Julklapp gift ideas: Creative suggestions for a successful surprise

Julklapp is Swedish for "Christmas gift"; it is made up of "jul," meaning Christmas, and "klappa," meaning to knock, and is a tradition known in northern Germany and Scandinavia that in Germany is primarily referred to as a gift exchange. 
The gift exchange is a cherished tradition that brings lots of joy, especially during Advent. Whether at the office, among friends, in the family, or at school - people of all ages enjoy the gift exchange. But the big question comes up again every year: What do you actually give for a gift exchange? In this article, we have put together ideas for gifts that are sure to go down well!

The gift-giving tradition: What is the essence of the gift exchange?

The tradition of gift-giving goes back to the Nordic elf, a legendary figure who secretly does good deeds. Originally, the tradition involved secretly giving gifts. Nowadays, the gift exchange usually takes place during a Christmas party. The material value of the gifts generally plays a secondary role; originality and fun are the focus. The tradition is intended to strengthen the sense of community, as each participant gives and receives a gift.

How does the gift exchange work?

What makes the gift exchange special is that the recipient is usually determined by drawing lots. The basic idea is that everyone buys a gift and receives one in return. The element of surprise is central: not only the gift, but often the giver as well remains unknown until the end. There is usually a predetermined budget, which for a gift exchange is often between 5 and 10 euros. If the exchange takes place within the family, the budget can also be higher. Originality and creativity are called for here - a gift that gets a laugh or is perfectly suited to the recipient is sure to be a success.

Creative gift exchanges and variations

There are many creative ways to make the gift exchange more exciting. Here are some variations that make giving gifts even more thrilling:

Dice gift exchange

In the dice gift exchange, all the gifts are placed in a sack or on a table. Each participant rolls the die - whoever rolls a six may unwrap a gift. The excitement builds when the gifts are then passed around through further dice rolls.

Trash gift exchange

In junk Secret Santa exchanges, unwanted or quirky household items are given as gifts. The focus here is on fun, as the value of the gifts is secondary. The more peculiar the gift, the greater the delight.

Letter-based Secret Santa

In letter-based Secret Santa exchanges, the gifts must begin with a specific letter. This encourages plenty of creativity when choosing gifts and guarantees unusual presents.

Secret Santa ideas by budget

For Secret Santa exchanges, the permitted gift budget is usually agreed in advance. Depending on the setting, Secret Santa gifts may be small items costing around €5 or €10, while sometimes a budget of €20 is specified. We’ve put together a few Secret Santa ideas for every budget. Get inspired!

Secret Santa gifts for 5 euros

Even with a small budget, you can find unusual Secret Santa gifts. Here is a small selection of Secret Santa gifts that cost less than €5.

1. Festive Sparkler by Wondercandle Ordinary sparklers are a thing of the past - This beautiful star-shaped sparkler adds a very special glow to the Christmas season and makes a lovely little Secret Santa gift.
2. Little Wish Fulfiller by Die Stadtgärtner Give your Secret Santa partner a wish in a jar with this wish fulfiller. The real dandelion parachute, hand-picked from meadows in northern Germany, makes this a very special little gift.
3. Really Great Hand Cream by Jean&Len Especially during the colder months, a really great hand cream comes in handy. This vegan hand cream by Jean&Len has a wonderfully spicy, fresh rosemary and ginger fragrance. Thanks to 5% urea, it nourishes the hands and leaves them feeling velvety soft. A really great Secret Santa gift.
4. Tassel Bracelet This handmade bracelet made of fine wooden beads is timelessly elegant and a lovely Secret Santa gift idea for under €5. The bracelet is strung on a flexible elastic band that gently hugs the wrist and offers excellent wearing comfort.
5. Magnetic Christmas Owl by Ligarti Whether on the fridge or on the office noticeboard, this magnet keeps notes, holiday photos, or the shopping list in place and is an artistic little Secret Santa gift that is an absolute eye-catcher even without a note.

Secret Santa gifts for 10 euros

The budget for your Secret Santa gift is €10, and you’re looking for the perfect present? Here are a few ideas that are sure to make you look good as a Secret Santa:

1. Christmas pickle tree ornament by Inge Glas Do you know the Christmas pickle tradition? It originally comes from Thuringia, but today it is especially popular in America. The pickle is hung somewhat hidden among the branches of the Christmas tree and blends in very well because of its color. Whoever spots the pickle first gets an extra gift or may begin unwrapping the presents. A Secret Santa gift that is sure to be fun!
2. Sun catcher by KUKKApunkt This handmade sun catcher is rightly one of our absolute bestsellers and a special Secret Santa gift idea. The crystal on the sun catcher catches the sunlight and makes it sparkle beautifully around the room.
3. Wish-cracker snap pops These snap pops are a Secret Santa gift idea for under €10 that really makes a bang. Beautifully packaged, they create exciting adventures and spread joy. Each Wish Cracker also holds the magic to grant a wish - just like a hardworking elf.
4. Vegetable seeds by Magic Garden Seeds Do you know that your Secret Santa partner enjoys gardening? Then give them this great set of 12 open-pollinated vegetable varieties as a Secret Santa gift. The seeds were specially selected so that something can be grown and harvested all year round. The varieties grow in the garden, in a raised bed, or in large pots on the balcony.
5. Gingerbread tree growing kit in a mug by Die Stadtgärtner This beautiful growing kit for a gingerbread tree is definitely a unique Secret Santa gift idea. The kit contains everything needed to grow a gingerbread tree. The name of this tree, which originally comes from Japan, says it all: it smells wonderfully of cinnamon and gingerbread.
6. Linen hand warmer cushion by Nadelspitze This linen hand warmer cushion makes a great Secret Santa gift for keeping hands warm! The hand warmer is filled with small grape seeds. Simply place it in the microwave for a short time, put it in your jacket pocket, and warm hands are guaranteed during winter walks. Best of all: this handmade Secret Santa gift also costs less than €10!

