Is your company organising a secret santa gift exchange for this year’s Christmas party? If you’re still racking your brains on what to get, read on as we’ve cobbled together secret santa gift ideas for every type of colleague in Singapore this Christmas 2022 — with items you can get under $20 or $30! Here’s a tip: Do some ‘detective work’ and get to know your secret santee’s preferences beforehand so you can pick the right gift for him or her!
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Secret santa gift ideas under $30 for colleagues in Singapore
1. For the detailed planner
Is your santee an organised person who likes to write everything down? In that case, you won’t go wrong with a notebook for them to jot their ideas and notes! If you’re not sure what their design or colour preferences are, opt for neutral options like THEIMPRINT Personalised Saffiano Microfiber Leather Notebook (available on THEIMPRINT.sg). This chic notebook would definitely be a great secret santa gift under $30 for your colleagues! Available in atas colours like burgundy and stone blue, this notebook is sure to match any colleague’s aesthetic. Plus, it is hard bound with scratch resistant and lightweight leather! The best part? You can personalise this secret santa gift idea in Singapore with your santee’s name or initials to make it extra special!
2. For the colleague who gyms
If your secret santee is the colleague who always uses their lunch break to hit the gym, then these Sanctband Active Resistance Exercise Super Loop Bands (available on Sanctband) will make a great #fitspo secret santa gift idea! Resistance bands in Singapore can be used in the gym, at home or outdoors to tone and sculpt muscles. Your co-worker will also love the BlenderBottle Shaker Bottle (available on BlenderBottle Official Store), a practical gift under $30 that they can put to good use. This protein shaker bottle is a great tool to make protein shakes and keep your colleague on track with a nutritious gym diet!
3. For the aspiring Masterchef
Is your santee a culinary whiz who’s always whipping up delicious meals? One of the best secret santa gift ideas under $30 for aspiring chefs is this Retartu White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil (available on Shopee Supermarket) that they can use to elevate their dishes! For a more personalised touch, get them a Customised Wooden Chopping Board (available on RandomTastes (Teckwrap SG)) that allows you to carve their names on it! Made of ebony solid wood, this wooden chopping board is easy to maintain and extra durable.
4. For the new homeowner
Help your colleague who just collected keys to their new home spruce up their cribs this Christmas! The Homlly Retro Felt Changeable Letter Sign Board (available on Homlly) is a great secret santa gift idea in Singapore under $30 that would make for a versatile home decor that they can put to good use! This letter board comes with 340 symbols, including letters, emojis, and numbers, so they can let their creativity flow and come up with quirky quotes to put up. This would also come in handy if they’re hosting a Christmas gathering, or any special occasion. The Cody Personalised Cup (available on THEGREYSPACE.CO Official Store) is another great gift idea for colleagues that you can customise by adding your santee’s name!
5. For the home baker
Have you ever been blessed with delicious cupcakes and cookies that are handmade by your santee? If you think they have a knack for baking, fuel their hobby with some baking tools that they’ll love to add to their countertop! For a secret santa gift idea under $30 in Singapore, this Sencor Hand Blender Set (available on Sencor Shopee Official Store) is a tool that the baking queen will surely appreciate! This hand blender is well-designed with an ergonomic shaped handle, and comes with attachment release buttons to make their job much easier. This value for money set also includes a mixing container, chopper, and stainless steel whisk!
6. For the shutterbug
Don’t know much about your santee? One way to find out more about them is to stalk their social media accounts! If their Instagram feed is an aesthetic galore filled with artsy pics, you might just nail your secret santa gift with the Kodak M35 Refillable Film Camera (available on standardphoto_sg). The Kodak M35 is a gift under $30 in Singapore that sports a flash switch that enables it to work well both indoors and outdoors. It also boasts a fourth colour layering technology that allows it to produce natural looking photos!
7. For the colleague who meal preps
Is your santee someone who packs their own lunch to the office? Help them save the trip to the pantry with this Bear Electric Lunch Box (available on Bear Official Store) — a practical secret santa gift idea in Singapore under $30! Not only can this electric lunch box heat up food, it can even steam and stew food with the touch of a button — how convenient! This best lunch box in Singapore also has a capacity of 1.3L, which allows you to cook a meal for two. Your santee can even try out these easy electric lunch box recipes to experiment with new dishes!
