The best Secret Santa gifts that they'll actually want this holiday season

If your Secret Santa does the Wordle every day, they'll love this book of 500 puzzles that they can play without their phone. This book includes easy, medium and expert level puzzles so anyone can get into it. 

One content Wordle fan shared: "If you are a Wordle fan like me, the one word a day isn’t enough — this is the book for you. It is fun, makes you think, and has plenty of puzzles. It gets passed around when I’m with family because everyone wants to try it."

Encourage your friend to curl up in front of the fire with a new page-turner this winter. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller packed with juicy twists as the story follows Nina and her time working as a maid for the mysterious Winchesters. Plus, now's the perfect time to give this book since it's being turned into a movie starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.

Who said a game of Monopoly had to take hours? With Monopoly Deal, you can whip through a game in just 15 minutes. This fast-paced card game can be played with two to five players and is a fun thing to breakout at seasonal get-togethers or just cozy nights in.

One five-star fan exclaimed, "Monopoly Deal is super easy to learn and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to play. We take it on trips and have played it in the airport and by the campfire. The best part: no crying or stress of counting money like the traditional monopoly. Yay!"

Everyone can use a pair of slippers during the colder months. Perfect for padding around with coffee or giving tired toes a break from winter boots, these smiley slippers are sure to make the recipient grin.

One five-star fan shared: "I love these slippers. They are soft, fit true-to-size, and are so cute. They have a plastic bottom so you can run outside to take the dogs out and don’t have to worry about slipping on tile or hardwood."

While you likely recognize the bestselling 40-ounce Stanley tumbler that comes with a handle (a personal favorite of mine!), did you know that Stanley also makes an adorable 14-ounce bottle? This petite tumbler is ideal for keeping by your bedside or on your desk, and it is a total steal for just $20. One of Stanley's larger tumblers earned a spot on our list of the best water bottles of 2024, but this pint-size version may prove to be a bit more practical. 

Foodies will squeal when they open up a Jenny Lemons hair clip. The brand offers a wide range of food-themed claw clips that are not only ridiculously cute, but also sturdy enough to keep hair comfortably in place. Each claw clip is handmade and hand-painted, so they really are works of art. 

While I am obsessed with this sweet strawberry clip, I also have the croissant and hotdog claw clips on my wishlist.

You can never have too many hydrating lip balms, so treat your friend's pout to Laneige's internet-famous, celebrity-loved lip mask this holiday. This No. 1 bestselling bundle includes five flavored lip masks (think delicious flavors like gummy bear and peach iced tea) that are great to give all at once or to spread out amongst pals. 

Not totally sold? Check this out: This set of lip masks has earned more than 37,000 five-star ratings and it earned a spot on Google's Holiday 100 gift list.

This smart speaker may be small, but it packs a serious punch. It's compact enough to easily fit on a nightstand or office bookshelf, and it takes voice commands via Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa. You can set alarms, create reminders, find out the weather and so much more just by asking. Take it from Yahoo's Rick Broida: "The Echo Dot an excellent device, one that's incredibly useful and versatile. Whether it's your first foray into smart speakers or simply an extension of an existing smart-home setup, you'll find it an amazing asset. Plus, at only $50 it's quite affordable..."

Perfect for luggage, keys, pet collars and more, an Apple AirTag can give some peace of mind when things get lost or misplaced. Yahoo Tech Editor Rick Broida praises the AirTag for being both easy to set up and use, as well as small and unobtrusive. Add a little more pizzazz to this gift with a fun-colored keychain. But a reminder — this Apple product only works with an iPhone.

Jetsetters will appreciate this handsome leather passport holder. Thanks to its three card holders and two slip pockets, there's even room for additional IDs, credit cards and travel documents. This holder also has RFID blocking capabilities so they rest assured that their private information stays private. 

Let me let you in on a little secret of mine — Grey Bandit makes some of my very favorite winter scarves. They are delightfully oversized, are free of any loud branding and come in the prettiest designs for about $30. I typically gravitate toward bright colors, but this season I'm eyeing this checkered scarf that features mainly earth tones. P.S. These scarves are final sale!

Charlotte Tilbury is a favorite beauty brand of mine and Yahoo Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini's. So when I spotted this mini blush and highlighter duo, I knew I'd be gifting it to several friends. The blush and highlighter both come in the brand's iconic Pillow Talk shade, which is universally flattering, making this a great gift option for practically anyone on your list. The blush can be worn on its own, but who doesn't love a little extra glow around the holidays? Nab this find for less than $35.

