Quick answer: Good Secret Santa gifts under $20 are small, useful and hard to get wrong. A medium claw clip in tortoise or a neutral color, a pearl hair clip, a velvet bow or a set of decorative hair pins all fit a $20 limit, work for most hair types, and do not need a clothing size. Choose a medium size and a neutral or classic color when you do not know the person well.
Office gift exchanges usually come with a price cap and very little information about the person you drew. Hair accessories work well in that situation: almost everyone puts their hair up at some point, and a good clip is something people rarely buy for themselves. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2026 holiday shopping trends report, clothing and accessories appear on the wish lists of about half of Gen Z and Millennial shoppers.
Key takeaways
- Stay with medium sizes and neutral or classic colors if you are unsure.
- Claw clips are the safest single gift; pearl and velvet pieces feel more festive.
- Check the person's hair length if you can: very short hair suits small clips and barrettes.
- Remember shipping when you set a budget, and order early enough for the party date.
12 Secret Santa gift ideas under $20
Prices below are from our store at the time of writing and may change.
| Gift | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Medium Claw Clip Frosted Matte Hair Clip | A medium 8.5 cm clip fits most hair; frosted black or neutral colors match anything |
| Acetate Bow Claw Clip Brown Tones 9cm | Bow-shaped acetate clip in brown tones; looks gift-like without being loud |
| Frosted Square Claw Clip Minimalist 10.5cm | Minimal 10.5 cm square clip in several neutral colors |
| Brown Striped Acetate Claw Clip 9cm | Classic striped acetate at a 9 cm everyday size |
| Velvet Bow Hair Clip with Chain Detail | A holiday-ready velvet bow in black, wine red or red |
| Oversized Satin Bow Hair Clip | Statement satin bow for a ponytail or half-up style |
| Pearl and Rhinestone Spring Hair Clip | A pearl and rhinestone clip for parties and dinners |
| Pearl U-Shaped Hair Pins Set of 18 | A set of 18 pearl pins to decorate a bun or twist |
| Gold Leaf Pearl U-Shaped Hair Pin for Updos | A single decorative pin for updos, in gold or silver tone |
| Pearl Satin Headband, Double-Layer Slim Hair Band | A slim pearl and satin headband that works with hair down |
| Knotted Fabric Headband, Wide Solid Color Hair Band | A wide knotted band in solid colors such as black or navy |
| Velvet Hair Barrette with Gold Buckle | A velvet barrette with a gold buckle, good for short hair too |
How do you choose when you do not know her style?
Pick a medium size
A clip of about 8.5–10.5 cm suits most medium-density hair for a twist and thicker hair for a half-up style. If you know she has very thick or long hair, go larger; very short or fine hair suits a small clip or a barrette. Our claw clip size guide explains sizes in more detail.
A safe medium size: Medium Claw Clip Frosted Matte Hair Clip
Choose a color she already wears
Look at what she wears to work. Someone in black and grey will reach for a black or frosted clip; someone who wears warm tones will like tortoise or brown. If you have no idea, tortoise is the most neutral pattern.
Think about her hair length
- Long hair: a claw clip or a bow for a ponytail.
- Shoulder length: a medium clip, a duckbill clip or a headband.
- Short hair or bangs: a barrette, a slim headband or a side clip.
For ideas matched to hair type, see hair accessories by hair type.
Festive picks vs everyday picks
A festive piece, such as a velvet bow or pearl clip, feels like a holiday present and will be worn to parties. An everyday piece, such as a neutral claw clip, will be used more often. If the exchange is with people you see every day, the everyday option is usually the one that gets the most use.
A festive option: Velvet Bow Hair Clip with Chain Detail
How to wrap a hair accessory gift
- Clip a claw clip onto a folded piece of tissue or card so it looks presented rather than loose.
- Tie a bow clip onto the outside of the gift bag; it doubles as decoration.
- Put small pins in a little envelope or tin so they do not get lost.
Budget and shipping
Most single items in our range are priced under $20, but shipping on orders under $79 is a $6.99 flat rate, so check your exchange's rules on whether shipping counts. If several colleagues order together and the total reaches $79, shipping is free.
When should you order for an office gift exchange?
Orders are processed in 1–3 business days and take 5–11 business days to arrive within the US. Counting the longest of both, an order placed by Monday, November 30, 2026 should arrive before a Friday, December 18 office party. For Christmas Eve, order by Friday, December 4. More gift ideas, including higher budgets, are in our hair accessory gift guide.
If the gift is not quite right
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 14 days of delivery; return shipping for change-of-mind returns is paid by the customer. Keep the packaging if you think the recipient may want a different color.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Secret Santa gift for a coworker under $20?
A medium claw clip in a neutral color is one of the safest choices: it suits most hair, needs no clothing size and gets used often. A pearl clip or velvet bow feels more festive.
Are hair accessories a good Secret Santa gift?
Yes. They are useful, easy to wrap and suit a small budget. Choose medium sizes and classic colors if you do not know the person well.
What if I do not know her hair length?
Choose a medium claw clip or a slim headband. Both work for a wide range of lengths.
Does shipping count toward a $20 Secret Santa limit?
That depends on your group’s rules. Our shipping is a $6.99 flat rate on orders under $79 and free on orders of $79 or more.
When should I order for a December 18 gift exchange?
Order by Monday, November 30, 2026 to allow for the longest processing and transit times.
Shop gifts under $20
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