How to Host a Memorable Secret Santa Game with Family

Every year, the users of the MySanta service tell us about heartwarming family traditions and unique ways to celebrate the holiday season.

One popular holiday tradition is the Secret Santa game. Here’s how to easily organize the game for your relatives so that everyone can enjoy it.

Organizing the Game with Family

The main idea of the Secret Santa game is to exchange gifts anonymously. Each participant becomes a little magician, secretly preparing a gift for another player. This game is a great way to get to know your family members better and to save on gifts.

Here are the steps involved in organizing the game:

• Find participants — First and foremost, decide who will play. It can be your nuclear family or extended family plus close friends. The minimum number of players is three, and the maximum is unlimited. The more participants, the better.
• Set a budget — It is important to discuss the gift budget in advance to avoid any awkward situations and to ensure everyone is comfortable. Set the price limit for gifts. If children are participating, decide how they will acquire their gifts or set a rule that all gifts must be handmade.
• Choose the date and location — Decide on a convenient date for exchanging gifts, which can be Christmas Eve or any other day that works for your family members. Gifts can be exchanged at home or in a café. If participants are joining remotely and sending gifts by mail, you can arrange a video call to share the joy of unwrapping and guessing.

How to Introduce Secret Santa to Your Family

You can introduce the game to your family in various ways: either in person to each member, to everyone at a family gathering, or via a group chat. If children are involved, you can add an element of surprise: hang a letter from Santa on the fridge at night, open the kitchen window, and make boot prints using flour or artificial snow.

How to Draw Names in the Family

You can assign Secret Santas using traditional drawing, quick draw, or the MySanta online service. Let’s look at each method closer.

Draw Names with a Hat

The whole family gathers around a table. Each person writes their name on a piece of paper and drops it into a box or hat. Then, everyone takes turns pulling out a name to find out who they will be gifting.

If someone draws their own name, a redraw is necessary. It’s important for each player to keep their name slip so they don't forget their recipient.

Quick Draw in Secret Santa Game

If your family is small, you can use a phone or computer to visit the MySanta website, select the "Quick Game" option, and enter the names of all participants. If everyone is present, each person can approach the device to see who they will give a gift to. If gathering isn’t possible, you can send the draw results via email or any messaging app.

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.

Start

How to Organize the Game With Family on a Distance

You can play Secret Santa with distant relatives who live in other towns or even countries.

One participant needs to create an online game and invite players via email or a special link. Once everyone has joined, the game organizer draws names, and the system randomly assigns Secret Santas. Each family member will receive an notification revealing who they will be gifting.

The service also allows you to create wishlists, track gifts, and chat with your Santa in a secret chat.

Secret Santa Game Rules in the Family

Playing this popular holiday game is simple. But two important rules must be followed.

• Secrecy. Santas must try not to reveal their identities until the very end of the game. You must not disclose yourself to your recipient or share with others who is gifting whom.
• Voluntary participation. Participation cannot be forced. If there's a teenager in the family who is reluctant, it's better not to insist and instead lead by example, showing that playing Secret Santa is easy and fun. Maybe next year they will choose to join on their own initiative.

How to Add a Twist to the Family Game

To keep things interesting and simple, every participant can create a wishlist. This helps the Santa choose the right gift. You can also establish specific gift themes in advance.

For example:

• eco-friendly — gifts made from recycled materials
• hobbies — gifts catering to interests
• emotions — gifts that make you laugh or move you
• health — useful items for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Also Read:

14 Fun family Christmas party ideas and activities

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How to Give Gifts in Family Secret Santa

The moment of gift-giving should be the highlight of the evening! All participants place their signed gifts under the tree in advance, and then one family member ceremoniously distributes them. Add an element of fun: each person can open their gift one by one, trying to guess their Santa based on clues or the type of gift.

It's also important to unwrap gifts together and share your impressions. The positive emotions from unexpected surprises bring the family closer together. Don’t forget to capture these joyful moments. Photos create memories of your time together and make a great addition to your family album.

After exchanging gifts, spend some time discussing what everyone enjoyed about the game — this could become a wonderful tradition for years to come.

Conclusion

Organizing a Secret Santa for the family is a fun way to create a festive atmosphere and strengthen bonds with loved ones. By following these steps, you can make this process as enjoyable and smooth as possible for all participants. May the holiday season bring you joy, warmth, and genuine smiles!

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