9 mins 
It’s Christmas season, which means the group chat is buzzing and everyone’s stressing over virtual Secret Santa. And let’s be honest, choosing a gift for a coworker you only “know” from a tiny Zoom square is tricky. (Does John even like stationery?) Don’t worry. We’ve rounded up Christmas gift ideas that are fun, meaningful, and guaranteed to land well
So, read on for the list of the 10 best virtual Secret Santa ideas for coworkers that will undoubtedly keep you on St.Nick’s nice list.
1. What is a Virtual Secret Santa Exchange?
A virtual Secret Santa party is the online version of the traditional gift exchange, designed for remote or hybrid teams. Playing online Secret Santa is slightly different from playing it in person. Instead of drawing names from a bowl, participants enter their names into a random name generator to get matched anonymously. Everyone selects and sends gifts online, whether digital goodies or fun experiences. To add a bit of fun to the exchange, you can have the recipients try guessing who their Secret Santa is.
2. 10 Best Virtual Secret Santa Ideas for Remote Teams
2.1. Holiday Winter Accessories🧦
Who doesn’t love some cozy winter accessories as a present for a Secret Santa gift exchange? Gloves, scarves, or hats make great winter essentials to add an extra flair to any holiday outfit. You can even customize items like socks by adding your coworker’s pet’s face or a favorite sports team logo on them. From getting classic winter wear to ordering holiday-themed accessories, there are various ways to spice up this simple online Secret Santa idea.
Tip: You can even send a holiday ornament decorating kit, or the giver can join a Holiday Ornament Paint Party to hand-paint ornaments and share a personalized set with their Secret Santa match.
2.2. Decorated Treats 🍪
A festive box of decorated cookies or cupcakes makes a thoughtful, sweet gift, especially when you decorate the treats yourself. You can join Hooray Teams Christmas cookie or cupcake decorating class, where an expert baker teaches painting techniques and guides you through seasonal designs like Santa Claus, snowflakes, and winter wonderland scenes. The result is a personalized set of treats that feel much more meaningful than anything store-bought.
Tip: If your giftee has a creative streak, consider gifting them a decorating kit or even a spot in a virtual decorating class so they can enjoy the fun themselves.
2.3. Chocolate Tasting Kits 🍬
Chocolate tasting kits are simple and foolproof virtual Secret Santa gift ideas your remote teammates will love. You can include a mix of classic truffles, artisanal bonbons, or even the gooiest chocolate chip cookies for a fun variety. These curated kits let them sample different varieties of chocolates from dark and nutty to fruity, spiced, or artisanal blends. With a guided virtual chocolate tasting session, your coworker can explore unique flavor notes and enjoy a richer, more interactive experience.
Tip: Add a small pairing set like coffee, bourbon, or premium wine samples to elevate the chocolate tasting experience.
2.4. Immersive Virtual Experiences 🌐
Looking for out-of-the-box virtual Secret Santa gifts for your teammates? Skip the usual stuff and surprise your teammates with an unforgettable Hooray Teams experience. You can choose from thrilling games, brainy challenges, online workshops, or virtual 3D tours. The platform’s dedicated host will guide participants throughout each event in a fun and engaging setting. Our top recommended virtual events include The Alchemist Virtual Escape Room and Murder on Candy Cane Lane Mystery.
Tip: Alternatively, you can gift smart gadgets like VR headsets, augmented reality glasses, wireless gaming controllers, or a Gimbal stabilizer
2.5. Succulents Terrarium 🪴
This is one of the best Virtual Secret Santa ideas for coworkers who love gardening or appreciate having a touch of nature on their desk. With Hooray Teams, you can join a guided hands-on session where an expert builds a beautiful glass-globe terrarium featuring succulents and seasonal accents. The finished décor piece can then be safely shipped to your teammates along with easy-care guidelines.
Tip: If you have no patience for being crafty, you can also gift easy alternatives like a bonsai kit, a stylish plant-care set, a compact herb garden kit, or even an eco-friendly planting kit.
2.6. Milk Frother 🥛
If your colleague loves lattes or cappuccinos, a milk frother could be the best Secret Santa gift idea. A high-quality milk frothing device might just be what they need to log in to work, fresh and bright-eyed!
This device is perfect for creating a nice foam from milk, which they can use in their morning cup of joe. Our personal pick is the PowerLix Milk Frother and Whisk Foam maker. You can scout for more options online or get it from a local store and mail it to your coworker.
