Naughty, Nice, and a Little Spicy: Dirty Santa Gifts That Stir the Pot

Want a gift that keeps the party buzzing? The Instax Mini 12 cranks out credit‑card prints on the spot—great for Dirty Santa photo ops and take‑home favors. In our testing, its compact design was easy to pass around, though we saw soft, blurry results in dim light and at tricky focus distances. Our experience shows some units arrive finicky or DOA, and you’ll need AA batteries and film, so budget for ongoing costs despite the camera’s approachable price.

Gift this to the work-from-anywhere friend and watch it get stolen twice. In our testing, the adjustable height and angle made laptops, tablets, and books more comfortable, and the bamboo finish looks surprisingly premium for a casual lap desk. Our experience shows quality can vary—some units arrive with split or unfinished wood, flimsy drawers, or adjustment mechanisms that don’t lock firmly. For light laptops and reading it excels, but scrutinize hardware and tighten fasteners during setup.

This mini desk sweeper is the tidy-up hero your coworker didn’t know they needed. During our review, its quiet motor and effective suction handled crumbs, eraser shavings, and pet hair on flat surfaces without disturbing Zoom calls. The trade-offs: the dust bin can be awkward and messy to empty, it struggles along edges and tight crevices, and larger debris often needs multiple passes. Pair it with a small brush for corners and empty it directly over a trash can.

This squishy-looking spud lamp brings instant whimsy to a desk or nightstand and is a guaranteed White Elephant steal. In our testing, the touch sensor was intuitive, with three brightness levels, and the USB-rechargeable design means no scrambling for batteries. Just know it’s small and intentionally dim—more ambient mood than reading light—and it isn’t water resistant. Appearance can vary slightly between units, but the cozy glow reliably sparks smiles for adults and kids alike.

Turn the bathroom into a glow-up moment with IllumiBowl’s color-changing LED that kicks on only when it’s dark and you approach. In our testing, the motion-activated, battery-powered design made late-night trips safer without blinding overheads, and the playful colors entertain guests and kids. Our experience shows mounting can be hit-or-miss on certain toilet shapes, and several users report early failures and slow support. Keep the receipt, test it early, and consider adhesive strips if suction doesn’t hold.

This tiny Dash Mini Waffle Maker is the kind of Dirty Santa gift people tease—then steal. It heats fast and pumps out a crisp, single waffle, and the nonstick plates wipe clean with barely a rinse. Just know it only makes one small waffle at a time, and the short handle can be awkward when it’s piping hot. In our testing, performance was strong early on, but some units lose heat after months of frequent use.

Quirky gifts win Dirty Santa, and the OTOTO Nessie Ladle always gets laughs while actually being useful. In our testing, the BPA‑free, dishwasher‑safe ladle stood upright in thicker sauces or stews, but it tended to tip or float in thin soups. It’s smaller than it looks—about half a cup—so think gravy, ramen toppings, and ladling seconds rather than big batches. The long neck is cute but can flex with heavier scoops, so we’d avoid dense chili or chunky chowder.

Lean into the guac jokes and gift the OXO 3‑in‑1 Avocado Slicer—useful, safe, and surprisingly party‑friendly. In our testing, the pitting tool popped stones out with a quick twist, and the non‑slip handle felt secure even with slippery fruit. The plastic slicing edge works better on firmer avocados and won’t produce chef‑perfect fans, so manage expectations. We hand‑wash to avoid surface rust on the metal ring, especially if it’s been through the dishwasher a few times.

For a game that escalates a gift exchange fast, What Do You Meme? Bigger Better Edition delivers 525 cards and big, goofy energy. During our review, the separate mature-content deck made it easy to switch between family‑friendly rounds and unapologetically adult play. Expect some duplicate images if you own other editions, and a few captions push the line into cringey. Card and photo quality are serviceable rather than premium, but the replay value with groups is hard to beat.

Practical gifts win more steals than you’d think, and the TP‑Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini is an easy crowd‑pleaser. During our review, setup took minutes and the compact body let us stack two in a single outlet, voice‑controllable with Alexa or Google—no hub needed. Note it only works on 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi, and a few units require troubleshooting to reconnect. It lacks full energy tracking on all models, but for automating lamps or tree lights at this price, it’s a slam dunk.

Bathroom humor meets real utility with Poo~Pourri Original Citrus—a crowd-pleaser for Dirty Santa that actually works. During our review, a few pre-sprays kept post‑visit odors in check, leaving a fresh citrus scent that wasn’t cloying. It costs more per use than generic sprays and the pump can be fussy, but the travel sizes are perfect for office or airport runs. A handful of noses find the first spritz strong, yet it settles quickly into clean, discreet coverage.

Hot, sweet, and ready to steal every slice, Mike’s Hot Honey is the Dirty Santa pick that turns pizza night into a party. In our testing, the balanced sweet-and-spicy drizzle played nicely on chicken, charcuterie, and even ice cream, though heat levels do run milder and can vary by bottle. We found the viscosity thickens over time; a quick warm-up restores easy pourability. It’s a bit pricey for the amount, but the versatile kick earns plenty of grins for $8.99.

Outdoorsy friends will appreciate a LifeStraw that actually earns pack space. During our review, the ultralight design proved easy to stash, and the membrane microfilter’s roughly 1,000-gallon lifespan is great for emergency kits or day hikes. Our experience shows flow can be slow and you must continuously sip, and it won’t remove viruses, chemicals, or heavy metals—consider a purifier or carbon stage if those are concerns. For clear natural sources, though, it’s a reliable, affordable safety net.

For a cheeky stocking-stuffer, these cat butt magnets deliver instant giggles for barely more than a dollar. In our testing, they’re best for lightweight decor—think a postcard or one note—since the magnets can be weak and the small size limits holding power. The playful plastic can chip or wear with rough handling, so treat them as novelty flair rather than utility workhorses. At this price, they’re perfect for Dirty Santa antics without blowing the budget.

For a literally spicy Dirty Santa pick, Hot Ones Truth or Dab dares players with revealing prompts and the show’s branded hot sauce. In our testing, the questions sparked real laughter—and a few grudges—while the sauce delivered serious heat. Our experience shows boxes occasionally arrive with missing or previously opened sauce, so check before game night. Portions and sample spoons are small, and many prompts skew mature, making this best for adult groups who like to toe the line.

Looking for a low-risk crowd-pleaser under ten bucks? During our review, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza won over mixed-age groups with fast-paced rules you can teach in seconds, and the compact deck slips into any bag for travel or office parties. The slap-style mechanics are hilarious but can be rough for very young kids and the standard card stock wears quickly with heavy play. We suggest a soft tabletop and optional sleeves if you expect marathon rounds.

If your Dirty Santa crowd likes chaos, Throw Throw Burrito turns a card game into a foam‑food duel in minutes. In our testing, the rules clicked fast and the soft squishy burritos kept the action safe for most ages. You’ll need open space to avoid lamp casualties, and heavy use can scuff or split the plush burritos over time. It does get loud and rowdy, so save it for casual gatherings—not the boss’s dining room.

Hydration meets hype with the Stanley Quencher H2.0—a trendy pick your Dirty Santa circle will recognize. In our testing, ice stuck around for hours, the narrow base slid into car cup holders, and the handle made hauling larger capacities easier. The lid isn’t truly leak‑proof and can spill if tipped, and the straw/lid assembly takes a bit of scrubbing to clean. Filled with ice and water it gets heavy, so it’s great on desks and commutes, less so for long walks.