Last-Minute Secret Santa Wish List Ideas That Still Impress

Coming up with gift ideas on the fly is quite the adrenaline rush, especially as the holiday season approaches. That said, there are numerous last-minute Secret Santa wish list ideas that would delight any recipient.  What is the Idea Behind Secret Santa? A Secret Santa is a Christmas tradition where a group exchanges Christmas presents anonymously. People will typically write down everyone’s names on separate pieces of paper and draw lots. Whoever’s name you pick, you must get them a gift within an agreed-upon budget. All presents are laid out in a pile and distributed during a party. There have been many variations of this game, with some people providing a wish list with their name or bringing a general gift without a random draw. However, what makes Secret Santa appealing is having to guess who gave you the gift. It’s typically revealed at the end of the party, but the anticipation and excitement are unmatched. Being the gift-giver is also a joy in itself, as the possibilities are endless. Some people go down the DIY route— you could create a decorative jar or make your body butter. About 39% of people would love to receive cash they can use however they want. However, if you want a meaningful, last-minute gift, you may want to pick up something online.  Best Ideas for Secret Santa Wish List The secret to giving a good present is to pick out what the other person would enjoy and use. Play “Twelve Days of Christmas” and browse these 12 brilliant Secret Santa wish list ideas.  1. Stanley Quencher H2.0 Whether your recipient loves iced tea or coffee, the Stanley Quencher H2.0 will certainly bring holiday cheer. It’s a stainless steel vacuum-insulated tumbler that can keep your drink hot or cold for hours. The FlowState lid lets you drink from the store or take a sip. The 40-ounce capacity is the cherry on top too.  $45 on Amazon 2. Anker 313 Wireless Charging Stand The Anker 313 Wireless Charging Stand is a genius idea for a Secret Santa wish list. After all, who wouldn’t want to charge their phone while watching videos or taking camera calls? It even offers high-speed charging for numerous Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models. Your recipient can keep this on their nightstand and quickly get their device's full battery life.  $15.98 on Amazon 3. Wordsworth and Black Fountain Pen Set If your recipient is an absolute writing enthusiast, they will likely love having their own premium fountain pen. The Wordsworth and Black Fountain Pen Set is a great find, as it’s handcrafted with bamboo wood. It comes with six ink cartridges and an ink refill converter, allowing your recipient to do as much calligraphy as they please.  $37.95 on Amazon 4. Leuchtturm 1917 Medium A5 Plain Hardcover Notebook Another journaling tool that any Secret Santa can give is a Leuchtturm1917 notebook. Many variations exist, but a Medium A5 and Hardcover provide so much potential, from a sketchbook to a diary. The quality stationery paper handles any kind of ink without bleeding, and there are multiple design features, like the gusseted pocket and perforated sheets.  $28.95 on Amazon 5. Urban Accents Movie Night Popcorn Set Got a film enthusiast from the draw lots? Urban Accents Movie Night Popcorn Set is a lovely collection of non-GMO kernels and premium seasonings. From Buttery Caramel Corn to Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn to Spicy Chili Lime, there are adventurous options for whatever genre they decide to indulge in when opening this present.  $22 on Amazon 6. Cooking Gift Set Co. Mulled Wine Gift Set You could get wine lovers a bottle or two during this holiday season. The Cooking Gift Set Co. Cocktail Gift Set is a wonderfully unique option. It includes a set of spices, a mesh infuser, a mulling ladle and instructions on how to make your own mulled wine. It would go well with some cranberry brie bites or a bowl of trail mix.  $44.99 on Amazon 7. Pop Mart Blind Boxes With the rise of dopamine decor, cute displays have been everywhere. You can give your recipient a Popmart Blind Box toy to add to their collection. There are plenty of series and designs to choose from that match their aesthetic. The excitement of opening up a blind bag is also a wonderful experience in itself.  $15.99 on Amazon 8. Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep. The Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is a wonderful Secret Santa present for those who need it. The cross-cut memory foam makes the pillow so comfortable after a long day. It’s also available in a queen or king size, so you get plenty of surface area.  $75 on Amazon 9. Edifier W830NB Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Many people would love to get premium headsets for an incredible audio experience. The Edifier W830NB Wireless Over-Ear Headphones deliver with their active noise cancellation, high-resolution sound, and spatial audio. They offer multipoint connections, including Bluetooth.  $79.99 on Amazon 10. Lego Icons Succulents Artificial Plant Set Legos are always a great gift that makes everyone’s inner child happier. The Succulents Artificial Plant Set is perfect for creating nine different decorative plants. You can display them all together in one area or present them individually.  $39.99 on Amazon 11. Marc Jacobs 4-Piece Mini Gift Set The Marc Jacobs mini travel perfume set is a beautiful present. It features the Daisy, Perfect, Eau So Fresh, and Love variants in a compact and cute size. The bottles themselves are perfect for beautifying any vanity table, and the quality of the fragrance is even better.  $48.92 on Amazon 12. Burt's Bees 12 Days of Joy The Burt's Bees 12 Days of Joy Lip Balm Advent Calendar Gift Set is a fun present that lets your recipient count down the days till Christmas. They can open one new lip balm a day and discover various flavors, like mint cocoa and salted caramel.  $23.63 on Amazon Get Your Gifts Ready Pick any of the Secret Santa wish list ideas above and put a smile on your recipient’s face this holiday season. You can order wrapping paper and ribbons to neatly package and decorate your chosen items.

With the holidays coming, it’s time to prepare your shopping list. Getting what your friends and family want can be challenging, so giving yourself time is wise. What should you get for your husband, father or brother? Here’s a guide on Christmas stocking stuffers for him.   How to Know What He Wants for Christmas Getting men to say what they want for Christmas can be difficult. When you ask your father or son, they may crack a joke and ask for a Ferrari or something else. Research shows 11% of consumers don’t want anything, so pulling the correct answer might seem like an uphill climb. In these situations, lean into their interests.  Listen to the men in your life year-round, especially when it gets close to the holidays. They may drop hints as to what they want and need in their life. Ultimately, it’s about finding what will make his life better. Does he need something to help with yard work or sleeping? The best gifts may be easier to find than you think.  Best Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Him When he wakes up on Christmas morning, he’ll be happy to see a stocking full of his favorite gifts. Make him feel like a kid again with these 12 presents.  1. Leatherman Wingman Multitool Get it on Amazon for $55.96 Multitools help when you’re in a pinch. What if you had 14 capabilities in one pocket knife? The Leatherman Wingman Multitool is compact, lightweight and easy for him to carry anywhere. Packages, food cans and ropes are no match for this gadget! With stainless steel, you know it’s a quality product.  2. TRENDOUX Winter Gloves for Men Get it on Amazon for $7.99 When the weather gets cold, there’s still work to do outside. How can you keep your hands warm while using your phone to communicate? TRENDOUX’s winter gloves are excellent Christmas stocking stuffers for him and all his touchscreen devices. The conductive material and anti-slip silicone make texting easier.  3. Alpha Grillers Instant Read Meat Thermometer Get it on Amazon for $15.98 If he wants more protein in his diet, he may throw some extra protein on the grill or stovetop. Get him an instant-read meat thermometer to help him eat dinner safely. With this Alpha Grillers device, you can see the internal temperature in just seconds. Plus, the bright light makes outdoor night cooking easier.  4. Tough Outdoors Cooling Towels Get it on Amazon for $8.95 The winter blues may make him itch to do yard work outside. Ensure he’s ready for the warmer spring temperatures by getting him Tough Outdoors Cooling Towels. Soak them in water and wrap them around your neck for a much more comfortable outdoor experience. With UPF 50, you get better sun protection.  5. Dr. Squatch Men's Natural Bar Soap Get it on Amazon for $24 Men can be particular about their smells, so Dr. Squatch’s bar soaps could be fitting Christmas stocking stuffers for him. Each bar contains up to 100% natural ingredients that are better for your skin. Alaskan glacier, wood barrel bourbon and birch bark highlight the fragrances in these soaps.  