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Christmas

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

Original poster

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
QuirkyMoose · 13/12/2025 22:14

A battery operated handheld vibrator.
Yeah. Absolutely did not want one of those or felt I needed one of those.
Boyfriend got this as part of a gag gift,
Small AA battery handheld controller with a thumb operated dial to turn up the intensity, accord, and a metal oval colored vibrating egg-shaped thing. It was supposed to fit into some silicon tube with finger-like projections, it also came with a lube, it was a gag birthday gift for him.
He said well you might as well take the vibrator part...
I'd never even seen a sex toy before.
That is now my favorite adult toy. So inexpensive to get a replacement for, you can use rechargeable batteries, simple to clean, If I had not been given this as a gift that I absolutely didn't know that I wanted, but I never would have known the joys of this particular item

katepilar · 13/12/2025 22:46

onestepinfrontoftheother · 11/12/2025 16:04

I think you can get a parcel opener/box cutter on Amazon. Saves having to wrestle with a pair of scissors every time a delivery turns up.

You need a knife not scissors to open boxes with tape around them.

Nichebitch · 14/12/2025 00:49

SchatzMaus · 11/12/2025 19:31

A “sauberkugel” which is a bag-cleaning ball. Simply drop it into your handbag and it collects all dust, crumbs, lint etc. It is super easy to clean and ready to get back to cleaning. Available on Amazon I believe. I bought these for myself in Germany a few years ago and have never looked back!

Ooh just googled them! This is wonderful

tanqueray10 · 14/12/2025 05:58

A rechargeable lighter. Use mine all the time for lighting candles and the fire. Great gadget!

JulesJules · 14/12/2025 07:02

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002OOVC84/?coliid=I169B7SV5YQJJZ&colid=1PR7QB3EG9LSX&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
Safe tool for slicing through parcel tape etc. It's magnetic so can live on the fridge, or on a keyring

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 14/12/2025 08:00

doglikescheeseontoast · 12/12/2025 07:59

I was going to say - I often see these recommended, but always imagine a sharpie would be just as efficient.

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The one I have puts a series of random numbers/symbols that you cannot read through.
Sharpie pen , if you hold it at a certain angle you can clearly see the print .

Those multi-blade scissors ( for herbs , or shredding labels when you CBA going to the shredder )
Magnetic toast tongs
£1 holder - I got one for DS ( filled with £15 of coins) as he finds them handy

ThisMellowCat · 14/12/2025 08:11

Digital kitchen scales, a decent chopping board, a decent set of manicure tools, a decent sized travel jewellery box.

Checkandcheckagain · 14/12/2025 10:29

A mini jug is so very versatile, the best secret Santa I ever received.

jocktamsonsbairn · 14/12/2025 12:23

k1233 · 13/12/2025 07:05

I have and love my Microwave rice cooker - 15 mins for perfect rice every time. Rinse the rice and follow the instructions. I've had mine for a very long time.

Mine is like this one

Me too! I can’t cook rice very well the traditional way and this is so easy - perfect rice every time!

OMGitsnotgood · 14/12/2025 12:31

If she likes olives, an olive spoon for lifting olives out of the jar and draining at the same time, and a jar of posh olives. I put one in DH’s stocking last year after reading about it on here and it has been used loads.

OMGitsnotgood · 14/12/2025 12:47

SeaAndStars · 11/12/2025 20:21

A glass nail file. I didn't know they existed, my friend bought me one and I thought, WTF. It's better than any emery board I've ever used, has lasted years and has saved me £££ on buying rubbish cardboard ones.

I have a Leighton Denny glass file and it’s amazing. Might be over budget for this one but sometimes come up on offer

OMGitsnotgood · 14/12/2025 12:51

Popfan · 13/12/2025 19:33

I'm 51... haven't read the whole thread but so many of these ideas are dull old lady gifts! Sorry!
I'd like something pretty... if it's a tenner you can still get some really nice jewellery from somewhere like FatFace. Have a look at their website. That's what I'd like!

That’s not in keeping with the theme for this secret Santa though is it?

YouMightLikeCats · 14/12/2025 15:01

This is my thread of the year so far!
I am another who LOVES my microwave rice cooker.

comeondover · 14/12/2025 15:48

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

Haven't rtft. Has anyone mentioned a heavy duty sellotape dispenser? ie one that stays put and you can use it one-handed while the other hand holds the paper down. Makes a big difference. Also useful in non-wrapping circs

Awishcometrue · 14/12/2025 17:10

dontmalbeconme · 11/12/2025 12:21

An egg cracker tool.

Didn't know these even existed...I'm going to buy myself one thankyou!

FallenMadonnawiththeBadBoobies · 14/12/2025 20:22

Don’t know what happened to the end of my post 😩. Meant to say I wouldn’t be without mine.

Whichone2024 · 14/12/2025 21:33

Pregnancy pillow. I got when when pregnant but then the kids tried it and said it made sleeping so much cosier. They all got one for Christmas and where over the moon lol.
basically just a giant v shaped pillow

Whichone2024 · 14/12/2025 21:34

Awishcometrue · 14/12/2025 17:10

Didn't know these even existed...I'm going to buy myself one thankyou!

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I just Googled it because all I could imagine was a tiny hammer lol

onestepinfrontoftheother · 15/12/2025 11:03

katepilar · 13/12/2025 22:46

You need a knife not scissors to open boxes with tape around them.

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I never use a knife - a sharp kitchen knife? I feel like that is cross contamination of parcels/outside with food?! 😳

JustPeter · 15/12/2025 11:29

onestepinfrontoftheother · 15/12/2025 11:03

I never use a knife - a sharp kitchen knife? I feel like that is cross contamination of parcels/outside with food?! 😳

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Food does come from the outside though

DeanStockwell · 15/12/2025 15:40

onestepinfrontoftheother · 15/12/2025 11:03

I never use a knife - a sharp kitchen knife? I feel like that is cross contamination of parcels/outside with food?! 😳

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I am not worried about cross contamination but I prefer to keep a small single blade penknife on the coat hook by the front door for parcel opening , just because I cba arsed going to the kitchen for a knife or scissor.
Plus I tend to put a kitchen knife down and forget it but the penknife goes straight back on its hook .

Snowontheroof · 15/12/2025 16:07

DeanStockwell · 15/12/2025 15:40

I am not worried about cross contamination but I prefer to keep a small single blade penknife on the coat hook by the front door for parcel opening , just because I cba arsed going to the kitchen for a knife or scissor.
Plus I tend to put a kitchen knife down and forget it but the penknife goes straight back on its hook .

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That's a great idea!

knottywig · 15/12/2025 19:29

DeanStockwell · 15/12/2025 15:40

I am not worried about cross contamination but I prefer to keep a small single blade penknife on the coat hook by the front door for parcel opening , just because I cba arsed going to the kitchen for a knife or scissor.
Plus I tend to put a kitchen knife down and forget it but the penknife goes straight back on its hook .

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Keys work also to open parcels. Love the name btw!

Snowontheroof · 16/12/2025 01:03

I remember him mostly from Quantum Leap.

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