8. For the colleague who loves cute things
@shopeesg Brb getting emotionally attached to my absolutely adorable unicorn thats keeping my tea warm ?? #shopeesghaul #coaster #unicorn
9. For the expectant mum
Safety always comes first when it comes to babies. That’s why this Baby Back And Head Protector Cushion (available on Beiens Baby Official Store) would be a great secret santa gift idea under $30 for new or expectant mums in Singapore! This quirky baby head protector will come in handy in keeping their precious bub safe with its supportive material and cushioning. This gift is also available in two adorable designs — you can choose between the lion or turtle option! Apart from keeping their baby away from harm, this head protector also makes for a great photo opportunity! For more ideas on what to gift your colleague who’s expecting, check out our list of baby shower gift ideas!
10. For the weekend adventurer
If your colleague is big on exhilarating rides and intense speed, one of the best secret santa gift ideas in Singapore for them this Christmas 2022 is a ticket to activities like the Singapore Skyline Luge and Skyride at Sentosa (available on DirectConnect Official Store). They will have a blast racing down the tracks and can also later explore other Sentosa activities with this gift under $30! Otherwise, gift them tickets to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay (available on 1travel.sg). They’ll be mesmerised by the lush greenery and beautiful flora and fauna in this horticulture attraction!
11. For the techy co-worker
One of the best secret santa gift ideas under $30 in Singapore that’s fit for the office tech geek is the Vention Magnetic Wireless Charger (available on Vention Official Store). Using wireless charging technology, this sleek wireless charger can power up most smartphones in a short amount of time! If your co-worker already owns a wireless charger, consider buying them the SMATRUL 16A UK Plug Tuya WiFi Socket Adaptor (available on SMATRUL Brand Official Store) then. This smart plug can be synced with a smartphone for customisable control. But that’s not all! This awesome Christmas gift for colleagues can even be synced with Google Nest for voice control capabilities.
12. For the new hire
The Christmas party is a good chance to bond with the newest member of the team. However, we won’t be surprised if you end up racking your brain for secret santa gift ideas as you guys may not know each other well. We suggest going for the Personalised Saffiano Leather ID Cardholder and Lanyard (available on THEIMPRINT.SG), a gift under $30 with his or her name embossed on it! With this lanyard, it’d be a breeze for him to introduce himself to everyone when you’re all back in office!
13. For the Marvel fan
If your colleague is a huge fan of Marvel movies and is a walking encyclopaedia on all things Marvel, it’d be a no-brainer that you should look out for Marvel merchandise. We wouldn’t have guessed that you’d be able to find Marvel gifts under $30 in Singapore! But you can! Add this Marvel Spider Man 6-Inch Mystery Gear Action Figure Toy (available on Hasbro Singapore Official Store) to their superhero figurine collection that they can proudly display at home or on their office desk.
14. For the coworker who’s always on the go
If your santee is someone who’s always out and about, a thermos water bottle would come in handy to keep them hydrated throughout the day! To make this gift even more special, customise it with your santee’s name with this Personalised Thermos Stainless Steel Water Bottle (available on POSELECTED Tea & Coffee Mug)! This personalised gift under $30 also sports an LED touch display that shows the temperature of the water, which is estimated to last at least five years!
15. For the colleague with a sweet tooth
A dose of chocolate never fails to brighten the mood. If your santee always has sweet cravings, get them the Hot Chocolate Mix Gift Box Set (available on WeCare Pack SG)! This gift box under $30 includes two sachets of hot chocolate mix that is perfect for the rainy Christmas season, and also offers a white cup that you can personalise with your santee’s name! You can also opt for the set that comes with an additional USB cup warmer that your santee can use during work to keep their drink hot!
16. For the AFOLs (Adult Fans Of Lego)
The best LEGO sets aren’t just for kids – many adults enjoy the process of building them and collecting swanky LEGO designs as well! If your santee is a fan of LEGO, you’re spoilt for choice with options to choose from for gifts under $30 in Singapore for your colleagues. For instance, motorheads will love the LEGO Speed Champions (available on Metro Official Store) or the LEGO Technic Motorcycle (available on Toy Station Official Store). Alternatively, get them this Building Block LEGO Flower (available on DearYoYo_SG) which can spruce up the colours in their room!
