Secret Santa & St Nicholas: small gifts with a big wow
At a Secret Santa there are exactly two kinds of gifts: the ones everybody laughs about that evening, and the ones nobody can find the next morning. We are firmly in the first camp. So we searched our shelves in Bregenz for small gifts up to € 50 that make people go “oh!” when they unwrap them: from a glass vanilla crescent biscuit and a pickle wearing a Santa hat to an extrait in pocket size. Everything can be ordered online and was in stock at the time of writing.
- Up to € 15: the glass vanilla crescent by Inge Glas or a zigzag wash cloth by Missoni Home.
- Up to € 30: the Christmas pickle with Santa hat, the glass St Nicholas “Rauschebart”, the Dubai Vibes car fragrance by Naumov or a fireside hand cream by Maison Margiela.
- Up to € 50: the “Geldscheißer” lucky charm, a Xerjoff deodorant, Ex Nihilo’s Lust in Paradise Extrait in 7 ml, the Perfume Merch Cap, the Chipolo tracker or the Kai Porten Discovery Set.
- For St Nicholas’ boot, almost all ideas up to € 30 fit. They are small and light; glass ornaments are best wrapped in tissue paper.
What is Wichteln – and where does the name come from?
Wichteln is the German-speaking version of Secret Santa: everyone in a group secretly draws a name and gives a present to exactly that person. Usually the group agrees on a budget beforehand, so nobody turns up with a cashmere scarf while others bring socks. The name comes from the Wichtel, a Nordic legendary figure who secretly does good. In northern Germany and Scandinavia the custom is called Julklapp, Swedish for Christmas present, in the English-speaking world Secret Santa, and in parts of Austria it is known as Engerl-Bengerl.
The art of Secret Santa: a gift that suits almost anyone without feeling random. Our rule of thumb is therefore: either a good story, a small luxury or real everyday use. Ideally two of them.
What goes into the boot for St Nicholas?
Traditionally sweets, nuts and small gifts. St Nicholas’ Day on 6 December commemorates Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop in what is now Turkey. According to legend, he secretly gave gifts to three young women at night, which is why children still put their shoes or boots outside the door on the night before 6 December. All over Austria, on the eve before, Krampus Day, his shaggy companion also comes by and, according to custom, frightens the naughty ones.
For adults the boot may be filled a little more elegantly. Small things that look lovely peeking out of the top of the boot are ideal. And if you are still looking for a Christmas ornament with a story for St Nicholas’ evening, somewhere between Krampus and crescent biscuits, Inge Glas is the right place.
Which Secret Santa gifts are there up to € 15?
Small, but with attitude. These two cost less than a night at the cinema and look a good deal more expensive.
Vanilla crescent with icing sugar by Inge Glas
A classic of Austrian Christmas baking as a Christmas tree ornament, around 6.5 centimetres long, with icing sugar that never falls off. Mouth-blown, silvered inside and hand-painted at the Inge Glas manufactory in Neustadt near Coburg, whose glassblowing tradition goes back to 1597 according to the family. How Lauscha became a world brand for glass tree decorations is told in 15 generations of glassblowers. Limitation: calorie-free, but sadly not edible either.
Giacomo wash cloth by Missoni Home
A wash cloth? Yes, but one with a pedigree. The famous zigzag goes back to Ottavio and Rosita Missoni, who founded a knitwear workshop in Gallarate, Italy, in 1953. The cloth measures 30 × 30 centimetres, is made of 100 % cotton, velour on one side and terry on the other, made in Portugal and washable at 40 degrees. Limitation: once you have used it, you will not want the old one back.
What do you give for Secret Santa up to € 30?
This is the premier league of Secret Santa. In this price range a small gift becomes a real surprise.
Christmas pickle with Santa hat by Inge Glas
The famous Christmas tree pickle, this time with a red glitter hat and around 12 centimetres long. The custom: whoever spots the pickle on the tree first gets an extra present. The perfect Secret Santa punchline, because you are giving the next game along with it. What is really behind the legend is revealed in The Christmas pickle: the true story.
St Nicholas “Rauschebart” by Inge Glas
A St Nicholas with a flowing beard, around 8.5 centimetres tall, mouth-blown, mirrored with sterling silver and hand-painted. A gift that reappears on the tree every year and reminds its owner of the giver. Limitation: glass is glass, so wrap it well in tissue paper for the boot.
Dubai Vibes, car and room fragrance by Naumov
Passion fruit, bergamot and cinnamon at the top, then amber, jasmine and star anise, and finally oud, vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli. A scent that makes the motorway traffic jam smell a little like a gold souk. Available in 60 ml or 250 ml. Limitation: deliberately oriental and intense, not for fans of completely neutral air.
Replica By the Fireplace hand cream by Maison Margiela
Chestnut, vanilla, orange blossom and burning wood, packed into a hand cream with shea butter and sweet almond oil. A fireplace for your coat pocket. Limitation: the scent is noticeable after applying, so if you sit next to a sensitive colleague, use a small amount.
Which Secret Santa gifts up to € 50 have a real wow effect?
When the budget is more generous, it can be a small luxury experience. Here are the gifts that will very likely make someone at the party ask: “Where did you get that?”
“Geldscheißer” lucky charm by Inge Glas
A squatting little man dropping a gold coin, a traditional German-speaking good-luck charm for prosperity, around 10 centimetres tall and, of course, mouth-blown. The Secret Santa gift the whole table laughs about, and one that still wishes good luck all year round. Limitation: perhaps a touch too cheeky for a stiff Christmas party with the board.
