Inexpensive Homemade Secret Santa Gift Ideas

Is your office having a Secret Santa gift exchange? While the rules of some Secret Santa exchanges consist of the anonymous swapping of a gift with a set price range, others include secretly leaving small gifts over a period of time. If your office is undertaking the latter, following are some inexpensive homemade Secret Santa gift ideas that are sure to please your recipient.

Homemade Goodies
Everybody loves candies and cookies, especially at Christmastime when even the most health-conscious people are known to indulge. So when you are whipping up a batch of your favorite Christmas cookies or other treats, set aside enough for a small jar- or baggie-full and treat your Secret Santa recipient. Need a quick and easy treat to make in a hurry? Here's a tried-and-true microwave peanut brittle recipe:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1-2 cups peanuts or any other nut
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix sugar and corn syrup together and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Add nuts and mix well. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Add butter and vanilla and cook in microwave on high for 2 minutes. Add baking soda and mix well, mixture will foam. Spread on buttered foil (or spray with butter-flavored cooking spray). Allow to cool completely, and then break in to pieces.

Some other simple homemade treats include: chocolate-covered pretzels (simply melt chocolate chips in the microwave and dip pretzel rods or Bavarian pretzels in the melted chocolate and top with sprinkles or crushed candy canes); gifts in a jar (find some great recipes here); or a Christmas-y coffee mug (check out the thrift store or dollar store) filled with chocolate-dipped spoons (here's a recipe).

Homemade Ornaments
Everyone can use a new ornament or two! There are lots of options for different unique ornaments you can make that are simple, inexpensive and gift-worthy. You can make a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind "marbleized" ornament using an inexpensive glass bulb and paint (you can find more directions in this article). If you know how to crochet, create a starched snowflake for a homemade ornament that is sure to be treasured for years to come. You can even make charming ornaments using your computer's printer and a pair of scissors! You can find some great, free printable patterns here. If none of those ideas suit you, try this recipe for deliciously fragrant, ridiculously simple applesauce ornaments:

1 cup applesauce
1 cup cinnamon

Pour applesauce in medium-sized bowl. Gradually add cinnamon, mixing continuously until it is the consistency of play dough. Roll into shapes or use cookie cutters to create ornaments (make sure to poke a hole in the top to hang them by). Allow to harden in a warm, dry place.

Homemade Spa Gifts
There are lots of great spa and beauty gifts you can make for your Secret Santa recipient that cost pennies but are sure to be appreciated. Is your Secret Santa recipient a chocolate lover? Give them a decadent jar full of Chocolate Milk Bath. Simply mix 2 cups of powdered milk with 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and place in an air-tight container. Print a tag or label with these directions: Chocolate Milk Bath - To use, pour under warm running water and soak in an indulgent bath that will soothe tired skin and leave you feeling and smelling delicious! Create a jar full of scented bath salts by combining Kosher and/or Sea Salt with a few drops of essential oil. Food color can be added for a nice touch; try and coordinate the color with the scent. And make a luxurious sugar scrub by filling an air-tight jar with a combination of 1-part olive or almond oil to 1-part sugar. Again, essential oils and just a bit of food coloring jazz up this gift that's perfect for wind-chapped skin!

As you can see, your Secret Santa gifts can make someone's Christmas season bright without leaving you broke!