Secret Santa Jewelry Gifts Under $50 That Anyone Can Wear

The best Secret Santa jewelry gifts are small, easy pieces that suit almost anyone, like simple stud earrings or a beaded stretch bracelet. Every pick below costs under $50 USD, so it fits a typical office swap budget, and a soft pouch turns any of them into a ready to give present.

Gift swaps are being planned right now, and the hardest part is buying for a coworker or cousin you barely know. Here is how to choose, what to buy and how to wrap it.

What makes a good Secret Santa jewelry gift?

A Secret Santa gift has a tricky job. It has to stay inside the group budget, feel personal enough to be appreciated and still work for someone whose taste you can only guess. Jewelry does that well when you keep three rules in mind.

• Keep it small and simple. Studs and single strand bracelets go with work clothes, weekend outfits and party looks, so they actually get worn.
• Skip sizing worries. Earrings and stretch bracelets do not need a ring size or a clasp length, which matters when you cannot ask.
• Add one fun detail. A glow in the dark bead or an iridescent shimmer gives the gift a story to tell at the swap, without being too loud.

Those rules point straight at the styles that top most Secret Santa gift lists: small studs and simple bracelets. They also happen to be where many NOGU favorites sit, so you can shop our gifts under $50 without trading quality for price.

Best Secret Santa jewelry gifts under $50

Here are five picks that cover almost any recipient, all priced in USD.

For the safest bet, the Teal Firefly Glass Stud Earrings are hard to beat at $31. Each 8mm stud is made of hand blown Firefly Glass set in .925 sterling silver with 18k white gold vermeil, and the glass gives off an emerald glow after it charges under a bright light. They arrive gift boxed, and they are small enough to wear to the office every day. Browse more earrings if your recipient prefers a different color.

For a pop of color, the Violet Mermaid Glass Bead Bracelet costs $32 and is strung with 6mm iridescent Mermaid Glass beads, a silver finish centerpiece and a silver plated logo charm on a stainless steel base. Ten percent of net sales of the Mermaid Glass bracelets go to Take 3, a charity that cleans up beaches and oceans, which gives your gift a nice story at the swap.

For softer taste, the Lavender Mermaid Glass Bead Bracelet is the same $32 design in a lighter pastel shade. It suits people who wear neutrals and like a little shimmer. See every shade in our Mermaid Glass collection.

For the top of the budget, the Teal Firefly Glass Bracelet comes in at $49 with Firefly Glass beads on a .925 sterling silver base and 18k white gold vermeil. Its deep teal color looks great on any wrist, which makes it an easy pick when you have drawn a name you know nothing about. More glowing styles live in our Firefly Glass .925 Sterling Silver collection.

How do you pick jewelry for someone you barely know?

You do not need to be a detective. A minute of quiet observation is enough.

1. Check their ears. If you have seen them wearing earrings, studs are the simplest win. If not, choose a bracelet.
2. Look at their colors. People who wear blues and greens tend to love teal. Pastel fans lean lavender, and anyone who likes bold color will enjoy violet.
3. Notice their metals. Silver tones match all five picks, so you only have to decide on the color of the glass.
4. Keep it unisex if unsure. A single beaded bracelet in teal or violet works for men and women alike.

If they already wear a few earrings, a pair of glowing studs is easy to add to an ear stack. Our earring stacking guide has ideas for pairing them.

How to wrap and ship a Secret Santa jewelry gift

Presentation matters at a gift swap, since the gift gets opened in front of everyone. The Black Micro-Suede Travel Clutch is an easy upgrade at $12. It is an embossed black microsuede pouch measuring 9 x 13cm, so a bracelet or a pair of studs slips right in, and your recipient can keep using it to store jewelry afterwards. It ships empty, so add it alongside your gift. You can find more pouches and cases in our jewelry storage collection.

A few practical tips before the big day:

• Order early. Orders placed before 2pm EST are dispatched the same day, but holiday carriers get busy, so give yourself a cushion before your swap date.
• Bundle if you are buying for several swaps. Standard shipping is free on orders over US$50 in the USA, and orders over US$100 in the USA or CA$125 in Canada include a free gift. See our Shipping FAQs for details.
• Add a care note. Plain .925 sterling silver is best kept out of water, but NOGU pieces are plated, so they can get a little wet without worry. Tell your recipient to dry the piece carefully, store it dry and keep soaps and lotions away. Our Jewelry Care Guide has more.

Need help choosing? Call us at 1-800-338-8840 and we will help you find the right piece.

Secret Santa jewelry FAQs

Is $50 a good Secret Santa budget for jewelry?

Yes. Every piece in this guide comes in under $50 USD, from the $31 Teal Firefly Glass Stud Earrings to the $49 Teal Firefly Glass Bracelet. If your group set a lower limit, the $32 Mermaid Glass bracelets leave room for a small card or treat.

What jewelry should I give if I do not know their style?

Choose small, easy pieces. Stud earrings and simple beaded stretch bracelets suit most outfits and ages, and soft colors like teal, violet and lavender read as thoughtful without being too personal.

Will a stretch bracelet fit my Secret Santa?

Most likely. The Mermaid Glass and Teal Firefly Glass bracelets are strung on a clear elastic cord with a 7.8 inch circumference, so they slip on and fit most wrists. Roll a stretch bracelet on and off rather than pulling the cord.

Can they wear these pieces in water?

Plain .925 sterling silver is best kept out of water. NOGU pieces are plated, so they can get a little wet without worry, like rain or rinsing hands. Dry them carefully afterwards, store them dry, and avoid water with soap, shampoo or lotion.

How fast will my Secret Santa gift ship?

Orders placed before 2pm EST are dispatched the same day. Standard shipping is free on orders over US$50 in the USA, and orders over US$100 in the USA or CA$125 in Canada get a free gift. Questions? Call 1-800-338-8840.