Secret Santa Rules: Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing the Game
Secret Santa is widely played in a family circle, with friends, coworkers, and online communities. In this guide, you will find the ultimate Secret Santa rules for a successful game. Learn how to do Secret Santa in person and online, explore popular game variations, and find creative gift ideas.
What is Secret Santa and how to play?
Secret Santa is a beloved gift-exchange tradition that has its roots in many cultures of the world. Each participant gives a present to another player without revealing who they are. Upon receiving the gifts, players guess their Secret Santa, which is often accompanied by laughter and fun. Plus, it is a great way to save on gifts, as each player gives a thoughtful gift to one person.
Today, the Secret Santa tradition has extended beyond Christmas. People play gift exchange games on Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, New Year’s Eve parties, and on special occasions and corporate events. It gives a festive twist to any holiday, creating a sense of suspense and mystery.
What are the origins of the Secret Santa exchange?
The tradition of clandestine gifting has its roots in various cultures, from Scandinavia’s «Julklapp» custom of leaving unseen gifts to German folklore’s gift-delivering elves aiding Santa Claus.
The recent origins of Secret Santa are attributed to philanthropist Larry Dean Stewart. He came up with the idea of anonymous gift-giving and started a new holiday tradition. Over 26 years, he donated around $1.3 million until he revealed his identity in 2006.
The users of the Reddit platform popularized anonymous giving by organizing the largest Secret Santa exchange in the world.
How Does the Secret Santa Work? Three Ways to Play a Popular Game
Traditional Secret Santa rules with a hat
The Secret Santa game has many variations, but the basic rules remain unchanged. Here is how a Secret Santa works:
- Gather all participants together. Everyone writes their name on a piece of paper with a few ideas of gifts they’d like to get from Secret Santa.
- Set the rules. For a successful game, agree on the price limit for gifts, date, and place of gift exchange. Set the theme for gifts and other details of the celebration.
- Draw names from the hat. All participants draw names and find out for whom they should get a gift.
- Plan the gift exchange. Set the date and place where everyone will bring their presents. Each participant brings a wrapped gift with a recipient’s name on it, and puts it under the Christmas tree.
- Let the fun begin! Everyone unwraps their gifts and guesses who their Secret Santa is. You can add a clue to your present to add a touch of mystery and puzzle the recipient!
Playing in person is a wonderful Christmas tradition. However, with today’s remote employees and families living in different countries, meeting in person is not always possible. With online Secret Santa generators, you can seamlessly set up the game online and share the joy of gift-giving.
How To Do an Online Secret Santa? 7 Simple Steps
Whether you want to exchange gifts in person or play with your dear ones on different continents, an online generator makes the process easy for everyone. You can use these Secret Santa rules for work, friends, and family gift exchanges. Here’s how to do online Secret Santa:
- Create a game and invite players. Send a link to all participants or invite them by email. All users need an email address to join.
- Set up the game. Add the budget for gifts, a theme for gift exchange (for example, everyone brings a book or a homemade present), and other details.
- Draw names. You can randomize the selection and set exceptions if some players don’t like each other. For example, Joe will not get a gift for July.
- All players share gift ideas and create wishlists. To learn more about the preferences of your giftee, talk to them in the anonymous chat.
- See if everyone has bought their gifts. The person who organized the game can see who bought a present and who didn’t. If some players are late with gifts, send them a kind reminder.
- Organize a festive gift exchange. If you celebrate in person, everyone brings a present and puts it under the Christmas tree. And, if you play remotely, set the day when everyone should send a gift by mail.
- The guessing game begins. People open presents and try to guess who has got them a gift. The timeless classic!
With an online generator, you can monitor the gift progress and see who bought the gift and who hasn't, and send reminders. Thus, everyone will receive a gift and you’ll avoid awkward moments.
How To Quickly Pick Names For Secret Santa Online
Quick Draw is a quick and convenient way to draw names for Secret Santa. It is perfect for small groups of up to 9 people. All you need is a laptop or a phone, no email is required.
- Click on the Quick Draw and go straight to the app. Enter the names of all players and click on Draw Names.
- Each player takes the phone to see to whom they need to get a present.
- If players are not located in one room, you can send links to each participant using any messenger. Thus, each participant will see for whom they will get a gift.
This method is quick and easy but has its downsides. Players cannot share their wishes with the Santas, and the game will only work for a small group of people.
Should you do Secret Santa Online vs. In Person? Pros and Cons
Traditionally, Secret Santa is played in person. Families, coworkers, or friends gather under the Christmas tree to exchange gifts and share holiday fun.