Tip: Pair the frother with a bag of gourmet coffee beans or flavored syrups for an extra treat.
2.7. Fruit-infused Water Bottle 💧
Fruit-infused water bottles are the best way to stay hydrated, making them a thoughtful choice for virtual Secret Santa gifts. These bottles feature an infuser pump to infuse with fruit flavors, so your coworker can enjoy something refreshing throughout the day.
You can fill the inside of the tube with any fruit of your choice - berries, citrus, or mint and sip from it all day as you work. It is spill-proof and fits in most car cups, thanks to the cap screws.
Tip: To make this gift even more fun, include a small selection of dried fruits or fresh fruit for them to try in the water bottle.
2.8. ‘Me’ Time Hamper 🧘
During the busy and chilly holiday season, self-care is essential for rejuvenating the festive spirit. Your coworker will be thrilled to unwrap a thoughtful self-care kit that encourages relaxation and well-being. You can curate the gift box with organic, sustainable, and premium self-care essentials to truly pamper your giftee. This could include bath and body care products, scented candles, essential oils, herbal tea bags, and wellness journals.
Tip: Alternatively, you can gift a guided meditation class, a wellness workshop, or a therapeutic art class.
2.9. Weighted Blankets 🛏
Weighted blankets make a thoughtful gift option for your coworkers who may have trouble falling asleep after a stressful day at work. These blankets are typically heavier than regular ones and are designed to mimic a hug, creating a sense of comfort.
Multiple businesses sell these mattresses online, giving you a wide range of options. The price range of these products is flexible enough to suit different budget limits for a virtual gift exchange.
Tip: Choose a lighter, more breathable weighted blanket for those in warmer climates.
2.10. Foodies Dice 🥂🧇🍽️
Do you have any amateur cooks in your team? Well, here are the best virtual Secret Santa ideas for them to put their skills to the test. The Foodies Dice is a perfect gift idea for people who like to cook a little outside their comfort zone. This product comes with various dice to choose proteins, grains, seasonal vegetables, cooking methods, and bonus ingredients to experiment with for your holiday dinner. The best part? It's vegetarian and vegan-friendly, so you can try dishes that suit everyone’s preferences.
Tip: Include a fun recipe booklet with ideas for dishes to try using the Foodies Dice. This helps spark creativity in the kitchen.
3. FAQs
3.1. How to do Secret Santa online for remote teams?
To run Secret Santa online, use a random name generator to assign Santas anonymously. Then, set a comfortable budget and a delivery deadline that suits your team. Encourage everyone to share virtual gift exchange ideas for Secret Santa or a simple wish list to make gifting easier and more thoughtful. Once the gifts have been sent, bring the team together for a virtual gathering on the scheduled day, where everyone can unwrap their presents on camera and reveal their Secret Santa. On the day of the event, you can even plan icebreaker questions or a fun guess-the-gift session before unwrapping presents.
3.2. How to assign Secret Santa online?
There are many online name generators like Elfster or DrawName, that can randomly send links with the details of the coworker for whom you should buy gifts. This is also a great addition to your list of virtual Secret Santa reveal ideas, as it is easy and seamless.
3.3. Why do we play Secret Santa?
Secret Santa online gift exchange is a fun and meaningful way for coworkers to get into the seasonal spirit. Employees can enjoy the fun of giving and the excitement of unwrapping a thoughtful gift from a mystery teammate. It’s a lighthearted way to connect, learn a little more about one another, and share a memorable moment as a team.
3.4. What are some great tips for hosting a Secret Santa online gift exchange?
Here are some useful tips to help you organize a successful virtual Secret Santa party:
- Set a budget for the gift that everyone can afford and inform the team in advance.
- Select a date for the event on or before Christmas Eve according to your holiday calendars.
- Send the link to any online Secret Santa name generator to all interested participants.
- You can also invite your team to fill in their wishlists (optional)
- Mail the gifts and on the event day to unwrap them over a video call.
- To keep the energy high, you can plan simple Secret Santa game ideas like festive icebreakers, a fun “guess the gifter” round, or quick holiday-themed trivia.
3.5. What are some creative Secret Santa ideas for remote teams?
Some creative Secret Santa ideas for remote teams include virtual decorating or mixology classes, curated coffee or wine-tasting kits, and themed DIY kits such as candle-making or pottery.