Erba Pura deodorant spray by Xerjoff
One of Xerjoff’s best-known fragrances as a deodorant: Sicilian orange and lemon with Mediterranean fruit. According to Xerjoff, without propellant gas, based on essential oils and in packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials. If you prefer mint and basil, the Torino21 deo comes in the same format. Limitation: a deodorant is not a perfume, so it lasts less long.
Lust in Paradise Extrait by Ex Nihilo, 7 ml
A Parisian extrait in pocket size: blackcurrant, pink pepper and red ginger, then rose, jasmine sambac and Petalia, carried by Akigalawood, cedar, Ambrofix and musk, composed by Louise Turner. Our favourite for anyone who wants to get to know a niche brand without buying a large bottle straight away. Who is behind Ex Nihilo is told in our portrait of Ex Nihilo, and what Akigalawood is, in our fragrance ingredient glossary.
Perfume Merch Cap “Sniff First”
Our own cap, embroidered in Vienna, made of 100 % cotton and one size fits all. Besides “Sniff First” there are other slogans such as Niche AF or Kai Porten Approved, while stocks last. Limitation: clean with a sponge only, not in the washing machine.
Chipolo LOOP tracking tag
A small tracker with a silicone loop that, according to Chipolo, works either with Apple’s Find My or with Google’s Find Hub. It rings loudly, is protected against water to IP67 and charges via USB-C. Available in six colours. The gift you get thanked for every time the key ring turns up again. Limitation: no charger included.
Kai Porten Discovery Set, 4 × 2 ml
Four fragrances from Kai Porten Parfums Privés to try: Oud 31, Cherry X, Beach Klub and Rose Sherbet. Ideal for people who like to join in when the conversation turns to perfume. You will find the whole brand in the Kai Porten Parfums Privés collection. Limitation: 2 ml is enough for a few days of getting acquainted, not for the whole winter.
Prices according to the 4D Outfitters webshop, as of 22 October 2026. The prices shown are updated automatically from the shop. Availability may change, and some pieces are only available in small quantities.
A bit more budget? You will find more ideas in our Gifts collection, and how to find the right fragrance for someone else is revealed in Giving perfume: how to find the right fragrance.
Little curiosities for the Secret Santa evening
So the story is right when the gifts are unwrapped
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A Wichtel who does good
The Wichtel is a Nordic legendary figure who helps in secret. That is exactly why the giver stays anonymous at a Secret Santa.
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Julklapp, taken literally
Julklapp is Swedish and means Christmas present. Originally the gift was secretly slipped to the recipient before an agreed day.
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Shoes outside the door
The boots on St Nicholas’ Eve go back to the legend in which Nicholas of Myra secretly gave gifts to three young women at night.
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Glass since 1597
The glassblowing family behind Inge Glas traces its tradition back to a glassworks founded in Lauscha in 1597.
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Zigzag with lasting fame
In 2013 the New York Times headlined its obituary of Ottavio Missoni with the words that he had made zigzags a symbol of high fashion.
Frequently asked questions about Secret Santa and St Nicholas gifts
What makes a good Secret Santa gift?
One that suits almost anyone and still has a story, for example a glass vanilla crescent by Inge Glas, a wash cloth by Missoni Home or a car and room fragrance by Naumov.
What is the difference between Wichteln and Julklapp?
It is the same custom with different names. Julklapp is the term used in northern Germany and Scandinavia, Wichteln is the usual name in the German-speaking world, and in parts of Austria people say Engerl-Bengerl.
What do you give adults for St Nicholas?
Small, high-quality things that fit into a boot: a hand cream with a fireside scent, a Christmas ornament such as St Nicholas “Rauschebart” or an extrait in 7 ml format.
Is there perfume as a Secret Santa gift up to € 50?
Yes, for example Lust in Paradise Extrait by Ex Nihilo in 7 ml or the Kai Porten Discovery Set with four fragrances of 2 ml each. The Xerjoff deodorants are a little cheaper.
When is St Nicholas’ Day?
On 6 December. Children put their shoes or boots outside the door the night before. The eve, 5 December, is Krampus Day in Austria.
When is shipping free?
From an order value of € 200, standard shipping to Austria and Germany is free.
Unwrap first, then fall in love
A tip for Secret Santas with a perfume plan: with every bottle from 30 ml we include a free sample of the same fragrance, and from an order value of € 90 you also receive 4 fragrance samples. You are welcome to note a particular sample request in your basket – if in stock, we will gladly take it into account. If you shop for several Secret Santa rounds at once, you collect small fragrance samples along the way as a little extra for the St Nicholas boot. From an order value of € 200, standard shipping to Austria and Germany is free.
And if you have no idea at all what it should be: a gift voucher always fits. Or visit us in our boutique in Bregenz, where we will be happy to advise you and wrap your gift beautifully.
Your 4D Outfitters team, Bregenz
Sources: manufacturers’ product information in the 4D Outfitters webshop (Inge Glas, Missoni Home, Naumov, Maison Margiela, Xerjoff, Ex Nihilo, Chipolo, Kai Porten Parfums Privés) · Wikipedia – Wichteln · Wikipedia – Julklapp · Wikipedia – Nikolaus von Myra · Wikipedia – Krampus · Austrian National Tourist Office – Krampus · Inge Glas – manufactory · Wikipedia – Missoni · Chipolo – LOOP · Ex Nihilo – Lust in Paradise Extrait · Xerjoff – Erba Pura
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