When I started hunting secret santa gifts for coworkers, I kept tripping into the same trap: cute but useless junk that earns one fake smile and then vanishes into a drawer. I learned the hard way after gifting a novelty mug that nobody used—three polite smiles and one lonely mug later, I swore I’d pick something both funny and useful next time.
These Spakon 10-pack funny memo notepads showed up on my radar because they promise encouraging text and yoga-pattern designs that actually matter. Ten small books with different affirmations and calming yoga poses sounds like a weird combo, but it fixed the awkward-gift problem at my office Secret Santa in a way I didn’t expect.
Want a Secret Santa present that sparks a laugh, then becomes everyday handy instead of shelf clutter?
When I’d Actually Give This
I picked these up for an office Secret Santa where the rule was a small, useful gift. They worked because they hit three things my coworkers care about: practical use, a little personality, and low risk. If you need a last-minute office gift or a modest birthday pick for a colleague, these are ideal.
- Best for coworkers who love quick notes, grocery lists, or desk doodles.
- Great for women in the office who appreciate a tiny burst of self care during a hectic day.
- Also smart as a stocking stuffer, small birthday present, or part of a housewarming welcome basket where you want clutter-free, useful items.
The Details That Make It Gift Worthy
I pay attention to whether a gift looks great unwrapped and whether it survives real life. These notepads scored on both.
- Ten different styles – You get a variety of encouraging sentences on kraft-style pads, so the pack feels thoughtful instead of one-note.
- Affirmation and yoga designs – Each pad has a calming yoga action or pattern printed along with a short affirmation, which turns a sticky note into a small moment of cozy self care.
- Funny but functional – The humor is gentle; these are novelty notepads that still get used for everyday lists, messages, and reminders.
- Feels good to hand over – When unwrapped, the kraft paper and cute prints look intentional, not last-minute junk.
- Clutter-friendly – Small, stackable pads that sit on a desk or in a drawer rather than taking over a shelf.
Mistakes I See People Make With Gifts Like This
- Buying purely for the joke – If the gag overshadows usefulness, it becomes a drawer item. These avoid that by being genuinely usable.
- Choosing one bland design – A single style can feel impersonal. A 10-pack with varied affirmations feels curated.
- Ignoring the recipient’s desk space – Big, bulky items become clutter. These small pads are desk-friendly for busy recipients.
- Wrapping it terribly – A thrown-together wrap makes even a thoughtful gift look cheap. Presentation matters, and I’ll show you how I wrap these below.
Simple Ways I Make This Gift Feel Special
I don’t just toss the pads into a bag. I add tiny, cheap touches that punch above their weight. Here’s my go-to five-step plan that made coworkers smile and actually use the pads the next day.
- Pick a favorite pad – Remove one notepad from the pack and tuck it on top so the recipient sees the funny or encouraging line first.
- Add a handwritten note – A two-line note saying why you thought of them makes this feel personal instead of a random pick.
- Wrap in kraft paper – Matches the pad aesthetic and looks intentional. Tie with twine or a bright ribbon for contrast.
- Slip in a pen – Nothing is more immediate than giving something the recipient can use right away. A simple black pen does the trick.
- Place it on their desk or hand it over at the party – Presentation matters. One-on-one handoffs feel more sincere than dropping it on a gift table.
If You’re Hesitating, Read This First
I had the same doubts before I bought these, so I’ll be blunt about the common ones I hear and how they played out for me.
- Will they actually use this? Yes. Within 24 hours I saw a coworker using a pad to list meeting talking points. These became everyday tools, not dust collectors.
- Is it too basic or too silly? It walks the line well. The humor is subtle and paired with affirmations, so it reads as thoughtful rather than juvenile.
- Is it personal enough? The variety inside makes it easy to pick a pad that resonates for a specific recipient – coffee lover, stressed project manager, or the office planner.
- What if they already have something similar? Because it’s a 10-pack with different designs, you’re likely giving variety they don’t already own. Even if they have sticky notes, these feel special and gift-like.
- Is it clutter-friendly? Absolutely. Each pad is small, so it fits into a drawer, planner, or desk tray without creating unwanted clutter.
I put these Spakon notepads on my go-to gift list because they solve the biggest Secret Santa problem – they make someone smile and then get used. They work for coworkers, as small birthday treats, or as thoughtful extras in a housewarming or baby shower gift basket.
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