6. Versace Pour Homme Get it on Amazon for $9.46 When you think of luxury, it’s hard to beat Versace. Pour Homme is one of the luxury brand’s signature scents and is terrific for date nights and other outings. With a small bottle, this cologne is easy to fit in Christmas stockings and inside his travel bags. Where will he take his fragrances? 7. Eoehro Passport Holder Get it on Amazon for $7.99 When traveling internationally, there are two rules you must follow: bring $100 in emergency cash and a passport cover. You can’t afford to lose the latter, so get the Eoehro Passport Holder for safekeeping. With RFID-blocking technology, you can travel with more peace of mind.  8. ROSELLE Watch Roll Travel Case Get it on Amazon for $26.99 Boarding a flight involves trusting your luggage with an airline company. While these professionals care for bags, accidents can happen. Help him protect his watches with a roll travel case. This gift comes with two slots to protect valuable watches when you travel. Plus, the leather and suede are soft and comfortable.  9. INIU Portable Charger Get it on Amazon for $29.99 Regardless of where he goes, he could use a portable phone charger. Modern smartphones have improved their battery capabilities, but it’s hard to tell the next time you’ll get to an outlet. The INIU Portable Charger provides Androids, iPhones and Google phones with 22.5W of power delivery.  10. TOZO A1 Mini Wireless Earbuds Get it on Amazon for $19.99 Research shows music choice affects workouts, so what does he listen to? Make his exercise sessions better with a pair of mini earbuds. These tiny gadgets fit seamlessly into your ear and are comfortable to wear over long periods. While small, the 6mm-diameter speaker provides an excellent sound range and bass.  11. TOLOCO Massage Gun Get it on Amazon for $49.99 After any physical activity, you want to get home and relax. The TOLOCO Massage Gun is among the best Christmas stocking stuffers for him because of its deep tissue penetration. Its speeds go up to 3200 rpm, thus effectively reducing fatigue and pain. With 10 replaceable heads, you can enjoy it for a long time.  12. Suavecito Pomade Get it on Amazon for $14.99 Hair is vital to a guy’s look, so make it stylish with Suavecito Pomade. This water-based product keeps your hair intact however you need it to be, and it smells great. When your body looks and smells great, you have more confidence on the streets. Plus, the pomade easily washes out with water when you’re done.  Finding the Best Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Him Waking up to breakfast and gifts on December 25th makes the day magical. How can you make his holiday even more special? Curate the best Christmas stocking stuffers for him and fill the sock full! When shopping, prioritize practical presents he can use heading into the new year. Each gadget and gizmo will make him ready to take on the world.  Share on X if you found this post helpful! 

The holiday season is all about spreading love and joy, and what better way to do so than with a thoughtfully curated burr basket for Christmas? These winter-themed baskets are a creative and affordable twist on traditional holiday gifts, perfect for showing your friends how much you care. The best part is that you don’t have to break the bank to make them special. What is a Burr Basket? A burr basket is the Christmas take on the Halloween boo basket, or the winter version of an Easter basket. It’s a festive way to surprise friends, family, your significant other or neighbors with a basket full of holiday goodies.  The name “burr” reflects the chilly winter season, capturing the cozy and cheerful vibe of giving during the holidays. Typically, a burr basket is filled with items like hot cocoa sachets, a fuzzy blanket, comfy socks, holiday candles or sweet treats — all things that bring warmth and joy during the colder months. This thoughtful tradition has taken over TikTok and is about spreading seasonal cheer and showing appreciation. Similar to a Christmas stocking, it’s a versatile and creative way to give back to those you love and celebrate the spirit of giving. Who Should You Give a Burr Basket to for Christmas? Burr baskets are perfect for just about anyone on your holiday list especially if you want to spread festive cheer in a thoughtful and budget-friendly way. They’re great for neighbors, adding a personal touch to your community connections. Teachers, coworkers or your child’s sports coach are also excellent recipients — they’ll appreciate the effort and seasonal gesture without the pressure of an extravagant gift.  