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Ahh, the awkward cadence of an office Secret Santa event is beautiful. Completing everyone’s holiday experience, mystery gifting either really works or doesn’t. In 2021, there are so many gifting options for those on a budget, especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the rearview mirror.
Logically, you’d think prices would shoot back up to make up for the losses incurred on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but it’s actually the opposite. both events create a massive surge in revenue for retailers worldwide, which also means they’ve managed to shift a lot of lines they wouldn’t normally sell. They also need to carry on incentives through to the new year to ensure people keep spending, which means some great Secret Santa savings. Here’s what we found:
Best Secret Santa gifts under $20
Blink – Mini Indoor 1080p Wi-Fi Security Camera
A security camera might be an odd Secret Santa gift this holiday, but this is actually a brilliant bit of tech, Are you gifting someone with troublesome kids or maybe a Cat or Dog? You can do things like set motion alerts on your smartphone and hold two-way audio conversations too. Catching your kids watching TV instead of doing homework whilst you work has never been easier. Blink allows users to monitor their homes indoors via the Blink app day or night in glorious 1080p also.
Amazon – Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) with Alexa Voice Remote
Fire TV Sticks give people with older TVs the chance to get some Smart TV action by installing apps directly to Fire TV Stick and streaming from there. In fact, multiple Smart TV owners still choose Amazon Fire TV Sticks due to their libraries and versatility thanks to its Android-based platform. You can also play games and surf the internet (not recommended) on Fire TV Sticks, making them a great Secret Santa gift.
Amazon – Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – Smart Speaker with Alexa
If your Secret Santa victim hasn’t mentioned Alexa, or if they’re a big fan of smart home tech, an extra Echo Dot won’t go a-miss. The beauty of Amazon Echo devices is it doesn’t matter how many you have, and they’ll work in sync to make sure your voice is heard no matter where you are at home. Users can control thousands of smart home devices with the Echo Dot alone, making it one of the best Secret Santa gift ideas in 2021.
KontrolFreek FPS Freek Galaxy 4 Prong Performance Thumbsticks for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Have a keen gamer for your Secret Santa gift this year? Maybe these will do the trick if they have an Xbox One or Series X/S. A step up from cheap rubber thumb grips, Kontrol Freeks grips are slightly raised for extra maneuverability. What’s more? They come with custom laser-etched grips which means more precision and a better tactile grip for those important FPS online ranked matches. Also, it’s a cheaper alternative to buying an Elite Controller.
PopSockets – PopGrip Cell Phone Grip and Stand
PopSockets are a simple answer to a big problem, keeping hold of a smartphone. Providing it’s not being stuck to a silicone surface, PopSockets use a big suction cup to stick to your device, providing something to grip whilst operating your smartphone one-handed. It sounds like a gimmick, but it can be really challenging keeping grip of a bigger smartphone whilst using one hand. It doesn’t look like much of a Secret Santa gift, but it’s a practical and useful one.
Sony WI-C310 Wireless In-Ear Headphones
Yes, we know you can see a wire, but wireless headphones mean there’s no wire going from the earbuds to the connecting device. Resting on the back of your neck, the WI-C310s offer up to 15 hours of playtime and pair instantly with a Bluetooth-enabled device. Its 9mm drivers will deliver powerful sound, and you’ll get 60 minutes of playtime with just 10 minutes of charging.
Tile – Mate (2020)
Bluetooth trackers are gaining popularity in 2021, and they’re also a great way to keep an eye on where your keys or bag are. Tile is a giant in the Bluetooth tracker space, and the Tile Mate is a great little product for Secret Santa gifting. All that’s needed is the Tile app and an iOS or Android-enabled device to get going. Some smartphones such as Huawei don’t run either, so make sure you check their handset make and model first before buying.
Thanks for choosing PC Guide to help you find the best Secret Santa gifts for under $20. We’re working on all kinds of gift articles and guides, so make sure to bookmark and check out our Gift hub for more.
