Gift Exchange Reinvented: 7 Fun Alternatives to Secret Santa at Work

Gift exchange games are a tradition in many offices. However, you don’t have to stick to a classic Secret Santa exchange – there are lots of fun options to try! Explore these alternatives to share the joy of giving and bring your office team closer.

Why exchange Christmas gifts in the office?

Giving Christmas gifts is a long-standing tradition, but there’s more to that. If you feel overwhelmed by Secret Santa, there is no reason to skip the gift exchange completely. Here are some advantages of organizing a workplace gift exchange:

1. It provides performance improvement. According to research, gift exchanges between team members lead to increased performance and help improve teamwork.
2. It boosts engagement. Team-building activities, including gift exchange games, improve employee morale, strengthen workplace relationships, and foster a sense of camaraderie, which might lead to higher retention in the long run.
3. It makes people happier. Neuroscientists state that giving and receiving gifts stimulates dopamine in our brain, which makes us feel better.

7 Lighthearted alternatives to Secret Santa in the office

Without further ado, let’s move on to the list of fun alternatives to the Secret Santa exchange with coworkers.

Reimagined Secret Santa

Why it’s worth trying: When a traditional Secret Santa no longer sounds inspiring, giving the game a twist can create a lot of fun and excitement. The great thing about Secret Santa is that you can tweak the rules so they suit the needs of your group.

Fun Secret Santa variations

1. Themed Secret Santa. In this Secret Santa variation, players choose a gift theme that appeals to the interests of the group. Here are some ideas: Cozy winter comfort, Desk upgrade, Tech gadgets, or Movie night. Everyone brings a gift that matches the theme and meets the gift budget.
2. Bad Santa. Set a low gift budget and encourage everyone to bring the most ridiculous, silly, and useless gifts they can find. Award the weirdest present. This variation takes off the pressure of choosing a nice gift and prioritizes a good laugh.
3. Secret Santa with storytelling. This team-building activity is great for strengthening connections. Each player brings a gift for the assigned coworker as usual, and attaches a short message about the recipient. It can be a compliment about the giftee’s style or skills, a workplace anecdote, or a comment on why they will appreciate the gift. It makes the gift exchange more heartwarming and personal.
4. Secret Santa with wishlists. According to Reddit users, the biggest concern about workplace gift exchanges is getting a subpar, low-quality gift. Using wishlists can eliminate this issue.

To exchange presents with wishlists, you can use the MySanta organizer. Here’s how it works: each player adds links to specific items from online stores (within the agreed price limit). Other participants must choose and bring something from their wishlist. It eliminates guessing and helps minimize low-effort gifts, and everyone on the team will get something they want.

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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White Elephant

Why it’s worth trying: If your team wants something spicier and funnier than exchanging tea mugs and hand cream sets, organize the White Elephant. This game prioritizes gag gifts and stealing, and will work perfectly for less formal and startup-like workplace environments.

How it works: Ask players to bring gifts of the same value to the office. Gifts are placed under the Christmas tree or on the desk where everyone can see them. Each player draws a number to determine the order in which they will unwrap gifts. 

The first player picks any gift from the pile. The second person now has a choice: to unwrap any present or to steal the opened one from the first player. The player whose gift is stolen can unwrap a new gift or steal from any other player (usually, one or two rounds of stealing are allowed). The first player then has one chance to steal an open gift.

Also Read:

White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas & Game Rules

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Mystery Gift Bags

Why it’s worth trying: Gift Bags is a low-pressure gift exchange idea for any work environment. Players don’t bring personalized gifts, so the stress of choosing something the person will like is eliminated.

How it works: Give each participant an identical paper bag. Each player fills the bag with sweet treats, small gifts, and surprise items, and brings it back to the office. On the exchange day, players draw numbers and then randomly pick a gift bag from the pile. The element of mystery adds excitement, plus the team can get creative with filling their bag.

Santa’s Casino

Why it’s worth trying: If the year-end corporate trip to Las Vegas is off the table, why not recreate the casino atmosphere in the office? Each player receives a gift plus a chance to win a substantial amount of money, which creates a thrilling festive experience for your team.

How it works: Participants bring gifts of the same amount (say, $15) and also contribute $5 or $10 to the bank. To make the game more competitive, the company can match the contribution. All wrapped gifts are placed on the table where players can see them. Each player has three options:

1. Take any wrapped gift from the table.
2. Put their name in the jar to compete for the jackpot.
3. Put their name in another jar to win all the gifts left unclaimed at the table.

Options 2 and 3 are riskier, but the reward is usually worth the competition. Have a few small presents at hand for players who put their names in the jars but didn’t win so that nobody leaves the party empty-handed.

Recipe Exchange Party

Why it’s worth trying: A recipe exchange party can bring coworkers from diverse backgrounds together as they share recipes from their culture and tell cooking anecdotes. Plus, it’s a cost-effective way to celebrate Christmas with coworkers, as people only need to bring a recipe and a dish.

How it works: Each team member brings a recipe and a ready dish for the potluck. You may choose a theme, such as Italian dinner or Christmas around the world, or encourage people to bring whatever they like. Discuss in advance what kind of dish each person will bring to avoid a situation where half the team brings pastry and no one brings the main course. Ask people to tell a story connected with their favorite dish.

Gift by Number

Why it’s worth trying: A simple gift exchange for the office with an element of surprise. It is perfect if you want to quickly distribute gifts to coworkers and focus on other team-building activities.

How it works: Each player brings a wrapped gift not intended for a particular person. Gifts must be of the same amount. Then, gifts are labeled with numbers. Players draw numbers from the hat to see who receives each gift. If the player gets his gift number, he draws a number again.

Charity Pooling

Why it’s worth trying: Giving to a local charity is a meaningful alternative to the traditional gift exchange. Moreover, it provides the opportunity for team bonding and completely relieves the pressure of choosing and buying gifts for coworkers.

How it works: Team members contribute a charity donation to the fund. Then, all the participants vote to choose where the donation goes. The company can double the amount for a more substantial contribution.

Tip: Combine the donation with charitable team activities. Collect toys or clothes, visit a nursing home, work at the soup kitchen, or help at an animal shelter. Christmas is the time to give to others, and sharing such a meaningful activity with coworkers will strengthen the ties and improve teamwork.

With an extensive list of Secret Santa alternatives for the office, you can choose a gift exchange activity that suits your corporate culture and team dynamics. Whether you choose something fun and lighthearted or creative and whimsical, these activities can spread holiday cheer and help team bonding in the next year.

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