You can also personalize burr baskets for friends and family to make them extra special. For example, fill a basket with gourmet coffee and cozy accessories for your coffee-loving bestie or include winter-themed toys and treats for a young niece or nephew. Even acquaintances you want to acknowledge would appreciate the warmth and thoughtfulness of a burr basket. 8 Burr Basket Ideas Creating a burr basket is all about combining festive items that bring warmth and joy during the holiday season. The best part is that you can customize it based on the recipient’s preferences, ensuring a thoughtful and personal gift. Here are some burr basket ideas to inspire your holiday crafting.  1. A Fuzzy Blanket A small, soft throw blanket in a festive pattern or color is perfect for chilly winter nights. Roll it up and tie it with a ribbon for a cozy touch. Get a reindeer blanket from Amazon for $24.99 Get a snowman blanket from Amazon for $25.99 2. A Christmas-Themed Candle Choose a candle with a holiday-inspired scent like pine, cinnamon, sugar cookies or gingerbread to bring a warm and festive aroma to their home. You could even choose a set of mini candles so they can choose their favorite. Get a set of four from Amazon for $27.99 3. Hot Cocoa Kit Perfect for chocolate lovers, it’s the ultimate winter comfort gift. Include a festive mug paired with packets of hot cocoa mix, mini marshmallows and a candy cane for stirring. Get a set of two holiday mugs from Amazon for $24.99 Get a hot cocoa kit from Amazon for $17.99 4. Holiday Socks or Slippers This burr basket idea is fantastic for anyone on your Christmas gift list. Add a pair of fuzzy socks or cozy slippers with holiday designs like snowflakes or reindeer. Perfect for lounging by the fire with a Christmas movie. Get Christmas socks from Amazon for $6.99  Get festive slippers from Amazon for $22.99 5. Homemade Sweet Treats Adding homemade sweet treats is a budget-friendly burr basket idea. These goodies show extra care and there are plenty of different sweets to make.  Oreo cookie balls: Why not turn your favorite cookie into a cute Santa hat? These no-bake treats are a simple to make and affordable addition to any burr basket. Peppermint bark: Made with layers of melted chocolate and crushed candy canes, this festive treat is quick to prepare and looks beautiful wrapped in cellophane bags or small tins. Homemade fudge: Whip up a batch of chocolate or peanut butter fudge using just a handful of ingredients like condensed milk, chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cut it into bite-sized squares for easy gifting. Sugar cookies: Bake classic sugar cookies and decorate them with colorful icing and sprinkles. You can even use cookie cutters to create holiday shapes like trees and snowmen. Some premixes make up to 12 large cookies, the perfect amount for your friend and their family. Rice Krispie treats: Give this simple favorite a festive twist by mixing in red and green sprinkles or drizzling white chocolate on top. They’re easy to make in large batches and always a hit. Candied nuts: Coat almonds, pecans or walnuts in a cinnamon sugar glaze and bake until crunchy. Pack them in small jars or bags for a delicious and elegant addition. Get bulk sugar cookie mix from Amazon for $22.95 Get mixed nuts from Amazon for $16.41 Get a box of 260 mini candy canes from Amazon for $12.99 6. A Mini Christmas Tree or Ornament A tiny tabletop tree of a unique holiday ornament is something they can enjoy right away. This is perfect for someone who loves getting into the holiday spirit.  Get a mini Christmas tree from Amazon for $29.99 Get a handcrafted ornament from Amazon for $8.97 7. Seasonal Self-Care Items Include a peppermint-scented lotion, a festive bath bomb, essential oil or even a lip balm in winter flavors like vanilla or cranberry. Get creative and budget-friendly and make your own bath bombs at home with staple ingredients like cornflour, bicarb, oil and food coloring.  Get festive lip balm from Amazon for $10.67 Get winter essential oils from Amazon for $16.95 8. A Holiday Puzzle or Game For some interactive fun, add a Christmas-themed jigsaw puzzle, crossword book or card game. These are great for cozying up indoors on a snowy evening. Get a jigsaw puzzle from Amazon for $16.99 Get a card game from Amazon for $9.99 Spread the Holiday Cheer Creating a burr basket for Christmas is a heartfelt way to spread holiday cheer without overspending. By combining budget-friendly finds, homemade goodies and personalized touches, you can craft something meaningful and memorable. These burr basket ideas are the perfect way to capture the magic of the holidays and show your loved ones appreciation. Share this article on Facebook or X if you plan to surprise someone with a burr basket for Christmas this year!

