Have you tried Elfster? Elfster is the Web 2.0 of Secret Santas – a Secret Santa Online Gift Exchange Provider – who’s mission is to make the joy of giving fun and easy to experience, reviving time honored traditions with new thinking and new technology. Is a great tool for Secret Santa exchanges at the office or for the family holiday gathering.

And that’s what my office is doing – the annual Secret Santa Exchange. Names have already been drawn and we have officially begun the holiday season (ya, the beginning of November). Holiday gift giving at the office can quickly become overwhelming to your budget. Fortunately, my office has set a spending limit of $10. Here are some great gifts that you can purchase for under $10 without looking stingy:

1. Holiday Scented Candle & A Throw

   One year, a coworker gave me a Holiday Spice candle and a Cranberry colored throw. I still love using the throw on the couch during the winter months. It was a perfect gift. Yankee Candle Co. small votive candles actually last quite a few hours. It’s the only candle brand I buy.

 

2. Christmas CD

   Why not help start the mood with jingles from Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, or Andy Williams. Perhaps accompany the gift with a box of homemade biscotti.

 

 

3. Set of Picture Frames filled with Home Holiday Recipes

   A good place to find a set of picture frames would be in the clearance section of Target or Bed Bath & Beyond. A nice solid black frame accompanies almost any household interior. Make it extra special by framing some of your homemade holiday dessert recipes.

 

4. Gift Card

   This one never goes out of style and remains a popular gift in the office. Give a gift card to their favorite lunch or coffee location. Starbuck and Target always tops the list in the States!

 

5. Make-up Tote

   Don’t take this one lightly. I found a gorgeous 3 piece Make-up Tote, in exquisite Chinese fabric, at JCPenny’s for $10. And the recipient loved, loved the gift.

 

 

6. Craft Supplies

   Do you have someone who likes to knit, scrapbook, or hobby some type of craft during their spare time. Try your local craft store for some fabulous finds like a set of decorative scissors, scrapbooking embellishments, or colored yarn.

 

7. Journal or a Book & a box of Tea

   Nothing better than spending quite time on the couch to journal some thoughts and sip some warm tea. A good place to find a nice journal for mega cheap bucks? My mom and I found really nice ones in the clearance section at a Border’s Book Store waaaayyy in the back. Don’t be afraid to check out the clearance sections – you can find some optimal finds!

   Many book stores also carry a great selection of Books under $10. A great author for cozy holiday reading? Debbie Macomber for sure!

 

8. Cookbook & Ingredients or Gourmet Pasta

   Again, check out the marked down books at your bookstore. There is always a great cookbook inventory there. I found one of my favorites, a 400+ soup recipe book, in that section for $4. Accompany the cookbook with some gourmet shaped pasta.

 

9. Gourmet Chocolate Bars wrapped with red bow

   Chocolate is a girl’s best friend. The local drugstore or Target carries quite a selection of gourmet chocolate bars. Stack em’ high and wrap with a gorgeous red bow.

 

10. Colorful Post-it Notes

    Due to the economic downturn many supply budgets have been cut from the office. To us, that meant no more colored Post-it Notes. *sigh* Brighten a coworker’s day with a bright package of them.

11. Holiday scented Bath Products

    Here is another popular gift among coworkers – sented bath products. The favorite store is Bath & Bodyworks. The favorite office scent – Sweat Pea and Japanese Cherry Blossom.

 

12. Set of Christmas Cookie Cutters

    Another of my favorite cooking/baking gift to recommend, is a box a holiday cookie cutters. Wilton’s has a splendid box of colored cookie cutters for just under $10. No, it is not polite etiquette to expect your coworker will bring you sugar cookies to work. 😉

I hope that you enjoyed some of these ideas. It helped me decide what to get my pick for the secret santa exchange! What are some of your favorite under $10 gifts?

Click Here for more Frugal Christmas Ideas from Money Funk