Secret Santa is a lovely tradition, but picking the right gift is harder than it looks. You want something thoughtful and office-appropriate that doesn’t feel too personal or too generic. If your colleague is neurodivergent, you might also want something that adds a bit of comfort, focus or calm to their day.
The good news is there are plenty of useful, affordable gifts under £10. No gimmicks and no novelty tat, just ideas your colleague will actually use. And honestly, most of them would suit anyone.
A quick word before you buy
Every neurodivergent person is different. One person’s favourite fidget is another person’s irritation, and a scented candle that one colleague loves could be overwhelming for someone with sensory sensitivities. The National Autistic Society’s guide to sensory processing explains why. If you can, pay attention to what your colleague already uses at their desk, or ask the organiser to share a short wish list. Unscented, quiet and practical is usually a safe bet.
Fidget tools for focus and calm
Many people, neurodivergent or not, find that something to do with their hands helps them concentrate or settle during a long meeting. We’ve written about why fidget toys belong in every meeting, and our guide to stimming in the workplace explains why movement can help. Good options under £10:
- magnetic fidget rings
- quiet infinity cubes
- weighted metal sliders
- silicone hand rollers
- smooth, tactile stress balls
Choose quiet ones. A clicking fidget is great at home and less popular in an open-plan office.
Desk toys for a mental reset
A short break can do a lot for focus. Small desk pieces like a mini sandscape, a slow liquid timer, a wooden puzzle box, a tiny zen garden or a kinetic balancing toy give the brain a pause without needing anyone to leave their desk.
Comfort for long workdays
Comfort gifts are almost always appreciated. Think about a hot chocolate or tea kit, a cooling gel eye mask for screen-heavy days, reusable heat pads for tense shoulders, a soft desk coaster or a small lap blanket for chilly offices. If you’re tempted by anything scented, such as a pulse point roller, check first.
Organisation tools that make work feel manageable
Plenty of people like clear structure and simple tools for keeping on top of tasks. Try a “today’s top three” priority pad, a compact weekly planner, a magnetic task list, a mini whiteboard for reminders, muted page flags or a few cable clips to tame desk clutter. Keep it practical rather than clinical. Nobody wants a gift that implies they’re disorganised.
Something light-hearted
For a small moment of fun that doesn’t feel childish, consider desk trivia cards, a pattern colouring book, a mini plant growing kit, a small jigsaw or a build-your-own wooden model. These suit colleagues who like a creative, mindful break.
Tech accessories that solve small annoyances
Useful gadgets are rarely a miss. A phone stand for hands-free calls, a clip-on ring light for video meetings, a screen cleaning kit, a flexible USB lamp or a quiet USB desk fan all make the working day a bit easier. A fan or lamp can be a small sensory comfort too, helping someone control their own corner of the office.
Choosing well
The best Secret Santa gifts show a bit of care without being overly sentimental. Keep it under budget, office-appropriate and genuinely useful, and you can’t go far wrong.
The festive season can also be a lot for some neurodivergent colleagues, with noisy parties, changed routines and crowded spaces. If you’re organising, our guides to hosting a neuroinclusive Christmas party and managing sensory overload at work over Christmas are worth a read. Buying for family? Try our gift guide for neurodivergent loved ones.
How Enna can help
Small gestures matter, but the best gift you can give neurodivergent colleagues is a workplace that works for them all year round. A simple first step is our working styles guide, which helps teams share how they work best. For a deeper change, our Neurodiversity 101 workshop gives whole teams a practical understanding of neurodiversity at work. Get in touch to book it for the new year.
And if you’re neurodivergent and fancy a new start in January, sign up for job alerts from employers who are serious about inclusion.
