In this festive season of giving, even Santa Claus needs a little help with gift ideas. As the time for giving approaches, many of us wonder: How can I find a good gift when I’m busy with year-end work? The rush to find a thoughtful Christmas present amidst the seemingly never-ending list of tasks to do at work can make what should be a restful and peaceful holiday feel quite stressful.
We feel you. For all you time-pressed, hardworking professionals out there feeling knee-deep in work tasks and uncertain about what to gift your colleagues as the office Secret Santa gift exchange looms closer and closer, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re on the search for thoughtful gifts for all budgets to surprise your dear colleague, we’ve curated our Corporate Secret Santa Christmas Gift Guide especially for you. Happy reading! 
Forging Deeper Working Relationships with Your Colleagues
So while the ‘101 Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Colleagues’ articles online could definitely spark some inspiration, we’ve decided to take it one step further. Here are some practical tips on how to uncover their wishes, sprinkled with a variety of creative gift ideas.
#1 Float the idea of a corporate Christmas wish list.
If you know a few other colleagues who are feeling pressed for time but still dead set on getting a thoughtful gift, suggesting a corporate Christmas wish list is a savvy move. A corporate wish list may be an effective way to better understand what everyone may want for Christmas.
Online platforms such as MyWishList offers anonymous wish lists so that all you Secret Santas and receivers of of your colleague’s Christmas gifts can both key in something without giving yourselves away or feeling ‘paiseh’. 
But if you’d prefer to have a more organic way of discovering your colleagues’ preferences, here’s our next tip:
#2 Uncover your colleagues’ personal interest over lunch chats.
We’ve all been there before, feeling burnt out as we juggle with fast-approaching deadlines and expectations at work.
With deadlines looming and stress levels rising amidst our increasing costs of living, work often becomes a place for us task-focused Singaporeans to interact with our computers, grab a quick bite for lunch, and then rush on home before repeating the same schedule the next day.
For some of us who are more introverted, finding the energy to have an enjoyable conversation during lunch break when you’re feeling drained and needing some me-time can also be difficult.
It’s always okay to take some time off for yourself and join in for lunchtime conversations when you’re feeling more energetic. Those seemingly ‘unimportant’ lunch banters at work can actually go a long way in building stronger bonds between you and your colleagues. While work is important, sometimes we all just need a reminder that it’s the people around us that matter the most and can make our working environment all the more enjoyable.
And who knows? You might be surprised to find out that your company’s most diligent and serious data analyst is equally serious about Hello Kitty merchandise when they’re outside of work! 
With that, here are a few interests we’ve listed that you might want to spark a comfortable conversation with them about, accompanied by a generous assortment of Christmas gift ideas for every interest:
- Cooking: Post-Covid, everyone has either trained themselves to become a chef or a baker.
Ask your colleagues about their favourite culinary pursuits over a hearty meal at lunch. If they love baking, how about buying them an affordable pair of thick oven mittens or intricate baking moulds from the nearest bakery supplier stores?
- Sports: Champions League fans, this is for you! For all your colleagues who secretly (not-so-secretly
) love football, it’d be no trouble at all finding out the teams they support, and getting them some merchandise to wear as they spectate the next match.
For your colleagues who love a good, recreational game of badminton or table tennis with their friends, other sports equipment such as badminton rackets, or sweat-absorbent dri-fit tees could also be a gift they’d appreciate and use often.
- Games: Board games, card games or video games — there’s something for every game enthusiast.
From fun games like Coup or Catan that will get your brain buzzing, family games like Taco vs Burrito, card games for deeper chats like We’re Not Really Strangers or SmolTok, or Pokemon games on Nintendo Switch, there’s bound to be a game they’ve been wanting or would like to add to their extensive game collection.
- Travelling: Revenge travelling is something we can all relate to. For your colleague who is looking forward to experiencing their first snow overseas, a travel care pack or winter jacket is sure to be a useful addition to their closet.
- Social Causes: If your colleague is the company advocate for everything sustainable, or loves supporting local businesses, consider getting them their very own cutlery set, locally made jewellery, or shop for good for a gift that gives back to the community. Truly a gift that keeps on giving!
Be it photography, music, or movies, your colleagues’ list of interests can go on and on. Take some time to sit and spark a lively conversation with them about what they like best and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
#3 Go for something practical and useful.
For colleagues who already seem to have everything they need, but are always frequenting the supermarkets for groceries or enjoying a good shopping spree every now and then, gift cards and vouchers may be a useful present to help them save on their daily expenditure.
Though this is a helpful gift that many would gladly welcome on a regular day, some of your colleagues may still appreciate a more tangible gift. You know your colleagues best! Besides gift vouchers, you could always take some time to observe their current belongings.
Maybe the bag or wallet they’ve been using looks a little worn out, or perhaps they’d like a Christmas mug to bring the holiday’s festivities to their working desk. These are also practical options you could explore for your colleagues who are all about functionality.
Of course, if you want your gift to be even more personalised, you could always…
#4 Gift something handmade and personalised.
Handmade gifts don’t always have to be fancy pop-out greeting cards. A framed team photo with a handwritten note can easily warm the heart of the newcomer at work or show your appreciation to dear colleagues who are always working diligently behind the scenes.
Of course, if you’re skilled in making elaborate Christmas greeting cards or crocheting mini stuffed animal keychains for your colleagues at work, and you have a bit more time on your hands, please step right up ahead. You’re sure to see your animal keychains hanging around on their belongings and sitting at their working desks even past Christmas. 
#5 Brainstorm and decide with a list.
If you’re overflowing with ideas at this point but are having trouble deciding on what’s the best Christmas gift to buy, we recommend making a list (and checking it twice, just like Santa Claus 
). Scribbling down the pros and cons of your Christmas gift ideas is a good way to get you thinking about what they’d like best. Making a list would also help you to consider your own resources such as time and budget, so that you don’t end up overspending on a gift.
In this step, you could also list down any upcoming sales online such as 12.12, and explore different financial platforms for hot deals. This will help you get a great gift at an affordable price for maximum gift-giving satisfaction.
Considering the cultural nuances of gifting to different ethnicities would also be wise as gifting a set of polished kitchen knives, though well-meaning, might not be well-received by Chinese colleagues who value their relationship with you.
Wrapping Up our Secret Santa Christmas Gift Guide
While we all want to buy the perfect gift for our colleagues, the most important part of gifting is definitely your thoughtfulness and effort in getting a gift. With a bit more money, anyone can buy something expensive, but a thoughtful present that you do your best to choose with your colleagues in mind are those that truly touch the heart and draw people closer to one another.
After all, it’s the thought that counts.
So! Dear Secret Santas, we ho-ho-hope you’re recharged and are bursting with Christmas gift ideas for your colleagues, or at least, are buzzing with strategies on how to uncover their secret wish lists. 🧐😃
For those of you who’ve been sourcing high and low for corporate gifts for clients, fret not! Browse through our Christmas Hampers and Gift Boxes Collection, and stay tuned for our Humming Christmas Product Range blog release.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to place a Bulk Order or have any questions on personalised gifts (which are always dearly appreciated), simply chat with us via Whatsapp (Messages Only) at +65 8668 5081, or email us at enquiry@humming.com.sg today.
With that, Humming wishes all of you a happy holiday as we count down to Christmas together. See you soon! 
Whether or not you agree, East Coast Park is a great place to visit if your friend wants to take a breath of fresh air surrounded by an array of vibrant pink and purple bougainvillea flowers. (Local tip: If you visit the Bougainvillea Garden at East Coast Park around 5-6pm, you might just be able to catch a family of colourful parrots soaring before your eyes, a delightful surprise.