Depression affects millions of people worldwide. The incidence soars during winter when the days are shorter, resulting in seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression. Learn more about SAD, who are at risk of it and the various treatment methods to mitigate the symptoms.  Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder If you live in lower latitudes or tropical locations, you've probably heard of SAD but aren't so concerned about it. This makes sense because SAD affects more people living farther north and in higher altitudes. More succinctly, it's common in countries far from the equator, where daylight hours become shorter as the end of the year approaches. What Causes SAD? SAD is a type of depression associated with the change in season, occurring more prevalently during colder months. SAD often strikes in winter, but some people can experience it in summer. The high humidity and heat during hot temperatures drive people indoors most of the time, contributing to mood changes and depressive symptoms. Between the two, winter-pattern SAD is more common. You'll hear others often complain about winter blues. It describes the extreme sadness and emptiness people feel during wintertime. Studies have shown that winter-pattern SAD occurs because of reduced levels of serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood. Experts believe the lack of access to natural light during winter due to longer nights and shorter days results in the dysfunction of molecules controlling normal serotonin volumes. This anomaly leads to hormone imbalance and SAD diagnosis.  The lack of vitamin D — which production is activated by sun exposure — also contributes to this seasonal disorder. Symptoms  The common symptoms of SAD include the following: Excessive sadness of persistent empty feeling Hopelessness and pessimism Irritability and frustration Trouble sleeping Loss of interest in hobbies Reduced energy and fatigue Trouble concentrating Headaches, digestive problems and cramps Suicide ideation and attempts The signs start to manifest in the late fall or early winter but disappear during spring and summer.  The swing to the colder months is a precursor of SAD. Women, people with existing mental health illnesses and those with family history of psychological disorders are at a higher risk of experiencing this problem. Traditional Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder Fortunately, you can manage SAD with conventional treatment methods. Here are common interventions. Light Therapy This treatment uses a light box emitting 20 times brighter illumination than the indoor bulbs in your home to mimic the feel of natural sunlight. You'll have to sit in front of the light box in the morning for 30-45 minutes to get treated. This exposure can help compensate for the reduced daylight access during darker months, helping regulate the hormones. It helps ease SAD symptoms and is considerably a more effective intervention than other control therapies. Psychotherapy Mental health illnesses are linked with thought patterns, and these are what you'll work on during counseling. A therapist will help you excavate negative ways of thinking and replace them with positive ones to improve depressive symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that teaches one to challenge and change their unhelpful behaviors and thoughts. Antidepressants Medications offer the most convenient remedy for SAD, although you’ll have to factor in the side effects. Your doctor may prescribe this remedy in combination with another therapy for a faster recovery. It often takes 4-8 weeks for antidepressants to work and ease the symptoms. You’ll feel so much better once the effects kick in. They can also prevent recurring SAD.  Vitamin D Supplements Vitamin D deficiency is a common symptom among SAD patients because the skin is deprived of sunlight-induced vitamin D. Supplementation may help normalize levels in the body. Often, this nutritional approach is an adjunct to other therapies, like phototherapy and medications, to improve the efficacy of the overall treatment. Alternative and Complementary Treatments Secondary approaches to treating SAD promote holistic health. Here are other interventions to kick the blues away during winter. Exercise Physical activities have long been known as a natural remedy for depression and other mental health conditions.  A study of 370 participants revealed that engaging in high-intensity physical exercise made them less sensitive to the effects of the changing season. Alternatively, those highly susceptible to the impact of darker months had lower psychological well-being. Going out for a run puts you in a better mood, which may help strengthen your defense against SAD.  Mindfulness and Stress Management Strategies Activities combining movement, meditation and stress reduction, like yoga and tai chi, can boost your coping skills when the season shifts. Additionally, they make you feel relaxed and reduce feelings of distress. Adequate Sleep People with SAD experience delayed sleep timing and hypersomnolence, which is excessive daytime sleepiness. This problem happens when the circadian rhythm dysfunctions because of the low natural light levels in winter. The internal clock synchronizes with sunlight, which is used as a cue to determine day and night and regulate sleep. Rest patterns sometimes get disrupted due to the decreased daylight hours during colder months.  Talk to your doctor about restoring your usual sleep pattern. Since SAD affects each person differently, the best approach is to get personal advice.  Other Lifestyle Habits The habits you engage in during winter are critical to your overall well-being. Practice self-care by eating healthy foods, getting enough rest, taking vitamins and increasing exposure to natural light using alternative methods. Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder During Darker Months Some people temporarily relocate to warmer locations to escape winter. Do the same if it’s an option for you. Otherwise, the best remedy is to take better care of yourself by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Eat nutritious foods, lace up your shoes and go for a run, get sufficient sleep and adopt strategies to reduce stress. If you're at an elevated risk, consult your doctor about treatments. SAD affects many people, so there's no shame in talking about it with your primary care physician and loved one. It's highly treatable with various methods.

