"Something That Makes You Smile" is the warmest, most human Monito Monita theme. It asks the gift-giver to think not about category or texture or color — but about what truly brings the recipient joy. A smile can be triggered by humor, nostalgia, beauty, surprise, taste, or genuine thoughtfulness. The best gifts in this category are the ones that make someone laugh, sigh happily, or feel unexpectedly known.
This guide gives you 100 gift ideas for the "Something That Makes You Smile" Monito Monita theme, organized by type of joy they bring, with tips on choosing by personality, budget breakdowns, and creative presentation ideas.
What is Monito Monita?
Monito Monita is the Filipino Secret Santa tradition, popular at Christmas office parties, school events, and family gatherings. Each participant draws a name and gives themed gifts to that person each week until a final reveal party. The "Something That Makes You Smile" theme is a personal favorite among participants because it invites genuine creativity — there's no single "right" answer, only gifts chosen with the recipient truly in mind.
100 Something That Makes You Smile Monito Monita Gift Ideas
Funny and humorous gifts (1-15)
- Novelty "CEO of Overthinking" mug
- Funny quote socks ("If you can read this, bring me coffee")
- Sarcastic desk sign or mini chalkboard
- Toilet humor joke book
- Office bingo card with relatable workplace phrases
- Funny enamel pin ("I Survived Another Meeting")
- Custom "emotional support" water bottle sticker
- Face of a celebrity printed on practical item (like a sponge)
- Funny Tagalog slogan mug ("Ano ba 'yan!" or "Nag-iipon na 'ko")
- Horoscope mug with funny spin ("Pisces: Crying at random times")
- Relatable postcard or print ("I need a day between Saturday and Sunday")
- "Professional Procrastinator" enamel badge
- Funny notepad ("Today's Mood: 😑")
- Novelty soap shaped like a food item
- A box of "Adulting Is Hard" candy
Nostalgic and childhood-inspired gifts (16-30)
- Polvoron in classic packaging
- Milk candy (Tango, White Rabbit, Haw Flakes)
- Lucky Me! Pancit Canton (classic comfort food)
- Vintage Filipino candy assortment (Choc-nut, Tootsie Roll, Flat Tops)
- Jacks set (classic Filipino yard game)
- Small kaleidoscope
- Mini bubbles set
- Sticker album or sticker collection book
- Jackstone game set
- Old-school Chinese garter set
- Mini yoyo
- Rubber band ball
- Vintage-style tin toy
- Clapping toy (handheld clapper)
- Childhood snack gift box (compiled by the giver)
Cute and wholesome gifts (31-45)
- Capybara plushie (the ultimate "chill" animal for online culture)
- Frog plushie with tiny accessories
- Duckling or chick plushie
- Dog breed plushie matching the recipient's pet
- Printable "You Are Amazing" affirmation card set
- Smiley face anything (mug, pin, notebook)
- Animal-shaped eraser set
- Mini succulent in a cute pot with a pun label ("Succulent Love You!")
- Bunny ear headband
- Hug coupon booklet (handmade or printed)
- Pet portrait custom sticker (if they have a pet)
- Cute letter set for writing
- Mini cloud-shaped pillow
- Smiley cookie or biscuit
- "I Rooting for You" plant with a cactus
Comfort food and sweet treats (46-60)
- Premium chocolate in a pretty box
- Red velvet cookie or brownie
- Strawberry shortcake or mochi
- Cheesecake bite set
- Artisan popcorn (truffle, cheddar, caramel)
- Salted caramel candy
- Macarons in pastel colors
- Filipino dessert sampler (palitaw, kalamay, suman)
- Korean snack box (Pepero, Choco Pie, Honey Butter chips)
- Matcha latte mix or coffee sampler
- Hot chocolate mix in a mug kit
- Taho delivery voucher or taho setup ingredients
- Ice cream or gelato gift card
- Customized "happy" cookie with iced smiling face
- Local pastry from the best shop in your area
Music and entertainment (61-70)
- Spotify or Netflix gift card
- Customized playlist (shared via QR code or USB)
- Mini Bluetooth speaker in fun color
- Enamel pin of their favorite band or artist
- Concert or event ticket (small local gig or comedy show)
- Karaoke mic for phone (mini)
- CD of their favorite artist (if they collect physical media)
- Funny novelty song on a custom greeting card that plays music
- Small musical instrument (ukulele tuner, mini harmonica)
- Movie ticket for two (voucher)
Self-care and beauty with a smile (71-80)
- Sheet mask shaped like a cat face or bear face
- "Happy Hormones" bath bomb
- Lip gloss in a cute character-shaped case
- Pampering gift set in a fun pouch with a joke on it
- Gummy vitamin supplement with smile branding
- "You Glow Girl" face oil
- Cheerful yellow or pink body mist
- Sleep mask with "Do Not Disturb" printed on it
- Nail wrap set with smiley face or flower prints
- Headband with bear ears for skincare routine
Personal and heartfelt gifts (81-90)
- Handwritten letter telling them 5 things you appreciate about them
- A small printed photo of a shared memory
- Custom name or initial keychain
- Custom illustrated portrait (ordered from a local artist)
- A book that changed your life, with a personal note inside
- Journal with a motivational quote on the cover
- "Open When" letter set (Open When Stressed, Open When Happy, etc.)
