How to Be the Best Secret Santa Without Breaking the Bank

Secret Santa season is here, and along with it comes the annual pressure: find a thoughtful gift, stay within budget, and somehow avoid gifting something that screams “last-minute panic”.

Good news — you don’t need a big budget to give a great gift. You just need to be smart about value, flexibility, and choosing things people actually want, which is exactly why subscription-based gifting is the way ahead.

Here are 5 clever ways to be the best Secret Santa — all subtly aligned with the smarter, more affordable way people are gifting.

Traditional Secret Santa often results in novelty items people never touch again. Instead, think: “What would make their everyday life easier?”

Some handy gift examples include:

• A subscription trial they can actually make use of

• Access-based perks they wouldn’t buy outright

• Something that saves them money in the long run

The idea is to gift practical value, not clutter.

You don’t need to buy an expensive gadget or tech item to impress someone. With subscription-based gifts, you can give them:

• Access to premium items without premium price tags

• A taste of something they’ve been wanting to try

• A smarter, budget-friendly option that feels premium

You'll allow your receiver to “use, try, and enjoy” without paying the full upfront cost! Perfect Secret Santa energy.

Instead of assembling physical bundles, create a value bundle:

• A curated list of money-saving hacks

• A subscription perk + a small complementary item

• A “try this for a month” access gift

These feel intentional, personal, and smart. The goal is to show you’ve thought about their lifestyle. After all, no one wants a random gift that's simply going to end up in a drawer, forgotten and unused.

Most Secret Santa gifts get forgotten by New Year’s. Not ideal.

But subscriptions, access passes, or referral-based perks do something different: They last longer, stretch the value, and give your recipient something to look forward to.

It’s a low-cost way to make your gift feel premium, and it encourages smarter, more sustainable consumption.

Here’s a real 2025 hack: Choose a gift where your friend gets something valuable, and you do too.

That’s where a referral model works beautifully. Instead of traditional gifting:

• Your receiver gets perks when they sign up

• You get rewarded for sharing something useful

• Together, it becomes a win-win moment

And this Christmas… that “win” could turn into something even bigger.

Looking for a gift idea with a little Christmas magic? Here’s the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

🎄 The Cinch Secret Santa Referral Celebration

This one’s just for existing Cinch customers, so if you’re not in yet, now’s the perfect time to subscribe and join the fun. Check your email for your Cinch referral link and when your friend signs up:

• They get an instant festive reward

• You get entered to win a Royal Caribbean Cruise for Two!

• It’s gifting, saving, and possibly cruising into the new year, all from one little referral.

Smartest Secret Santa move ever? Absolutely.🎅🏻✨

Don't miss out on being the best Secret Santa, sign up now at cinch.sg!