Secret Santa gift ideas under $20 for colleagues in Singapore
17. For the pantry raider
Did you know that healthy snacking may help boost productivity? This Christmas, pick some healthy but yummy snacks for the colleague who often sneaks off to munch on chips and sugary treats! The Amazin’ Graze Variety Box (available on Amazin’ Graze Official Store) is one of the perfect secret santa gift ideas in Singapore for those with a nutty addiction. Alternatively, let your secret santee indulge in the IRVINS Salted Egg Potato Chips or Black Summer Truffle Chips (available on Shopee Supermarket) to satisfy their savoury cravings!
18. For the creative powerhouse
We all have that one colleague who’s extremely artistic. One of the best gifts for colleagues with a creative flair is a set of Calligraphy Brush Pens (available on ARTBOX OFFICIAL STORE). These calligraphy brushes are even great for those new to calligraphy and will help in mastering that cursive font we all admire! Other secret santa gift ideas under $20 in Singapore include a Wax Seals Stamp Set (available on winzige.sg). This comprehensive wax seal kit contains a wax stamp, spoon and sealing 10-15 wax sticks in different colours to create beautiful wax seal designs that your colleague can use on Christmas cards!
19. For the coffee geek
Often see your secret santee with a cuppa joe? Why not surprise him or her with the Starbucks Espresso Roast (available on Shopee Supermarket) that lets you enjoy your favourite Starbucks drinks at home! If they prefer their morning coffee to be from kopitiam, get them the Pod Labs Nespresso Compatible Kopi-O (available on Pod Labs)! Find Singaporeans’ beloved Kopi-O in an all-natural blend with no additional preservatives. Think they don’t own a Nespresso coffee machine? This Specu-Lose Your Mind (available on Hook Coffee Official Store) would be a great gift under $20 for colleagues – it contains drip coffee bags for a delicious Speculoos-tasting coffee — yum!
20. For the tea connoisseur
For that colleague who’s always sippin’ on tea, the OSULLOC Tea Bag Series (available on Tea from Jeju since 1979, OSULLOC) is a fitting secret santa gift idea in Singapore! It includes flavours like Tangerine Tea, Honey Pear Tea and Canola Honey Tea — all harvested with tea leaves from Jeju Island. Alternatively, get them the aromatic Gryphon Templetree Oolong Tea that’s floral and tangy, or the Imperial Tea Rose Black Tea (both available on Shopee Supermarket) that’s rich and invigorating. If they’re a fan of loose tea leaves, get them some cute tea infusers like this Paper Boat Tea Infuser (available on Mrphy Official Store) to spruce up their brew!
21. For the Popmart collector
Pop Mart is the latest craze in town. If your santee has a penchant for these adorable figurines, a Popmart blind box would be a great secret santa gift idea in Singapore under $20 for your colleague! If they’ve been documenting their latest collections on their IGS, it’d be easy to know which series to buy. Otherwise, popular options that hardly go wrong include the Disney Princess Fairy Tale Friendship Series, Sanrio Characters South Island Series, and the DC Justice League Series (all available on POP MART Singapore Official Store) – good luck!
22. For the spiffy colleague
Is your santee a slicked-back or mussed-up kind of guy? Either way, your male colleague will love the Ubersuave Volumizing Clay Pomade (available on SGPomades Mens Grooming Official Store). With its natural shine finish and maximum hold, this pomade will ensure his hairstyle lasts the whole day — even in Singapore’s hot and humid weather! Another useful secret santa gift idea in Singapore for your male colleague is a shaver. The KONKA Portable Mini Men’s Electric Shaver (available on Konka Official Store) is one of the best shavers for men under $20! Your santee will be glad to find that it’s equipped with skin-friendly rounded blade tips for a smooth shave, and that it’s portable for travel!
23. For the beer buff
For the colleague who enjoys a fizzy tipple once in a while, treat them to some fancy craft beers that they can unwind with after work. The Jing A Brewing Co. Craft Beer (available on Shopee Supermarket) is an award-winning craft beer that would be a great addition to your santee’s home bar! The Jing A Worker’s Pale Ale is one of the best beers in Singapore that features a balanced flavour profile with notes of grapefruit and pine. We reckon it’ll make for a great secret santa gift idea in Singapore for your beer-loving coworkers!
