Can Secret Santa Work With an Odd Number: Tips & Rules Explained

Organize a Secret Santa with any number of players! Today, we explain how Secret Santa works with an odd number, how to organize a gift exchange for small and large groups, and how to make your gift exchange memorable. 

Can you play Secret Santa with an odd number? 

The Secret Santa is a popular tradition that works perfectly well with an odd number of players. You don’t need an even number, as matches are not assigned in pairs. The game is based on a circular pattern. Imagine all players sitting in a circle, and every player gives a present to the person on their right side. 

Here’s how it works for five players: 

• Alison gives a present to Brady
• Brady gives a present to Cindy
• Cindy gives a present to Dave
• Dave gives a present to Ethon
• Ethon gives a present to Alison.

Thus, no matter if you have an odd or even number of players, the gift exchange will work smoothly if you plan everything right. 

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How many participants do you need for a Secret Santa exchange? 

You need a minimum of 3 players for the game to work, although the recommended minimum is at least 4 players to add the mystery. The Secret Santa game works for any group size: 

• 4-9 players: Smaller gift exchanges are popular within families and for groups of close friends. Such a game is easy to manage, yet it is still fun as long as everyone keeps things secret! You can draw names from the hat or use a quick Secret Santa generator to assign Santas instantly without email. 
• 10-15 players: This is the ideal number of players to organize a fun and exciting group activity! At this point, you might want to use an online generator like MySanta to streamline the exchange and ensure that no one is left out. 
• 16+ players: Secret Santa works perfectly for large groups, such as corporate gift exchanges. Yet, it’s essential to use a game organizer to keep track of gifts, manage game communication, and share gift preferences as people might not know each other well. 

Secret Santa gift exchange works for every group size if you set clear rules and manage the process to ensure everyone receives a present. 

How to organize a gift exchange with an odd number of participants 

Here’s how to host a Secret Santa exchange seamlessly. 

Draw names 

Traditionally, people draw names from the hat or a Christmas stocking to assign players. However, this method only works for smaller groups and has limitations. For example, people can draw their own name or forget for whom they should buy a present. 

The solution is using an online Secret Santa generator. For example, in the MySanta app, you can invite players using a QR code and draw names in a second. The host can track gifts, communicate with everyone in the group, and set exceptions if necessary. 

Here are more benefits of using the online generator: 

1. Share gift preferences. Players can specify what gifts they would like to receive as they join the game. Thus, their Santa will see gift suggestions and can choose a great gift. 
2. Host multiple games. Organize separate games with your family, coworkers, and friends, and manage all exchanges in one place. 
3. Chat secretly. Each Santa can talk to their giftee anonymously and ask more about their preferences, wishes, and expectations to choose a gift that makes the person happier. 

Set gift budget 

To keep the exchange fair, always set the gift budget and communicate it to the group. The common budget for Secret Santa is between $15 and $30, but everything depends on the group. If your friends or coworkers are comfortable spending more, then be it. 

Moreover, clarifying the budget will help avoid frustrating situations when a player gives a nice present to a coworker and receives a cheap mug or a pair of socks.

Establish rules and guidelines 

Setting clear Secret Santa rules and guidelines is essential for a smooth and fun gift exchange. Here’s what you’ll want to do when planning your gift exchange: 

1. Make sure everyone knows the rules. It will do any harm to remind the game rules to everyone, as there might be people who are not quite familiar with the game. Use this article as a reference for Secret Santa rules. 
2. Set deadlines. Specify when everyone should buy their gifts. Discuss how you will exchange presents (in person or virtually), and the time and date of the party. 
3. Choose a gift theme. Set the gift theme, for example, tech gifts, household gifts, or DIY gifts, depending on the interests of your group. It will encourage creativity in players. 
4. Set exceptions. If some people in your group don’t get along well, set them as exceptions so they don’t give to each other. You can also use this function to exclude couples. 
5. Gifts to avoid. For workplace gift exchanges, clarify what presents not to give, for example, used items, personal hygiene items, underwear garments, medications or supplements, etc. 

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Make wishlists 

Wishlists make gift exchanges much easier, as you don’t have to rack your brain trying to choose a gift for the other participant. You can simply browse their gift preferences and choose a specific item.  

In our MySanta app, each player has a Wishlist and can add links to items they want from online stores. It makes picking presents much easier for every Santa, and everyone can get exactly what they want for Christmas. 

Plan a fun reveal 

Secret Santa is much more fun when you plan a reveal party where everyone guesses their Secret Santa and celebrate together. Each participant unwraps the gift and finds out who it came from. A lot of laughter is guaranteed! 

Here’s how to make the Secret Santa reveal more fun: 

1. Secret Santa with clues: Participants bring wrapped presents with clues about the Secret Santa’s identity. The recipients read the clue or solve the puzzle to find out their Santa. 
2. Secret Santa trivia: Each player answers a trivia question before unwrapping their gift. If they answer wrong, they get a funny punishment to complete. 
3. Secret Santa photo guessing: Players bring their childhood or funny photos. Each giftee has to guess their Secret Santa based on the photo. 

Secret Santa is a wonderful Christmas gift exchange game that works for an odd and even number of participants. It promotes the joy of giving and is always a lot of fun, no matter the number of players. With our MySanta platform, you can streamline your gift exchanges and ensure that everyone gets a good present and a stress-free holiday. 

Try our MySanta app

You can create wishlists, add exclusions, and communicate with your gifree secretly. Moreover, there is an option to track gifts and ensure that everyone buys a present on time.

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