68% of UK office workers say they would rather receive a viral Labubu collectible than a candle or novelty mug this Christmas
Your For You Page is now your festive gift guide. In 2025, Secret Santa gifting has taken a sharp turn from the traditional to the totally trending. Candles and calendars? Still around, but increasingly edged out by pistachio flavoured biscuits, Dubai imported chocolate bars and collectible plushies with oddly adorable faces.
It is not just about giving a present any more. It is about proving you get the vibe. According to instantprint’s latest survey of 2,000 UK office workers, social media is influencing workplace gifting more than ever, with 68% of employees saying they would rather receive a viral item like a Labubu plush than the usual mug or joke gift. Nearly half of workers under 35 plan to buy something trending for their recipient this year.
The cost of being basic: why traditional gifts are losing their shine
Once considered safe bets, items like chocolates, alcohol and socks have fallen out of favour with a large segment of younger workers. According to our survey, 52% said socks were the worst gift they had ever received, and 26% admitted they would rather receive nothing at all than be handed another bottle of cheap wine or a bubble bath set they will never use.
In 2025, Secret Santa has evolved. It is no longer just a festive box ticking exercise. For younger colleagues in particular, it is a chance to connect, to show personality and to be recognised for having taste specifically, the kind of taste you get from scrolling TikTok for 20 minutes too long.
Inside the Top 10 Gifts Everyone Wants This Year
The rise of “viral gifting” is all about tapping into what is relevant, fresh and a little bit unpredictable. Here are the most wanted Secret Santa gifts of the year, based on popularity with UK office workers:
1. Labubu Collectible Plush – 68%
2. Pistachio Flavoured Treats – 54%
3. Dubai Chocolate Bars – 46%
4. Reusable Aesthetic Water Bottles – 41%
5. Pop Culture Keyrings or Pins – 36%
6. Mini Desk Games or Fidget Toys – 33%
7. Mini Projectors for TikTok Movie Nights – 29%
8. Custom Meme Mugs – 27%
9. Acrylic Name Signs for Desks – 23%
10. Mini Plant Pots or Plant-Themed Stationery – 21%
These are not necessarily big-ticket items, but they are highly recognisable. A gift that says “I saw this on TikTok and thought of you” is, for many workers, more meaningful than something practical but forgettable. In fact, 75% of recipients say receiving a viral or culturally relevant gift made them feel more connected to their colleagues and more excited about the Secret Santa reveal.
Why Labubu is the new office icon
Labubu plushes, part of the Pop Mart designer toy series, have taken over desks and meeting rooms across the country. Known for their expressive faces and collectible nature, these tiny plushies have been unboxed millions of times across TikTok and Instagram.
Despite retailing at under £15, certain rare editions have been resold for over £100 online. In the survey, one in five workers said they would be genuinely delighted to receive one, even if they did not previously know what it was, because it shows the gifter made an effort to buy something culturally current.
The pistachio phenomenon
Move over peppermint. Pistachio is now the flavour of the season. Whether it is coffee syrups, pistachio cream biscuits or pastel green spreadable treats, the flavour has become a social media staple. According to our survey, 33% of Gen Z employees said they would choose a pistachio-themed gift over traditional chocolate or wine, citing its aesthetic and “cool factor” as major draws.
And what about that chocolate from Dubai?
Sleek. Luxurious. Impossible to find. Dubai chocolate bars, layered with pistachio or knafeh cream and wrapped in gold-foil packaging, have become the UK’s most sought-after edible gift. Their rapid rise on TikTok has turned them into the holy grail of affordable luxury. Aldi’s attempt at recreating the viral sensation sold out within days earlier this year and 46% of workers say they would love to receive a bar or two.
The Secret Santa gifts you really should avoid
While some gifts spark laughter and bonding, others trigger eye rolls or awkward silence. Our survey uncovered the gifts most likely to disappoint:
1. Socks – 52%
2. No Gift (Forgotten Colleague) – 26%
3. Soap Sets – 15%
4. Cheap Wine – 12%
5. Shower Gel – 10%
6. Calendars for the Wrong Year – 8%
7. Used Books or DVDs – 7%
8. Branded Freebies Passed Off as Gifts – 6%
9. Scratchcards with No Win – 5%
10. Joke Gifts That Only One Person Understands – 4%
With 1 in 4 men saying they have been entirely forgotten during a Secret Santa exchange, and 1 in 5 IT workers describing past gifts as “completely useless,” the pressure is on to get it right. That means leaving the last-minute panic buys and uninspired classics behind.
Expert insight: Secret Santa as a cultural moment
Craig Wassell, Marketing Manager at instantprint, explains why this shift is more than just a Gen Z trend:
“In 2025, Secret Santa is no longer just a festive tradition. It is a social exchange. A way to say ‘I get you’ without spending more than £15. The most successful gifts are not the ones with the highest price tags. They are the ones that make people feel seen”
Craig’s Tips for Getting Gifting Right
1. Use TikTok as your trend tracker – Explore hashtags like #officesecretsanta and #giftideas for ideas that feel fresh and fun
2. Buy early if it’s trending – Items with social media buzz tend to sell out fast
3. Add a personal layer – Pair a Labubu with a funny label or wrap your chocolate bar with a handwritten meme. A little context makes a big impact
What your HR team can do to bring it all together
If you are organising Secret Santa this year, now is the time to lean into this cultural shift. Try adding a twist to your office tradition by introducing a “trend swap” theme. Ask gifters to include a short note with their present explaining where the gift trended, why it was big in 2025 or what makes it culturally relevant.
It does not take much, but it adds a layer of meaning and makes the reveal more interactive. Instead of generic gifts being opened and politely acknowledged, the room lights up with inside jokes, recognition and real engagement.
Because if Secret Santa is meant to reflect the spirit of the season, then this year it is bold thoughtful and very much shaped by your algorithm.