24. For the custom keyboard enthusiast
@shopeesg constantly thinkin a bao you ? #shopeesghaul #cutekeycaps #mechanicalkeyboard #bao
25. For the gamer colleague
Brainstorming secret santa gift ideas for colleagues in Singapore can be challenging but if your santee is a gamer, you’re in luck. They’ll surely adore gaming accessories like this Nintendo Switch Carrying Case (available on Lammcou Global Store). This will be great for carrying their Nintendo Switch on-the-go and protecting it from drops and bumps! If your colleague is more into mobile games like PUBG or Call Of Duty, this BlueWow 6 Finger Mobile Game Controller (available on BlueWow.sg) will help to boost their gameplay! The game handle can support mobile phones of width up to 6.5 inches (for reference, the iPhone 13 is 6.1 inches) and is designed to give you a comfortable grip while gaming for long hours.
26. For the eco-friendly colleague
Support your colleague’s efforts in saving the environment with some eco-friendly secret santa gift ideas under $20! We suggest getting the JML Arctic Tumbler (available on JML Singapore Official Store) which makes for a great Christmas gift idea for colleagues this 2022. It is one of the best coffee tumblers that helps to retain the temperature of the drink and comes with a handle for extra convenience. You can also get your santee a chic Basics Reusable Bamboo Cutlery Set (available on White Magic Official Store) to substitute disposable cutlery.
27. For the colleague with a green thumb
Surprise your colleague with a green thumb with secret santa gift ideas revolving around houseplants! The Peace Lily Plant (available on Gardens Paradise) complements well with any decor style, which makes it a safe choice for gifts under $20. Apart from sprucing up the home aesthetics, this plant also helps to purify the air and promote better sleep! If they’ve already got a mini garden going on in their home, help enhance their setup with the Self Watering Planter (available on Gardens Paradise). This promises to be a lifesaver on weekends or when they are out of office!
28. For the deal hunter
There’s always one particular colleague in the team who’s updated on the latest bargains in town! If this individual is your santee, you definitely won’t go wrong with restaurant vouchers! Treat your colleague to a yummy Wafuken Voucher or the Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles (available on ChopeDeals) or give them a free meal with a GrabFood SGD15 Voucher (available on Shopee Digital Official Store). Though unconventional, these secret santa gifts under $20 for your colleagues this Christmas 2022 might just be right up their alley!
*Do note that the GrabFood voucher is only viewable on mobile
29. For the bookworm
The avid reader in your team would be stoked to receive some good reads at the secret santa party! Help your secret santee usher in the new year on the right note with a poignant read like When Breath Becomes Air (available on POPULAR Official Store) — a touching memoir about battling with cancer. Meanwhile, the humorous colleague will love Born A Crime (available on POPULAR Official Store), an autobiographical coming-of-age story by comedy star, Trevor Noah. These secret santa gifts under $20 in Singapore will be much more meaningful and personalised for your bibliophilic colleagues!
30. For the post-it addict
It’s easy to spot a post-it addict from miles away — their cubicle is decked with colourful sticky notes which contains to-do lists and other (non) work information. Some great secret santa gift ideas for them would be the Sticky Memo To Do List Pad (available on winzige.sg)! You can also pick the ARTBOX Sticky note Shiba (available on Artboxmall), featuring the cute Shiba dog, a great Christmas gift idea for your dog-loving colleagues in Singapore this 2022!
31. For the drinker
There are many secret santa gift ideas to choose from when it comes to surprising the drinker. Depending on the type of alcohol your santee favours, he or she may find good use for Stainless Steel Ice Cubes (available on TECHCOOL | Life Hacks Product). These ice cubes will keep their drink chilled without diluting its flavour — great for whisky and gin lovers! You can also throw in some adorable Shiba Soju Shot Glasses (available on ARTBOX OFFICIAL STORE) for a great secret santa gift under $20 for your colleagues in Singapore!
32. For the Asana lover
There is just something so meditative about keeping up with a yoga practice. Motivate your secret santee to keep up with their Asana with this gorgeous FENNIN ACTIVE Yoga Bra Vest (available on Fennin Official Shop), a chic sports bra that can support them through tough poses and even on long runs. You can also get them the Moving Peach Yoga Towel (available on Moving Peach Official Store) that provides an anti-slip grip for their yoga mats. If your santee has hinted about needing more activewear then check out this list of affordable activewear brands for more secret santa gifts under $20 in Singapore!
