What's a normal Secret Santa budget in the UK?
Most UK Secret Santa groups set a limit of £10, but the average person actually spends £21–£24 on a Secret Santa gift. A £10 limit suits office groups; £15–£20 suits friends and family groups.
How much do people in the UK spend on Secret Santa?
UK adults spend between £21 and £24 on Secret Santa gifts on average, according to two 2025 surveys. Confused.com put the average at about £21 a year, and a ComRes poll for the charity Turn2us put it at £23.62.
| Source | Year | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Confused.com | 2025 | Average spend about £21; people overspend their budget by £14 on average |
| ComRes for Turn2us | 2025 | Average spend £23.62; men spend about £40, women about £13 |
| Instantprint | 2024 | 48% spend £5–£10; most people say £10 is the right limit |
These surveys come from companies and charities, not official statistics, so treat the figures as a guide rather than a rule.
What is the most common Secret Santa limit?
£10 is the most common Secret Santa limit in the UK. In Instantprint’s 2024 survey, most respondents said £10 was the right amount, and 48% spent between £5 and £10.
How do you choose the right Secret Santa budget?
Choose the budget by who is in the group. The less well people know each other, the lower the limit should be.
| Group | Suggested limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Office or large team | £5–£10 | Fair for everyone, including part-time staff and people on lower pay |
| Friends | £15–£20 | Close to what people actually spend, so nobody feels short-changed |
| Family | £20–£30 | Fewer people, and gifts can be more personal |
Why do people go over the Secret Santa budget?
People go over because a small budget feels hard to spend well. Free Now research suggests close to two-thirds of UK participants exceed the agreed limit.
Three rules keep the limit fair:
- Say whether the limit is a maximum or a target. A maximum works better.
- Say whether delivery costs count. Most groups leave them out.
- Give a theme (for example “something for your desk” or “something cosy”). A theme makes a small budget easier to spend.
What can you buy for £10–£15?
A personalised or themed mug is one of the easiest Secret Santa gifts at £10–£15. It works for almost anyone, it’s useful, and it doesn’t need sizes.
ChopOnline makes printed mugs with free UK delivery, including the Tea-is the Season robin mug (£14.99) for tea lovers. (ChopOnline is the author of this guide and sells these mugs.)
Frequently asked questions
Is £10 too little for Secret Santa?
No. £10 is the most common Secret Santa limit in UK surveys, and nearly half of people spend between £5 and £10. It works best for office groups where people don't know each other well.
Is £20 too much for Secret Santa?
£20 is close to what UK adults actually spend on average (about £21–£24 in 2025 surveys). It suits friends and family groups better than offices, where a lower limit keeps it fair for everyone.
Does postage count towards the Secret Santa budget?
Usually not. Most groups count only the price of the gift. Agree this upfront, or choose gifts with free UK delivery so the question never comes up.
Should the Secret Santa limit be a maximum or a target?
Treat it as a maximum. Surveys suggest around two-thirds of people go over their agreed limit, which defeats the point of having one.