Almost everyone looks forward to the first snowfall of the year. It’s exciting to wake up to a winter wonderland, especially when it’s enough snow to go sledding or get the day off of school. At the same time, you trade warm weather for freezing temperatures, which can affect your skin. Have you ever noticed that when winter arrives, your skin starts itching? It may turn red and dry, which isn’t uncommon. Dry winter weather can cause epidermal irritations that stick around long into the spring. You don’t have to spend this year with uncomfortable, inflamed skin. Read about how to take care of that dry skin in the winter so you can enjoy the holidays and outdoor activities with the rest of your friends and family. 1. Buy a Humidifier Cold air naturally doesn’t hold onto moisture like warm air. That’s why people closer to the equator experience more humidity than those in northern climates. Your skin could become irritated because the air is dry, so buy a humidifier for your house. A humidifier will replace lost moisture in your home to soothe your skin. As it naturally moisturizes, it will reduce your natural oil production so you don’t have to deal with an oily shine in addition to dry skin.  2. Switch Your Soaps Think about what soap you use to wash your hands. Is it meant as hand soap or is it something stronger, like dish soap? Some soaps contain ingredients made for stripping dishes of dried grease and oil. They’ll do the same to your hands because they dry out the encrusted food so it’s easy to scrub off. Switch your soaps to products labeled as moisturizing or gentle on sensitive skin. You should feel an immediate difference the next time you wash your hands. Even if you work in a position that requires constant handwashing, the right soap could make all the difference. 3. Avoid Alcohol Products Some of your skincare products could make your dryness issues worse in the winter. Alcohol is a common ingredient in those kinds of products because the type based in fat can be nourishing. Others like isopropyl and denatured alcohol dehydrate multiple layers of skin, especially in toners.  Look for alcohol-free products to see if your dry, irritated skin goes away. If you can’t find any, do your research to ensure that the ingredients are all skincare safe. 4. Use Eczema Cream Your dry skin may be an underlying condition known as eczema. It typically presents itself with red rashes in various spots on the body. These spots may itch or burn, especially after washing your hands or showering. The solution to your seasonal dry skin issues could be the active ingredient in eczema cream, which is known as hydrocortisone. It’s an anti-inflammatory, mild steroid that’s available over the counter. Look for this ingredient in soothing lotions and use it after you wash your hands for immediate relief. 5. Limit Your Shower Time You may enjoy a hot relaxing shower, but it could leave you with drier skin than you had before you turned on the water. That’s because hot water dries out your skin, especially if you expose your body to it for extended periods. Limit your shower time to no longer than ten minutes if you want to use hot water or set the water to a lukewarm temperature and take your time. Learn How to Take Care of Dry Skin in Winter It’s hard to immediately know the right solution for your dry skin by reading about possible solutions. Explore all your options by trying them out individually. You may find that a humidifier solves the problem or an eczema lotion. Take your time and you’ll find the best way to cure your dry skin and enjoy a warm, comfortable winter. Updated on May 3, 2024