33. For the globetrotter
Now that many countries have opened up, some of your colleagues may have plans to go overseas during the holiday season! Help them be well-prepped with the Valore Digital Luggage Weighing Scale (available on Valore Official Store) — a nifty Christmas gift idea for your colleagues in Singapore under $20 this 2022 to avoid baggage problems at the airport. Other great secret santa gift ideas include the Ossayi Fashion Travel Toiletries Cosmetic Bag (available on Ossayi Official Store) that they must have in their travel checklist. This waterproof bag is perfect for storing both shower gels and grooming accessories!
34. For the soap lover
If you know that your santee loves the finer things in life — including a pampering bath time, the bar soaps will make for a great secret santa gift idea for colleagues in Singapore. This Sleepy Soap (available on Lush Singapore Official Store) contains oat milk and lavender oil — a soothing, calming blend for both the skin and mind. It’ll surely be a therapeutic treat for their next pampering sesh! If your secret santee is a matcha lover, they’ll be delighted with the Pelican Maccha Milk Flavor Soap (available on Shopee Supermarket) that will fill the shower with the aroma of green tea! Green tea extracts also help to soothe skin and reduce inflammation. Have sensitive or eczema-prone skin? Get The Goat Skincare Oatmeal Soap (available on Shopee Supermarket), one of the best eczema treatment products thanks to the simple, skin-loving ingredients.
35. For the colleague who drives
If you’re looking for a last minute secret santa gift idea under $20 in Singapore for the santee who drives, why not buy them car accessories for Christmas! The UGREEN Gravity Car Air Vent Mobile Phone Holder (available on Ugreen Flagship Store) is easy to install and suitable for all car models. Instead of the regular duo clamping system, this car phone holder is designed with three aluminium alloy clamping arms to secure the phone in position. Another useful gift is the Car Steering Wheel Cover (available on SEAMETAL) which is made of carbon fibre. This helps to keep their steering wheels protected from wear and tear!
36. For the paw-rents
Is your secret santee a dog or cat mum? Help them jazz up their pet’s Instagram feed with an Instant Noodle Pet Bed (available on Healthy Pet Home) or a Cat Milk Box (available on MAI ET.SG) or the — the perfect Christmas gift idea for your cat-obsessed colleagues in Singapore this 2022! Apart from aesthetics, this milk box can help their cat grind its claws and is spacious enough for a 10kg cat or two small cats. Plus, they’re affordably priced under $20 for a secret santa gift idea in 2022 that matches your budget!
37. For the colleague who always OTs
@shopeesg get this #instantnoodlecup right this INSTANT ? #kitchengadgets #bowl #shopeesghaul
38. For the one who’s talented at crafts
This ARTBOX DIY Felt Embroidery Kit (available on ARTBOX OFFICIAL STORE) is the perfect secret santa gift idea in Singapore for your colleague who’s great with their hands! This therapeutic activity can take their minds away from the grind and help them to relax this holiday season. This embroidery DIY kit contains a frame, cotton oxford, felt, beads, and embroidery supplies for them to complete this art piece. Alternatively, if you’re the dexterous one, why not try your hand at completing it as your secret santa gift for your colleague instead!
39. For the colleague who needs to destress
If you think your santee is due for a pampering self-care session, the Kirona Ultrasonic Diffuser (available on AromaSG) or the Kundal Scent Diffuser (available on Shopee Supermarket) are gifts under $20 in Singapore that can help them to relax. Have extra budget to spare? Include the Doterra Lemongrass Essential Oil (available on pcu0f9u7t7) in the gift so that they can pair it with the aroma diffuser for a subtle citrus scent that helps to uplift the mood. This essential oil also acts as a mosquito repellent to keep pests at bay, which is practical for a secret santa gift idea in Singapore!
40. For the chic fashionista
Secret santa gift ideas for the office fashionista in Singapore are not as scary as they seem. Start with jewellery and accessories for they are truly a girl’s best friend! Not sure what kind of jewellery gift to get for your female colleague? You won’t go wrong with a pair of Minimalist Mini Hoop Earring (available on CHERJOLI) that’s understated and pairs well with any outfit. If your santee doesn’t have ear piercings, go for a stylish shoulder bag instead! The IELGY Retro Shoulder Bag (available on IELGY Official Store) is roomy enough to hold her weekend essentials!
