Kris Kringle Ideas Australia Will Love

22 July 20267 min read•1,250 words

Good Kris Kringle ideas are things almost anyone would be happy to unwrap: nice chocolate, cosy socks, a good candle, a small game, or a gift card to a shop everyone knows. Keep the price where it's meant to be, pick something easy to wrap, and save the personal gifts for people whose tastes you actually know well.

Every Aussie workplace, footy club and extended family seems to run a Kris Kringle at some point over summer, and every year the same question pops up in the group chat: what do I actually buy this person? You've got a budget, a stranger's name (or your cousin's, which is somehow harder), and a deadline. Below is a practical list of gifts sorted by price, plus a few ideas for tricky groups like the office and the wider family, so you can grab something good and get back to the important business of Christmas lunch.

A quick note: some links below may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only feature things we would happily give ourselves.

If your group hasn't worked out the logistics yet, that's worth sorting first. Most Aussie Kris Kringles still run on a scrap of paper in a hat, which works fine until someone loses the paper or buys for themselves by accident. You can start a Kris Kringle exchange in a couple of minutes, set a budget everyone can see, and let List of Wishes handle the name drawing instead of relying on an overseas app that doesn't know what a Bunnings snag is.

Under $10">A$10

This is the stocking-filler zone, and it's more fun than it sounds. Think small, a bit cheeky, and genuinely useful. Novelty fridge magnets, keyring bottle openers, funny tea towels and mini chocolate blocks all work well here. Practical bits do too: a decent lip balm, a phone stand, a pack of good pens, or a small notebook for the person who always says they'll start journalling. Kmart, Big W and Typo are reliable for this price band, and most towns have a $2 shop or newsagent with a surprising amount of choice once you start looking properly.

The trick under $10">A$10 is to avoid anything that reads as cheap just for the sake of being cheap. A quirky item with a bit of personality beats a bland one every time, even at this price.

Under $20">A$20

With a bit more room to move, you can go for something with a touch more polish. A nicer box of chocolates, a scented candle, a hand cream set or a pair of properly good socks all sit comfortably here. Mugs with a cheeky slogan are a bit of a cliché, but people still smile when they open one. Card games, tea sampler boxes, small potted succulents and portable phone chargers are other solid options that don't feel like an afterthought.

This range also suits gifts with a story, like a local snack hamper or something from a small Aussie maker. If you'd rather browse a shortlist than scroll endlessly, you can browse our Gift Shop for ideas that have already been sorted by price and occasion.

Under $30">A$30

At this level you can buy something that actually feels like a proper present rather than a token gesture. Insulated drink bottles, a well-made board game, a good candle from a nicer brand, gourmet snack hampers, a soft throw for the couch, or a bath and body set all land well. Books are always a safe bet if you know even one thing about what the person likes to read.

This is also a good budget for a gift that's slightly aspirational, something the person probably wouldn't buy for themselves but would genuinely use. A quality reusable coffee cup or a nice set of glasses both fit that description. If you're buying for someone who already has everything, a small hamper of local snacks or a gift card stretches further than it sounds and takes the guesswork out completely.

For the office

Office Kris Kringles have their own set of unwritten rules. Keep it neutral, keep it useful, and steer clear of anything too personal, like clothing, perfume or anything that references someone's love life. Desk plants, quality pens, a nice mug, a snack box or a gift card all tick the box without any risk of an awkward moment near the photocopier. Alcohol can work in the right office, but it's worth checking the culture first; not everyone drinks, and you don't want to be the reason someone feels left out.

Humour is welcome as long as it's gentle. A joke gift that pokes fun at an inside office reference usually lands better than a generic novelty item nobody else will understand. If in doubt, stick with something edible; almost everyone eats, and a shared box of good biscuits or chocolates on the desk is never wasted.

If your workplace still hasn't nailed down who's buying for whom, it's worth setting up a proper system this year rather than another spreadsheet nobody checks. Drawing names online also solves the classic office problem of the one person who somehow always ends up buying for themselves.

For family

Family Kris Kringles usually allow for something more personal, since you likely know a bit more about the person's actual life. Hobby-related gifts work well here: something for the gardener, the coffee snob, the one who's always renovating a room in their house. Books by a favourite author, kitchen gadgets, a game for family game night, or something that hints at a shared joke from Christmas lunches past are all good directions.

If your family struggles every year with people buying duplicate gifts or missing the mark completely, encourage everyone to create your free wishlist before the swap starts. It takes the guesswork out completely and means nobody ends up with three scented candles and a gift card to a shop that closed down years ago.

Once you've sorted the gift, the wrapping and the reveal are the easy part. If you want more ideas beyond Kris Kringle season, our more gift guides cover birthdays, housewarmings and just about every other occasion you'll need a present for this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions answered

Most of Australia calls it Kris Kringle, though Secret Santa is also understood and used interchangeably. Both describe the same thing: everyone draws a name and buys one gift for that person, usually within an agreed budget.

A safe gift is useful, a bit fun, and not too personal. Chocolate, candles, socks, mugs, small games and gift cards are reliable choices because they suit almost anyone and don't require knowing someone's exact taste or size.

Most Australian Kris Kringles set a budget between A$10 and A$30, agreed by the group ahead of time. Sticking to the agreed amount matters more than the actual figure, since it keeps things fair and stops anyone feeling like they've over or under-done it.

Play it safe and go generic rather than personal. Items like chocolate, candles, stationery or a gift card work for almost anyone, and they're a far better bet than a themed gift based on a guess about their interests. Grab your budget, pick something from the list above, and get your Kris Kringle sorted before the last-minute panic sets in.

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