If your Secret Santa has a thing for scents, they will flip when they receive this Sol de Janeiro bundle. This body care trio includes the brand's body wash, fragrance mist and TikTok-famous Bum Bum cream, which all feature Sol de Janeiro's popular pistachio and salted caramel scent. 

While the body wash and mist smell incredible (I use both regularly), the body cream is the real star. Take it from Yahoo's Jennifer Romolini, who calls it "a wildly indulgent treat for your skin." 

Serve up a great gift to the pickleball player in your life with this paddle-shaped, ceramic snack tray. This colorful hosting essential has three snack sections and one for dip, plus, it's both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so clean-up is a breeze. This is one gift that's sure to be an ace (I had to!).

I treat myself to a moisturizing face mask at least once a week during the winter to help my skin survive the freezing temps and harsh winds. Loops' hydrogel masks are some of my very favorite for good reason. They're effective, but they also don't slide around on my face or make my sensitive skin break out. The brand recently launched its Dew Cloud formula, which is both firming and hydrating — yes, I'm bringing home a pack of five for myself immediately.

Give the dog lover in your life just what they want — a pillow that resembles their pooch! This 100% hand-hooked wool pillow is an awesome addition to any couch or bed situation. There are nine dog breeds to choose from, ranging from pugs to labs, but each pillow is just as cute as the next. 

For this year's gift swap, give the present of a good night's sleep. This mask from Slip (which also makes some of Shopping Director Jeanine Edwards' favorite silk hair ties) is wildly soft and gentle on both skin and hair. I don't have the luxury of having blackout shades, so I reach for this sleep mask most mornings and have no trouble drifting back off to dreamland.

Book lovers will flip for this handy reading valet that will neatly corral all of their reading must-haves. It has a spot for their drink, glasses and phone, as well as a triangle for them to rest their book on without losing their place. Did I mention this fun and functional gift is a favorite of Yahoo Gifting Editor Amanda Garrity's? 

Cardigans are a seasonal style must-have and this one from Garage hits all the right notes. Layer it over tees or button it up and wear it one its own, this sweater comes in sizes XXS-XL and seven colors. Pro tip: It is slightly cropped, so if you are looking for a slouchier fit, you may want to buy a size up.

Since most Secret Santa gift exchanges have a price limit, you likely can't gift your recipient an expensive Le Creuset Dutch Oven without breaking the rules. However, you can give them a similar (and wallet-friendly) one from Amazon Basics. While this enameled Dutch Oven may not be as durable as other pricier options, Yahoo Home Editor Lisa Schweitzer says it's a good starter option for those looking to expand their cookware collection. And for less than $55, it's hard to beat.

While Alo is known mostly for its high-quality activewear (check out Yahoo Fashion Editor Rebecca Carhart's favorite pieces), you don't want to miss out on its accessories. This knit beanie features a ribbed cuff and the brand's logo. This hat comes in tan and black, but this green shade feels so festive. 

Who doesn't love receiving jewelry? These gorgeous hypoallergenic hoops from Rellery are a sure crowd-pleaser and will go with anything. The gold and crystal combo has just the right amount of sparkle for a holiday party or just everyday life. If you're looking for something a little more unique, Rellery offers a ton of personalized jewelry to add an extra thoughtful touch.

Treat your fashion-minded friend to this stylish mini tote from JW Pei. The faux-suede style looks like a high-end design, but you nab it for less than 90 bucks. It comes with a detachable strap, and while the bag may look tiny, it's actually large enough to fit an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Yahoo Fashion Editor Rebecca Carhart has even deemed this accessory one of her fall must-haves.

Elevate their next pizza night with this trio from Brightland. Complete with the brand's top-rated (and my personal favorite) extra virgin olive oil, raw balsamic vinegar and spicy pizza oil, this set can amp up pretty much any dish. It also comes with a smooth-pouring, brushed gold spout so the olive oil bottle stays clean. 

Whether they drizzle their next pie with the pizza oil or use the oil and vinegar to whip up a quick salad dressing, there are endless ways to use these toppers. Pro tip: Brightland suggests trying the "hot and herbaceous" pizza oil on pasta, eggs and vegetables. 

The best gifts are both luxe and something the recipient wouldn't normally buy for themselves. Take, for example, the Freja Toiletry Case. This vegan leather case is water-resistant and scratch-proof, so your friend doesn't have to worry about tossing it in their suitcase or carry-on. If you want to go the extra mile, fill this toiletry case with a few of your beauty favorites for them to use on their next trip.