How do you make your Secret Santa gift look so much more?

Don’t buy tat. Buy the biggest bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk you can for the money.

But check that they aren't vegan/diabetic/allergic/on a diet/hate chocolate first...

It's not so hard to do a bit of research into what someone might like even if you barely know them. Ideas:
- look at what they wear every day, do they have a preferred "colour scheme"? If so - a pair of gloves, a scarf, a tie in those colours is a safe--ish plan (I almost always do this)
- Have a nose at their desk. Is there hand cream there? A plant? Photos of pets? A calendar? Travel photos? A cafetiere? herbal teabags? This can be a good insight into interests and preferred brands.
- start a conversation about Christmas food and drink. You'll soon find out if someone has anything they really love or really hate (and you get a chance to shoehorn in your own preferences!)
- However, if no evidence to contrary assume everyone is vegan, diabetic,gluten free, allergic to nuts and teetotal. It saves you wasting money on something someone can't enjoy.
- houseplants or seeds and a nice pot are a good present for a wide range of people. Herbs and chilli plants are good for keen cooks. Cacti make pretty cool desk buddies for all genders.
- nice notebooks and stationery are a safe bet. Everyone needs a pen and paper at some point, so why not give them a nice one?
- Unless you know for certain someone loves a particular brand, scent or product, avoid toiletries. Most people are quite fussy about what they put on their skin!
- Unless you know the person really well and are sure they'll find it hilarious, forget "joke" presents. They are almost always embarrassing and just end up as landfill.

The best secret santa I ever got was a vegan recipe book. Thoughtful and useful.