- A certificate making them "Official Best Person" (handmade, funny)
- Birthday countdown calendar if their birthday is near
- Personalized star map print (from their birthdate or a meaningful date)
Plants and living gifts that spark joy (91-95)
- Mini sunflower pot (real or artificial)
- Happy face air plant (tillandsia in a smiley pot)
- Succulent arrangement in a "Smile" labeled pot
- Smiling cactus (look for varieties shaped like happy faces)
- Seed kit with a "Grow Something Happy" label
Experiences and activities (96-100)
- Coffee date voucher (hand-written "Treat you to one coffee" card)
- Cooking or baking class voucher
- Photo booth session voucher at a local studio
- Movie marathon night kit (popcorn + candy + blanket + movie card)
- A custom made friendship bingo card based on their life
How to choose the right "smile" gift by personality
The humorous coworker — Go for the funny mug, sarcastic desk sign, or novelty socks. They'll laugh and actually use it.
The nostalgia lover — Filipino childhood candy and snacks, a vintage toy, or a polvoron collection hits a deep emotional chord. Filipinos are deeply nostalgic for childhood sweets.
The beauty enthusiast — A cute animal-face sheet mask, character lip gloss case, or cheerful body mist feels fun and on-theme.
The sentimental type — A handwritten letter, a printed shared photo, or a personalized "open when" letter set makes them smile in a deeper, more lasting way.
The foodie — Premium chocolate, macarons, artisan popcorn, or a local pastry from their favorite bakery will always work.
The homebody — A cozy movie marathon kit, a funny desk item, or a small plant with a punny label brings joy without pressure.
Filipino context: what makes Filipinos smile
Filipinos smile a lot — and with good reason. Humor, warmth, and shared joy are central to Filipino social life. The Monito Monita tradition itself is built around collective delight.
For Filipinos, nostalgic childhood snacks reliably produce smiles — Choc-nut, Flat Tops, White Rabbit, taho, and halo-halo are emotional shorthand for comfort and belonging. A gift that invokes childhood is a gift that touches the heart.
Filipino humor is also deeply relatable: the struggle of adulting, the exhaustion of traffic, the drama of family gatherings, the comfort of good food. Gifts that acknowledge these shared experiences with humor — a "Professional Procrastinator" mug, a sarcastic Tagalog quote print — resonate broadly.
Budget guide for "Something That Makes You Smile" Monito Monita
| Budget | Best options |
|---|---|
| ₱50-₱100 | Funny mug, novelty socks, childhood candy set, mini plushie |
| ₱100-₱200 | Sheet mask, artisan popcorn, cute stationery, music gift card |
| ₱200-₱300 | Macarons, premium chocolate, personalized keychain, book |
| ₱300-₱500 | Star map print, custom portrait, concert ticket, movie date kit |
Where to buy "Something That Makes You Smile" gifts in the Philippines
- Shopee — novelty mugs, funny items, custom keychains, plushies
- Miniso — cute stationery, funny accessories, animal face masks
- National Bookstore — funny cards, sticker books, journals, pens
- Local bakeries and pastry shops — custom smiling cookies, macarons, pastries
- Instagram and Facebook shops — custom portraits, personalized prints, OWL letters
- SM Supermarket — childhood Filipino snacks, chocolate, comfort food
Frequently asked questions
What's the best "something that makes you smile" gift for someone you don't know well?
A nostalgic Filipino snack box, a funny but universal mug, or a small cheerful plant are all great for people you don't know well — they're broadly relatable and hard to get wrong.
Is humor always appropriate for Monito Monita?
Generally yes, but read the room. Humor works best in casual groups (barkada, school, fun offices). In more formal or senior workplaces, lean toward wholesome and cheerful rather than overtly sarcastic.
Can food gifts "make someone smile" enough to qualify for this theme?
Absolutely. A childhood candy assortment, premium chocolate, or the specific pastry you know they love is an intentional gift that absolutely triggers joy. Food is one of the most emotionally resonant gifts in Filipino culture.
What if my recipient is going through a difficult time?
Choose something quietly comforting rather than loudly funny: a heartfelt handwritten note, their favorite snack, a self-care set, or a book with a personal message inside. Sometimes the best smile comes from knowing someone noticed what you needed.
Can I give an experience instead of a physical gift?
Yes — and for the "something that makes you smile" theme, experiences are often the most powerful gifts. A "coffee date on me" card, movie tickets, a baking class, or a personalized activity (spa voucher, paintball, karaoke session) creates a memory, not just a momentary smile.
Creative presentation ideas for smile-themed gifts
The presentation can be as joyful as the gift itself:
Smiley face wrap. Draw or stamp large smiley faces on kraft paper before wrapping. Use yellow ribbon. Stack a yellow balloon on top.
Hidden note surprise. Tuck multiple small notes inside the gift box between layers of tissue paper. Each note says something funny or sweet. The recipient finds them one by one while unwrapping.
Surprise box. Fill the bottom of a box with their favorite candy or snacks, hide the actual gift in the middle, and layer more candy on top. When they open the "candy box," they discover a gift inside.
Photo card. Include a printed photo of a funny or meaningful shared memory as the gift card. For close friends, this photo alone can produce the biggest smile of the evening — and it becomes a keepsake long after the actual gift is used.
Scavenger hunt. Leave clues around the exchange venue (or send digital clues beforehand) leading to the gift. The entire process of solving the clues becomes the joy, with the gift as the reward. This works especially well for barkada exchanges where everyone knows each other well.