that reason: they choose the bit that suits them.
You can add a personal message and choose a voucher design, and it arrives by email, sent straight away or scheduled for the day of the party. Vouchers are valid for 3 years, and exchanging for a different experience is free. (There's no wrapping, which some people will count as a downside. You can send the voucher to yourself and print it if you'd like something to hand over.)
Kris Kringle Gift Ideas for the Thrill-Seeker
A Day at the Theme Park
Picture the first big drop on a roller coaster, then the chips afterwards. A theme park day is a fun Kris Kringle gift that's easy to enjoy with friends or family in tow. The honest downside is queues on busy days, so suggest a weekday if they can swing it. It suits the colleague who's first to volunteer for anything with a harness.
Jet Boating, Rafting and Jet Skis
Jet boating means fast spins, spray in the face and a guide who clearly enjoys their job. White water rafting and jet skiing bring similar splashes. You will get wet, so tell them to wear clothes that dry quickly. It suits someone who'd rather be soaked than sit still.
Skydiving
That moment of freefall, wind roaring, before the parachute opens is hard to describe, which is the point. Skydiving is usually done with an instructor attached, so no experience is needed. Weather can shift a jump date, so check the cancellation policy on the experience page. It suits anyone with a bucket list they keep mentioning, and it's a Secret Santa gift people really will bring up for years.
Romantic Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Couples
If you've drawn your partner, or a colleague whose other half deserves a night out, a shared experience is a lovely duo gift. The best ones give two people something to do together, with no phones needed.
Winery Tour
Think a cellar door, a swirl, a sniff and a long lunch. A winery tour is a relaxed way to learn what they actually like. Check what's included in the tasting, and sort out who's driving before the day. It suits the pair who already have opinions about reds.
Hot Air Ballooning
The honest bit first: it's an early start. The reward is a quiet drift over the landscape, broken only by the occasional burst of the burner. Hot air ballooning suits couples who love a view. If they want something a little different, paragliding and helicopter tours sit in the same flying category.
Secret Santa experience gifts
Show more experiences
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Dinner Cruise
Dinner with the city lights sliding past is hard to beat. A dinner cruise works well for a couple marking something, or just overdue for a night out. Bring a light layer, since it can be breezy on deck.
Adventure gift ideas
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Singapore Gardens By the Bay Ticket
Sunset & Sparkle Sydney Boat Cruise
Park Guell and Sagrada Familia Tour in Barcelona
Light-Hearted Kris Kringle Gift Ideas That Get a Laugh
Every office has someone with a running joke, whether it's their parking or their sat-nav arguments (or the way they announce the tea round like a press conference). These Kris Kringle ideas are for them: good-humoured, and still properly nice to receive.
Hot Laps and Driving Experiences
Engine noise you can feel in your chest, and a hot lap in a V8 Supercar if you pick the right one. Driving experiences suit the colleague who narrates every car park manoeuvre. Wear closed shoes, and check the experience page for any licence requirements.
Spa Package
Warm towels, quiet music and a few hours of self care. A spa package is ideal for the colleague who always looks after everyone else and never books time for relaxation. Weekdays tend to be calmer. It's a thoughtful Kris Kringle gift for almost anyone on your list.
Adventurous Kris Kringle Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Type
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
Colourful fish drifting past, with the odd sunken ruin if you choose well. Snorkelling is the relaxed option, while scuba takes more time and usually an introductory lesson. Water clarity varies, so tell them it's worth checking the conditions. It suits anyone who's ever stared at a documentary reef.
Hiking and Trekking
Boots on, a long view at the top and a well-earned snack. Hiking and trekking experiences range from half-day walks to proper multi-day trips, so match the length to your recipient's fitness. It suits people who'd rather see a place on foot.
Kayaking, Paddle Boarding and Surfing
Kayaking is a calm way to see a waterway, stand-up paddle boarding works your core, and surfing is brilliant fun. (Expect most of a first lesson to be spent falling off. That's half the charm.) Pack sunscreen and a towel, and you're sorted.
Ziplining
If skydiving is a step too far, ziplining is the gentler thrill: a harness, a platform and a whoosh through the treetops. Some courses are fast and some are peaceful, so check the description. It suits the person who wants adrenaline with a safety line attached.
Your Kris Kringle Gift, Sorted
Pick the person, pick the type of experience, set the amount and schedule the email for the day of the party. If you're organising for a whole team, the corporate page has discounts from 10% off at 10 vouchers, plus vouchers carrying your company logo. Happy gifting!
