Your shopping list is probably jam-packed with spot-on ideas for close friends and relatives—but what do you get someone you don't know that well? The holiday season is full of surprise gift exchange games like Secret Santa and White Elephant that leave most of us scratching our heads for the perfect present!
Whether it's a group of coworkers, your book (wine!) club gals, family members, or pickleball league-mates, it can be tricky to find the right fit. Don't stress—we've done the shopping for you! Check out this list of 9 maker gifts that anyone will love.
Santa Suggests These 9 Gifts for Your Secret Pal or White Elephant Holiday Exchange
Virgins on Fire Candle Co. (NY)
Foreclosed Gingerbread House
Maker: Jesse Regis
Nothing is certain in life other than death and taxes. Sadly, this goes for gingerbreadmen too. After his limbs were stolen by a hungry fox, even the creditors wanted a piece. With this Foreclosed Gingerbread House candle, you can share this largely unknown part of the story with unsuspecting friends and family members.
Spicy and aromatic, this candle serves a sweet ending to a tragic tale!
Stewart & Claire (PA)
Lip Balm Cocktail Trio
Maker: Kristin Donnelly
Belly up to the skincare bar for a taste of Stewart & Claire's famed trio of luscious lip libations. They artfully pack three cocktail-inspired balms into a tube reminiscent of a classy, top-shelf liquor gift set. Pucker up for a zingy taste of a Tiki, Negroni, or Old Fashioned.
Bottom's up: it's the perfect accessory for any nightcap lover.
The Candle Florist (NY)
Orchid Sea Salt Soy Candle
Maker: Sarah Park
Living flowers are fast to wilt, but with this Orchid Sea Salt Soy Candle, you can gift a fragrant, floral bouquet that lasts. It's topped with wax replicas of sweet orchids, peonies, and chrysanthemums (amongst others!) for a burst of a sunny spring garden with every lighting.
Fill the room with flowers that you won't have to throw away by the week's end!
Waxing Kara (MD)
Tea & Lolli Traveler
Maker: Kara Brown
Your holiday gathering will be abuzz with thank yous! This set of sweet treats includes six honey-flavored lollipops in un-bee-lievably mouthwatering combos like lavender and cinnamon. It also comes with a jar of Bee's Knees tea. Pro tip from Santa: the lollies will make for delicious tea stirrers!
Give the gift of Ho Ho Ho-ney to the sweet tooths on your list!
[be] blends (MD)
Snarky Amber Tumbler Soy Candle
Maker: Stacey Ann Ventura
If you're going to jingle, you might as well jingle all the way! Bring the laughs to your holiday mingling with these snarky soy candles. Between the six hilarious (and quirkily NSFW!) candle labels and 11 scents to pick from, you're sure to find one that hits all the right notes.
The Phoenix Candle Shop (MA)
Burn–Plant–Grow Gift Box
Maker: Micayla Boari
This candle turns what was once beer into brilliant blooms! Pick from one of 20+ candle scents that are then hand-poured into an upcycled can. Once it burns down, fill it up with the accompanying potting soil and seed-paper label, and watch the wildflowers grow!
Presto Candle Co. (MI)
Shhh…No One Cares Candle
Maker: Kiana Preston
Add a spirited dash of Ha Ha Ha to your Ho Ho Ho! Every scent from Presto Candle Co. serves up a hearty helping of truth. For anyone who has trouble nabbing free time, this Shh…No One Cares candle tells it like it is, like a billboard ready to immediately shush attention-seekers.
Shopping for a more raucous crowd? There are dozens of other witty (and kinky) options!
Evil Eye Sanctuary (IL)
Black Obsidian Liberty Water Bottle
Maker: Melissa Carr
After countless cocktails and servings of seconds—the holidays are an important time to stay hydrated! With this Black Obsidian Water Bottle, you'll get your 8 glasses per day in style. At the center is a rock crystal that infuses your H2O with centering, self-aware vibes to keep bad juju from even the most eye-rolly relatives at bay.
40 Life Candles (IL)
Alexa Make Me Skinny Soy Candle
Maker: Rachel Bauer & Wendy Jacobs
When you burn the turkey for the third year in a row, Alexa can distract your guests with Mariah Carey holiday hits and have a pizza there in an hour. 40 Life Candles knows that no matter how many times you beg for her lb-shedding help, our favorite go-getter can't do it all! This candle is sure to get a chuckle from anyone on your gift list.
With this reminder in hand, maybe your New Year's resolution will stick!
Questions for discussion and sharing
What are some of your favorite gift exchange games? Let us know in the comments!
Want more?
If you liked the information in this article, there's more where this came from! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter at this link.