Secret Santa gifts for €20

Do you have a little more budget for your Secret Santa gift and are looking for Secret Santa gifts costing up to €20? Here are a few ideas for you:

1. Lavender sleep mask by Nadelspitze This sleep mask was sewn by hand from beautiful, comfortable linen fabric in our hometown of Nordhorn. Filled with lavender, it releases a pleasant fragrance and makes a special Secret Santa gift.
2. Greendoor Mini Massage Oils The Mini Massage Oils are a wonderful Secret Santa gift for under €20 that will delight any massage fan. The seven natural massage oils are made from high-quality plant oils and were developed together with physiotherapists and athletes.
3. Niendorf’s Lion’s Sleep by Löwenmanufactur This wonderfully fragrant oil from Lübeck’s Löwenmanufactur will help your Secret Santa recipient relax. With its valuable blend of lavender, sandalwood, neroli and Roman chamomile, the oil can help you unwind in the evening and wake up refreshed.
4. Bee Swarm Socks by Ligarti Socks are always a good choice, including as a Secret Santa gift. And when they’re as beautiful as these Bee Swarm socks from Ligarti, you’re sure to create a joyful surprise when the gifts are unwrapped.
5. Golden Spa Massage Candle by Greendoor A candle and massage oil in one, this wonderful massage candle from Greendoor smells, as its name suggests, wonderfully like a relaxing spa experience. After 10 to 15 minutes of anticipation, enough wax has melted for a massage - the formula ensures that the massage oil does not solidify on the skin and is absorbed during the massage.

Tips for a successful Secret Santa

To make Secret Santa a complete success, we have three additional tips for you:

1. Get the Secret Santa gift in good time so you don’t end up stressed.
2. Make sure to tailor the gift to the recipient’s preferences.
3. Always remember: Fun and surprise are the main focus of Secret Santa.

Conclusion: Finding the perfect Secret Santa gift

Finding the right Secret Santa gift is often not easy, but with a little creativity and the right instinct, you’re sure to find something the recipient will love. Whether you choose a funny, original or practical gift, the fun is always the main focus. We hope our ideas will inspire you and that your gift will create a delightful surprise.

Have fun with Secret Santa and gift-giving!

What our customers say

Anette(03.09.2024)

Fast, problem-free delivery. Christmas gifts without chocolate. My colleagues will be delighted, and I’m treating myself to one too.

Nina(27.03.2023) - (Etsy)

Very good!! Excellent quality and very diverse. The calendar was a gift and was very well received. I’d be happy to buy one again next year.

Janina(27.12.2022)

A dandelion to give as a gift. I used it for Christmas, and it more than fulfilled its purpose. For me, this was the nicest thing I could give away this year. At only €9.95, it was, as I said, truly the highlight of the evening. I love it, and so does the person who now owns it.

Claudia(19.12.2023)

The question is: Will my husband get both the 4-compartment one _and_ the 6-compartment one for Christmas? Or which one should I keep for myself? My daughter saw them and wants one too... And the fact that such "old crates" were packaged so carefully and lovingly, making opening the packages a delight - thank you, urban gardeners!

Tonke(11.10.2023) - (Etsy)

Wow! The box is large! (45 x 38.5 x 13.5 cm) And it has 24 openings on all sides. :) (You can see some of this in the pictures, but I hadn't noticed it.) It really looks good, professional, and well-kept. I am more than 100% sure that the contents will be as good as the appearance. It is a gift for my mother, who lives in the countryside with a large garden and squirrels visiting and so on. She will love it.

Beate(9.12.2022)

I gave these wish fulfillers to my team as a little Christmas surprise. The dandelion was very well received. I also think the price-performance ratio is good. Anyone with bigger wishes should take the whole dandelion. It is also beautiful.

Luise(15.12.2022)

I gave the birdseed balls as a small Christmas gift. The packaging alone seems to contain so much attention to detail. The shop has many more beautiful and creative things to discover. I will definitely order here again at the next opportunity, to give away more products or perhaps try some myself. I highly recommend it! :-)

Teresa(15.12.2023)

Beautiful and original Christmas cards, super-fast shipping, thank you very much!

Fleur(05.12.2019)

I ordered the seed bombs as Christmas gifts for friends and family. They were delivered quickly and lovingly packaged. Thank you for that. The instructions are also great. Witty writing and beautifully designed. I hung them on the packages with ribbon, and with a few star stickers they became the perfect, original Secret Santa gift. Whether it will soon become more colorful and green here will become clear in spring.