41. For the melomaniac
For colleagues who never fail their Spotify Wrapped at the end of each year on their IGS, get them one of the best wireless earbuds in Singapore. We recommend the Baseus WM01 Bluetooth Earphones (available on Baseus Official Store) which come in a beautiful shade of lavender and cost less than $20 – definitely within your secret santa gift ideas’ budget! It boasts a long battery life, with a music listening duration of up to 25 hours. It’s also widely compatible with devices, so you can be assured that your santee can put it to good use.
42. For the beauty junkie
There are some holy grail makeup products that are suitable when looking for gifts for colleagues! Two of which being a highlighter and beauty blender. The Perfect Diary Star Dust Diamond Highlighter (available on Perfect Diary Official Shop) is the icing on the cake for any makeup look! Your santee would just have to dust it on the high points of her face to achieve that goddess glow. If you’d prefer to avoid getting makeup that requires you to pick a shade, then beauty tools like this PONY EFFECT Mini Pebble Blender (available on ponyeffect_official.sg). This nifty sponge has both a flat and round edge to blend foundations and concealers flawlessly! Who would have thought you could get these gifts under $20 in Singapore?
Easy wrapping ideas for your secret santa gifts
After you’ve settled on your secret santa gift idea for your colleagues in Singapore this Christmas 2022, the next step is to wrap it up! Here are some easy and affordable wrapping options to consider to make your gift look presentable:
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Christmas paper bag
If you’re gifting your secret santee food, tea or coffee, the best wrapping option would be Christmas bags like the Christmas Gift Packaging Bag (available on Ossayi Official Store) that’s made of kraft paper. It’s available in various designs like white with reindeer prints and sky blue with reindeer and snowman characters on it to choose from! Meanwhile, an exquisite gift like a bottle of red wine deserves an equally pristine gift bag like this Window Paper Bag (available on Shopee Supermarket)!
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Christmas drawstring bags
For a more eco-friendly wrapping option, opt for the Christmas Drawstring Bag (available on Jami Handmade Goods Official Store) to store your secret santa gift ideas in Singapore! Your santee can even repurpose it for their next gift exchange. It is available in four adorable designs to choose from, and is the perfect size for smaller gifts like tumblrs and notebooks. Prefer a more minimalistic design? Go for this Flat Non Woven Bag (available on Shopee Supermarket) in a bright pop of red!
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Festive wrapping paper
For larger presents or those that come in boxes, you can get wrapping paper like the Christmas Gift Wrapping Paper Roll (available on Les Gift International) to wrap it up with a festive touch! For a finishing touch, you can use Christmas ribbons like the Ossayi Christmas Gift Wrapping Grosgrain Ribbons (available on Ossayi Official Store)!
What is a secret santa gift exchange?
Secret santa gift exchange is a popular Christmas tradition that friends and colleagues play during the festive season. As its title suggests, this is an anonymous gift exchange — which adds to the holiday fun! It helps to bring people closer together and promotes the spirit of giving even to those who may not have been on your Christmas list (like your new colleague).
Each participant will be randomly assigned as the ‘secret santa’ for another participant, known as the ‘secret santee’. The ‘secret santa’s’ mission is to provide a small gift within an agreed budget to surprise the ‘secret santee’ without revealing his or her identity. After the gift exchange is over, the ‘secret santa’ will be revealed and new relationships will be made!
What to get for Secret Santa when you don’t know the person?
The game can go two ways — you either know the person very well or not at all. If you’re in doubt, keep the gift generic by getting them things like chocolates, men’s socks or women’s socks and pretty mugs!
Nail your secret Santa gift for your colleagues with these ideas
Celebrate the jolly season in 2022 with the spirit of giving by getting well-thought out secret santa gift ideas under $30 for your co-workers in Singapore. Don’t forget to check out our ultimate Christmas gift ideas that will come in useful when buying presents for your loved ones. If you’re preparing to pig out with your family this Christmas, get the best Christmas hams in Singapore to enjoy during your end-of-year feasts!
This article was updated on 12 October 2022. Additional research done by Liang Shi Nan.
