How to Send Your Secret Santa Gift Anonymously?

An online Secret Santa game is a great way to spread holiday cheer and nurture connections with your loved ones, old friends, and remote coworkers. Below, we will show how to send a Secret Santa gift to the recipient and remain anonymous.

How do you set up a remote Secret Santa gift exchange?

To organize a Secret Santa gift exchange with people living far away, you need an online generator, like the MySanta app. Here’s how it works:

1. Create an online game in the app and invite players via email or link.
2. When everyone joins in, draw names to assign Secret Santas.
3. Each player prepares a gift for the assigned person and mails it to the recipient’s address without revealing themselves.

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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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A popular example of online gift exchange is the Reddit Secret Santa. The platform hosted a Secret Santa for 10 years, holding a three-time Guinness World Record for the world’s largest gift exchange. Celebrities, including Bill Gates, Wil Wheaton, and Snoop Dogg, also participated in the exchange.

Most popular ways to send gifts anonymously

When sending your gift, choose a shipping method so that you don’t reveal your identity. Here are a few main options to ship your gift anonymously:

1. Mailing your gift through a postal or delivery service without a return address so that you don’t reveal your identity.
2. Delivering the bought gift to the recipient’s address via the merchant’s delivery service.
3. Sending a digital gift.

Let’s review the most popular services that allow sending anonymous gifts.

USPS

You can send an anonymous gift package through the United States Postal Service (USPS). The simplest way to ship the gift without revealing yourself is to omit the return address on the package. Delivery time is from 1-3 business days for Priority Mail Express to up to 8 days for standard delivery.

For the available shipping options and detailed instructions, see the USPS website. Note that holiday delays occur, so it’s better to send your gift in advance.

The downside of this method is that you cannot track the package if you don’t include a return address. Therefore, you cannot be sure if the recipient got your gift unless they confirm receiving it in the MySanta app.

Amazon

You can choose a gift on Amazon and send it to the recipient without revealing yourself using their gift delivery option. In this case, Amazon will hide the price of the gift, add festive packaging, and let you attach a short personal message. Plus, your giftee will get a digital receipt.

Here’s how to send your Secret Santa gift anonymously on Amazon:

1. On the product page, check the box “Add a gift receipt for easy returns” and add the product to cart.
2. Go to checkout and check the box “This is a gift”.
3. Add the name and shipping address of the recipient.
4. Select “Choose gift options”. You can include a personal message to your giftee, add gift wrapping, and send the recipient a gift receipt after delivery.

The gift wrap feature includes adding a bag or box, depending on the item, decorative ribbon, and a printed gift message attached to the package. Wrapping is free of charge.

Standard shipping time across the US is 3-5 days and 1-2 days for Amazon Prime members. During holidays, delays are possible, so it is advisable to send your gift earlier. Global gift delivery can take up to 2 weeks.

Amazon gift cards are another great option. You can choose a physical or e-gift card delivered instantly via email or text. To keep it anonymous, consider using a separate email address and a generic name like Your Secret Santa not to reveal your identity. E-gift cards are possible to send internationally.

Order an anonymous gift from a retailer

Many US retailers offer anonymous delivery of gifts purchased from them. Here are the most popular options:

1. Target. A popular retailer offers anonymous gift delivery if you purchase an item from the person’s wish list on their website. You can add a personal message, and the company will deliver the gift to the recipient without revealing your phone number or email.
2. Walmart. Choose a gift in the online store (be sure to check the gift eligible box). Enter the recipient’s email and address, and Walmart will hide the price of the gift and let you add a message.
3. Sweetpost. The company will deliver gourmet chocolate with a pre-selected card to your recipient. A great present for a sweet tooth!

Remailing services

Companies like Rapidremailer.com will remail your gift to the recipient, giving you a different return address and not revealing you in any way. Thus, you can avoid security concerns, and if not delivered to the recipient, it will be returned to a remailing company. If you plan to send an expensive, valuable present, it is better to choose this option.

Other ways to send a gift without revealing yourself

To remain anonymous, you can send an electronic gift card or a gift box catered to the recipient’s interests. Here’s how to do this secretly:

E-gift cards and certificates

Sending an electronic certificate makes a great last-minute gift as it is delivered instantly. Plus, you can send it anonymously by using a separate email address and not using your real name. Most companies will also let you add a message with your best wishes.

Gift boxes

Sending a gift box is like killing two birds with one stone. There are gift boxes and subscriptions with books, fine wine, coffee/tea, sweets, gourmet products, and self-care items. Plus, the company will deliver it to the recipient on time without revealing your name. Some websites offer you the opportunity to create a custom gift basket for your Secret Santa recipients.

Here are some ideas for gift boxes and subscriptions for Secret Santa:

1. Joybox. Create a custom box that matches the interests of your recipient, and have it shipped anonymously to their address.
2. Adults & Crafts. A monthly subscription box to create easy Pinterest-worthy projects, with all materials and instructions included.
3. Shaker & Spoon box. A subscription box with cocktail recipes and all the ingredients to make them at home.
4. Happy hygge gifts. A wide selection of cozy care packages including candles, blankets, socks, cups, and everything for a warm evening at home. Custom boxes are also available.
5. Bellavinogiftbaskets. The website offers a selection of gift boxes and gift baskets with wine, chocolate, and snacks delivered to the address of your giftee anonymously.

Tips to send your gift and stay anonymous

With anonymous gift delivery options, you can easily get something nice for your giftee without revealing yourself. Here are some extra tips to avoid spoiling the mystery:

1. Handle all gift communication through the MySanta app. Don’t contact your giftee via messengers, email, or any other means of communication. Use the anonymous chat in the MySanta app if you want to ask your giftee about something or learn more about their gift preferences.
2. Don’t reveal yourself in a gift note. When attaching a note to your physical or digital gift, remember not to include your name or initials. Also, avoid bringing up any details or shared memories that will reveal you before time (such as the shared vacation you had last year).
3. Double-check the terms of delivery with a retailer. Please note that the terms of delivery and anonymity policies may change. Before you send a gift, double-check with a delivery service or a retail company that the gift you send will be delivered anonymously and the receiver will not know who sent it.
4. Send the gift in advance. Unless you plan to give an e-card, ship your present early to avoid holiday delays. You don’t want a situation where your giftee receives a present after Christmas.

With many ways of sending anonymous Secret Santa gifts, you can brighten the Christmas for your giftee without revealing yourself too early. Choose a shipping method that works best for you and send your gift early to avoid delays. Plan a video conference with your friends or coworkers to share emotions about gifts, stay in touch, and share appreciation at a distance.

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