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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

A gift you didn't know you needed

257 replies

Laura17111 · 11/12/2025 12:05

We are doing a secret Santa where the rules are, something you did not know you needed. There is a budget of £10, I have a 55 year old woman (close relative) to buy for.

I am looking for ideas for something you would not know you needed. Any ideas would be amazing

OP posts:
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26
UnbelieveableJefff · 11/12/2025 12:12

If you’re after practical ideas, I use these regularly (40s female):

Battery charge checker
Strawberry huller
Metal key for squeezing out cosmetic / toothpaste tubes
Device cleaning kit (for AirPods etc)

Or, you could go for food? E.g. Mausu peanut chilli oil

GeorgeTheFirst · 11/12/2025 12:12

Dawn to dusk lightbulb

MissyB1 · 11/12/2025 12:14

Toast tongs
cocktail stirrer
bag charm

Tsiagisel · 11/12/2025 12:18

I like that secret Santa theme, very good. Might pinch it for next year!

My current favourite - rechargeable handwarmers off Amazon!

Hot glue gun. (Most used object in my house)
key finder
handbag organiser
head torch
decent non spill flask cup with button

Maddy70 · 11/12/2025 12:20

UnbelieveableJefff · 11/12/2025 12:12

If you’re after practical ideas, I use these regularly (40s female):

Battery charge checker
Strawberry huller
Metal key for squeezing out cosmetic / toothpaste tubes
Device cleaning kit (for AirPods etc)

Or, you could go for food? E.g. Mausu peanut chilli oil

Honestly I would consider all that clutter and chuck it in the bin (obviously would express huge delight!)

dontmalbeconme · 11/12/2025 12:21

An egg cracker tool.

A gift you didn't know you needed
Nevernonono · 11/12/2025 12:23

Loving these

Nevernonono · 11/12/2025 12:26

Maddy70 · 11/12/2025 12:20

Honestly I would consider all that clutter and chuck it in the bin (obviously would express huge delight!)

Charity shop donation would be better

itsthetea · 11/12/2025 12:29

well clealry if you didn’t know you needed it , then it’s rather hard …

all the ideas here I would class a utter junk although I suspect I would excuse myself from the secret Santa

I would stick to consumables - chilli or basil flavored oil was something I would never buy but was actually useful

Laura17111 · 11/12/2025 12:30

Some brilliant ideas so far thank you

OP posts:
Laura17111 · 11/12/2025 12:30

Tsiagisel · 11/12/2025 12:18

I like that secret Santa theme, very good. Might pinch it for next year!

My current favourite - rechargeable handwarmers off Amazon!

Hot glue gun. (Most used object in my house)
key finder
handbag organiser
head torch
decent non spill flask cup with button

Edited

I love the idea if rechargeable hand warmers 😊

OP posts:
GrumpySparkler · 11/12/2025 12:34

Might be a touch over your £10 limit, but an egg cooker. DH bought me one about 5 years ago. I love it. I use it a couple of times a week - but I bloody love a boiled egg! 😂

Roseshavethorns · 11/12/2025 12:34

A small wind up torch.
We seem to be experiencing so many more power cuts these days it helps not having to check batteries etc.

IlovePond · 11/12/2025 13:06

@Laura17111

Power bank
Acrylic make up storage containers
Egg pan
Wax wraps

eyespartyparty · 11/12/2025 13:09

Nice salad serving spoons
Cocktail recipe book
Fizz-keeping cork

Theda13 · 11/12/2025 14:11

A power bank for phone.
Extra long phone cable.
Tube squeezer for toothpaste and other cosmetics.
A nice tote bag.

LarrySherbert · 11/12/2025 14:18

A decent, leak proof travel mug (mine is contigo snapseal, about £12 ATM so just over. 😬)

Thermal gloves with a Sherpa fleece lining, game changer.

Reusable ice cubes.

Magic oven gloves.

Yaktrax.

minipie · 11/12/2025 14:27

An egg pricker - stops boiled eggs from cracking.

A carabiner (sp?) is surprisingly useful.

I like the food idea better though. Something delicious but slightly obscure/unlikely to buy yourself. like a fancy Italian chocolate hazelnut spread, or Ottolenghi spice mixes etc.

alatusblack · 11/12/2025 14:31

Look up Bartender champagne cork puller! No home should be without one 😀

SharpLemonShark · 11/12/2025 14:32

It very much depends on the individual doesn’t it? Like a pp quite a few of these would fall into the tat category for me but then I suppose some of my you need this recommendations would be Hmm for others.

Anyway, some things I’ve bought that I hadn’t previously realised I needed but have found really useful:

Clip on rechargeable book light
A set of lazy Susan things for herbs & spices, cans etc
Toast tongs
Mesh laundry bags
One of those ink roller stamps that covers confidential information

staringatthesun · 11/12/2025 15:01

LarrySherbert · 11/12/2025 14:18

A decent, leak proof travel mug (mine is contigo snapseal, about £12 ATM so just over. 😬)

Thermal gloves with a Sherpa fleece lining, game changer.

Reusable ice cubes.

Magic oven gloves.

Yaktrax.

Edited

These gloves sound awesome! Where are they from please?

DeanStockwell · 11/12/2025 15:05

Maddy70 · 11/12/2025 12:20

Honestly I would consider all that clutter and chuck it in the bin (obviously would express huge delight!)

So what would you buy then ?

I second the rechargeable hand warmers, esp if they spend a lot of time outside like public transport commuters, dog walkers , taking dvs to the park , football matches.

But they are also good around the house when watching TV and such like.
I bought a set last winter then bought my DB a set , we both use them a lot.

HeadyLamarr · 11/12/2025 15:08

Tide pen (instant spot remover for clothes when out and about), rechargeable hand warmers, or those kitchen gloves that mean you can't cut yourself with a knife or mandolin. All are far more useful than I expected.

(If she isn't prone to spilling coffee and/or soup on her top regularly, she might not need to Tide Pen as badly as I do)

youalright · 11/12/2025 15:14

This is use it all the time absolutely love it such a time saver

A gift you didn't know you needed