So you've drawn a name out of the hat, the budget is $20, and you've got no idea what to buy. Don't stress. Here are Kris Kringle gifts people will actually use, plus one that gets the whole room laughing on Christmas Day.
The short answer: the best Kris Kringle gifts under $20 are things people use straight away: a good treat, something for summer, or a game everyone can play at the Christmas get-together. Our party game Aussie Code works out at $17.48 per game when you buy the 4-pack ($69.90 for four), so one order covers several Kris Kringles.
Quick picks under $20
Short on time? Every idea here fits a $20 Kris Kringle or Secret Santa, and most work for someone you barely know.
- Aussie Code party game ($17.48 each in a 4-pack): opened and played on the day, by everyone.
- Good chocolate or treats: never gets regifted.
- Hot sauce, chutney or BBQ rub: useful and a little bit fancy.
- A funny stubby holder: very Aussie, and it actually gets used.
- Coffee or tea sampler: a safe bet for the office.
- A nice notebook: looks more expensive than it is.
- A small desk plant: brightens a bare desk all year.
- Novelty socks: a classic for a reason.
Aussie Code: 4 gifts at $17.48 each
Most $20 gifts get a polite "oh, lovely" and then vanish into a drawer by January. A game gets opened on the spot and played while everyone is still together.
Aussie Code plays with 2 to 20+ people, takes about 30 minutes, and there's nothing to set up. Grab a card, start the timer and go.
How it works: one person reads a "coded" phrase out loud, like "Cheese haul eighty". Everyone else can see the real answer. The reader keeps repeating it until the penny drops and they realise they've just said "She's a lady!"
The maths: a single game is $34.95, too much for a $20 Kris Kringle on its own. With our Buy 2 Get 2 Free deal, you get four games for $69.90. That's $17.48 per game, comfortably under the cap.
- The 4-pack: 4-Pack Aussie Code includes the Original, Family, Everything Aussie and Naughty editions, each with its own timer.
- Mix and match: add any four games from the Aussie Code page to your cart and Buy 2 Get 2 Free applies automatically.
- One order, every Kris Kringle: one for work, one for family, one for your mates, and one for your own Christmas Day. Or split a 4-pack with three friends.
Which edition for which swap?
- Work: Original (16+), Everything Aussie or Music.
- Family with kids: Family, made for ages 8 and up.
- Adult mates: Naughty (18+). Not one for the office.
Different budget? For a $30 limit, the Complete Aussie Code Set is five games for $149 ($29.80 each). For $40, a single Aussie Code game is $34.95.
Shop the 4-pack: 4 Kris Kringle gifts for $69.90 →
More Kris Kringle ideas under $20
A good Kris Kringle gift is useful, edible or gets a laugh. Ideally all three.
- Edible: fancy chocolate, a hot sauce for the snag lover, or a small bag of local coffee beans. Check for allergies first if you don't know them well.
- Summer and BBQ: a funny stubby holder, an insulated cup or bottle, or a fun beach game.
- For the desk: a nice notebook, a low-maintenance plant or a phone stand.
- Funny but useful: novelty socks or a cheeky mug they'd actually drink from.
- For the group: a party game like Aussie Code, or a simple deck of cards for the beach house.
Under $10? Go for a nice chocolate bar, good coffee or tea, a small notebook or fun socks. Aussie Code doesn't fit a $10 limit, but at $17.48 per game it fits a $20 one.
Kris Kringle vs Secret Santa rules
They're the same thing: everyone draws a name and buys one gift within a set budget. Kris Kringle is what many Aussie offices and families call it, and Secret Santa is just as common.
- Stick to the budget. Going way over makes others feel awkward.
- Keep it workplace-friendly at work. Save the cheeky gifts for your mates.
- Unsure? Go gender-neutral. Food, games and desk items are safe bets.
- Add a gift receipt. A nice touch if they want to swap.
- Try a "steal" round. People can swap for a gift that's already been opened. Games tend to get pinched a lot.
Order in time for Christmas
- Same-day dispatch: orders placed before 2 PM (Sydney/Melbourne time) ship the same business day.
- Free shipping over $60: the 4-pack qualifies for free standard shipping. See our shipping policy.
- Afterpay: pay in 4 interest-free instalments.
- 100-day returns: on all our games, including the 4-pack. Gift cards and discount codes aren't refundable. See our refund policy.
Christmas cut-off dates: ours follow Australia Post's Christmas sending dates. For metro areas, order before 2 PM on these 2026 dates:
- Standard, same state (within NSW or Vic): Tuesday 22 December
- Standard, interstate to ACT, NSW, Vic, Qld, SA and Tas: Monday 21 December
- Standard to WA: Friday 18 December
- Standard to NT: Wednesday 16 December
- Express: Wednesday 23 December (Tuesday 22 December to WA and NT)
Regional and remote areas need a few extra days, so order earlier outside the capitals. Buying for the whole office? See our wholesale and corporate orders.
Kris Kringle FAQ
What is a good Kris Kringle gift for $20?
Something used straight away: a quality treat, a summer item or a group game. Aussie Code is $17.48 per game in the $69.90 4-pack.
Is Kris Kringle the same as Secret Santa?
Yes. Both mean drawing a name and buying one gift within a set budget.
What's a good gift for a coworker I don't know well?
Something gender-neutral and workplace-friendly, like a treat, a desk item or a group game. For work, pick Aussie Code Original, Everything Aussie or Music rather than Naughty 18+.
How can a $34.95 game be a $20 gift?
With Buy 2 Get 2 Free you get four games for $69.90, which is $17.48 each. Use them for several Kris Kringles or split the pack with friends.
Will my order arrive before Christmas?
For metro standard shipping, order before 2 PM on Monday 21 December 2026 for interstate or Tuesday 22 December within your state (earlier for WA and NT). Express runs to Wednesday 23 December (Tuesday 22 December to WA and NT).
Which Aussie Code edition is best for a Kris Kringle?
Original (16+) suits most adult groups and Family is made for ages 8 and up. Keep Naughty (18+) for adult mates.
Sorted your Kris Kringle?
A $20 Kris Kringle doesn't have to mean another forgettable gift. Pick something useful, something tasty, or something that gets everyone laughing on Christmas Day.