Cheap gift for a work colleague

I do this every year too and I can tell you from experience that 15€ is a pretty comfortable budget to find something nice. The trick is to play it safe, so nobody ends up disappointed. I'd go for something for daily use that the person will actually use, like a good pen holder, a decent thermal bottle (there are some really cool ones at that price in stores like Decathlon), or even a nice personal hygiene kit - gel, soap, that kind of thing. The upside is that nobody gets offended by it and everyone needs this stuff. Another really safe option is a small book that's a bestseller or funny, and you can easily find one for 15€.

But if you want something more thoughtful, you can go to gift shops or even Shein (yeah, I know it takes forever but if you have time) and grab a pretty neutral accessory - a cool keychain, a desk organizer, or even one of those artisanal snack kits they're selling around. The important thing is that it looks presentable and useful. I've given stuff like that before and nobody ever complained, you know? Just avoid anything too specific that you don't know if the person likes, like perfume or clothes, because that can definitely go wrong.

Oh, and a tip from someone who works on the street delivering packages all day: a nice mug or a small puzzle also works well. People appreciate these simple things. Good luck with your Secret Santa!