How to Play Secret Santa with Classmates
Learn how to organize a Secret Santa game at school, what to gift your classmates, and how to make the game fun and easy.
The MySanta platform automates the Secret Santa gift exchange. Every year, 100,000+ users play with us, so we are well-versed in all the Secret Santa tips & tricks and are excited to share them with you.
Whether it's elementary, middle, or high school, there are no limits to Secret Santa. If you're looking to have fun before the holidays, strengthen class bonds, and exchange Christmas gifts in a unique way, this game is for you.
What is Secret Santa
Secret Santa is a fun game of anonymous Christmas gift exchanging. It's played in many classrooms, student groups, and offices. Secret Santa adds a festive atmosphere to the school routine, enhances class cohesion, and ensures every student receives a Christmas gift.
The rules are simple: classmates draw names to find out who they will gift. One player gifts another while keeping their identity secret until the end of the game. Everyone ends up with a surprise and the joy of being part of the magic.
How to Invite Classmates to the Game
The easiest way to invite classmates to join Secret Santa is to gather everyone during a break or after classes and explain the rules. You could also send a message in a group chat.
Invitation Template
Hey all, Let's do Secret Santa this year!
What it is. Secret Santa is a Christmas game with simple rules. Each participant acts as Santa and secretly prepares a gift for another participant. In the end, everyone has the joy of preparing a surprise and receives a gift.
How to become a Secret Santa. We'll draw names on [Date and time] so everyone knows who they will gift.
What to give. You can give anything you think will delight your recipient. The gift budget is $5.
Where and how we will give gifts. All Secret Santas should bring their gifts to the Christmas party on [Date].
How to Draw Names at School
All participants gather in one place, say, the classroom, or school foyer. Each player writes their name on a piece of paper and places it in a box. Then, players take turns drawing names to find out to whom they will bring a gift.
If someone picks their own name, they should redo the draw. It's important for each player not to lose the name they got, so it's a good idea to photograph it or save it in phone notes. You can also write not just the name but also gift preferences.
What You Need for the Draw
- A separate room where all players can gather
- Pieces of paper or stickers
- A box or Christmas hat
- Pens or pencils.
What to Gift a Classmate for Secret Santa
First, consider any game rules you agreed upon with your classmates. If everyone chose to give handmade gifts, stick with the group. If purchased gifts are the choice, remember the budget.
Typically, a good budget for school Secret Santa is $5 to $10. This allows you to buy something nice for your recipient, such as stationery, art supplies, or treats.
If you're close to the person you've drawn, you'll probably think of a gift quickly. If not, feel free to use our suggestion table for some inspiration.
| Gift Ideas for Girls | Gift Ideas for Boys |
|---|---|
| Nail polish | Bookmarks |
| Miniature figurine | Notebook |
| Magnet set | Paints |
| Mug | Board game |
| Tea | Magnetic planner |
| Planner | Passport cover |
| Cosmetic bag | Lapel pins |
| Candle | Sticker set |
| Pass holder | Socks |
How to Give Secret Santa Gifts in Class
The simplest way is to coordinate with the teacher and leave all the labeled gifts on the teacher's desk on the designated day. Then, all students step out of the class while the teacher distributes the gifts on desks. When they return, each student will find a gift from their Secret Santa waiting for them. You can unwrap gifts publicly and share your experiences.
There are also many ways to exchange gifts with a twist:
White Elephant
This is a game version that doesn't require a name draw. Each student brings a gift that could appeal to and be useful for anyone in the class. The key is to wrap the gift so that no one can guess what's inside. All gifts are placed in one area where the players gather. Players take turns either opening a new gift or stealing an already opened one from another player.
Secret Santa with Challenges
The game principle is similar to the previous version: students choose a gift that could suit any player. However, to receive their Christmas surprise, each must complete a task.
| Task Ideas for School Secret Santa | |
|---|---|
| Give a minute-long festive speech that makes everyone laugh | Imitate how girls/boys behave getting ready in the morning at school |
| Sincerely compliment each classmate | Recreate a popular TikTok trend |
| Answer questions from every student | Give advice to your future self |
Invisible Secret Santa
Each Santa must not only buy a gift but also secretly place it on the classmate's desk. You can also create funny tasks for Santas caught "in the act."
How to Simplify Secret Santa Organization
Enhance your Christmas game experience with the MySanta app. Players can chat anonymously with their Santa and recipient, and name selection is automated, so no one loses the paper with the name.
The homeroom teacher or class president can track the name drawing results and remind forgetful Santas of their duties if needed. Another feature is exclusions. If there are conflicts in the class, you can set exclusions so one participant definitely won’t draw a specific other.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If Someone Doesn't Want to Participate?
Participation in Secret Santa should be voluntary, not forced. Try to gently find out why someone might not want to participate. It might be due to a high gift budget or concerns about drawing the name of a classmate they're not on good terms with. In the first case, adjust the game's terms a bit, and in the second, rearrange the draw with exclusions.
If the reasons are different, don't pressure the individual. It's okay if someone chooses not to join this year.
What if the Class Has an Odd Number of Students?
Having an even or odd number of participants doesn't matter for Secret Santa. Imagine all players in a circle, with each player giving a gift to the person on the right. Secret Santa works with 3+ players, but the more is usually better.
Can We Play Secret Santa Cross-Grade or Even School-Wide?
Definitely! The main thing is to have at least three players—the more participants, the better. If there are many players, consider using the MySanta app to organize the game. It simplifies the draw process and makes the game even more entertaining.