However, with today’s online Secret Santa generators, you can move away from drawing papers from the box. Add all players to an online generator, draw names instantly, and enjoy more helpful features. Here is how the traditional Secret Santa compares to our MySanta online generator:
Drawing names in person | Organizing the game using MySanta |
Draw names out of the hat | Draw names in one click online |
10-15 players can participate so that the game is comfortable for everyone | The number of players is not limited (companies with multiple offices can play) |
If the person draws his/her name, the draw starts over | Set exceptions if some players don’t get along well |
Communication between Santa and the gift recipient is not possible | Use anonymous chat to talk to your Secret Santa |
It’s difficult to choose a present that the person will like | Use a personal Wishlist and our recommendations to choose the perfect gift |
Monitoring the game so that everyone buys a present on time is not possible | Track the game progress and see which of the players haven’t bought a gift yet |
Fun Secret Santa Variations for Every Gathering
The Secret Santa game has many variations that add a touch of creativity to a traditional exchange. If you have played it many times in your life and are wondering how to play Secret Santa with a twist, you will surely want to try these versions of the game:
White Elephant
This game version introduces a competitive edge to the exchange, plus you don’t have to bring a designated gift for one particular person. Also known as Bad Santa, White Elephant encourages swapping and stealing gifts.
Here are the Bad Santa rules: players bring wrapped gifts of a certain value (say, $20), and then take turns to open gifts. Each player can open a new gift or steal it from someone else. The game continues until all gifts are opened.
Sneaky Santa
In this variation, participants must leave clues about their identity or the gift they are giving. Each player guesses their Santa or the gift before opening it, which adds an element of mystery and surprise. To make guessing more fun, try to avoid obvious clues such as the first letter of your name. Instead, write a short poem or something mysterious so that it’s not easy to understand who you are!
Naughty Santa
Just like the White Elephant, the Naughty Santa includes swapping and stealing. Yet, according to Naughty Santa rules, you can unwrap the gift and then decide if you want to keep it or swap it with someone. The catch is that you can only swap once, so choose carefully! The Naughty Santa exchange also encourages funny or even ridiculous gifts that will make everyone laugh.
Secret Casino Santa
This one will make a traditional gift exchange way more competitive! In Secret Casino, players bring gifts and contribute to a money pot. Each player has three options: a) pick a gift from the table, b) put their name in a hat and try to win the jackpot, and c) try to win all unchosen gifts. It creates an entertaining experience for everyone involved.
Conspiracy Santa
In this Secret Santa variation, participants unite to choose a gift for one player secretly. The number of such «conspiracies» matches the number of players, and everyone receives a gift from the entire team. Communication usually takes place through email or chat. This game is suitable for groups of students or small teams at work and is perfect for team-building as people get to know each other better.
Themed Secret Santa
As it goes from the name, people play traditional Secret Santa and bring themed gifts. For example, participants get books, gadgets, handmade gifts or self-care presents for each other.
Popular Secret Santa gift themes
- Fiction books
- Eco-friendly gifts
- DIY gifts
- Gifts that start with an A letter
- Practical presents
- Humorous gifts
- Hobby gifts
You can go further and host a themed Christmas celebration to give the holiday a unique twist. For example, Christmas game night, Winter Wonderland party, or Pajama party will give the holiday a unique twist and create lots of fun for everyone!
Play Secret Santa with every group
Secret Santa is a holiday classic, meaning that you can play it at holiday gatherings with family, friends, coworkers, and even online communities. Here is how to organize your Secret Santa gift exchange with every group.
Family
Christmas is a family holiday, so why not make the holiday season even more special and start a new tradition of exchanging gifts? Choose special, unique gifts for your loved ones to share joy and create heartwarming memories. The Secret Santa rules for family are the same: keep things secret until the gift exchange day.
Friends
Share the joy of giving and deepen connections with your friends this year! Doing Secret Santa online or in person is a great way to save on gifts and exchange meaningful presents without breaking the bank. Incorporate clues or do Secret Santa with a twist to have lots of fun and create memories that last.
Coworkers
Organizing the Secret Santa at work helps break the ice between coworkers, promotes teamwork, and puts everyone in a festive mood. You can exchange presents with your department, or host a company-wide Secret Santa and involve everyone!
With our MySanta service, you can organize the Secret Santa for 10, 100, or 1,000+ employees, both in-person and remotely. Remember that the rules of Secret Santa at work warn the players against bringing too personal or inappropriate gifts.
Classmates
Playing Secret Santa at school is a great way to foster friendship and celebrate the joy of giving. It encourages kids to get creative when choosing gifts for their assigned classmates. Kids can exchange fun stationery, toys, books, and school-related items, or bring handmade gifts. Plus, doing Secret Santa at the end of the term adds a festive break from studies and strengthens group bonds.
Online communities
Online Secret Santa with your community helps connect with others who share your interests, and the anonymity of gift-giving adds an element of surprise. With our MySanta service, you can set up a gift exchange and invite as many participants as you like. For remote gift exchanges, digital gifts or small, shippable items are the best option.
How to Do a Virtual Secret Santa?
A remote Secret Santa is a great way to celebrate the holiday season with family members or coworkers who live far away.
Here’s how to do Secret Santa remotely:
- Organize a game using an online service (for example, MySanta), draw names, and set a gift budget.
- Each player sends a gift by mail or using a delivery service.
- Choose the video conferencing platform and schedule a call.
- Each player unwraps the gift and attempts to guess their Secret Santa.
- Plan some online Christmas games to sparkle up the virtual gift exchange and share joy and emotions.
How to Reveal a Secret Santa: Creative Ways
Revealing your Secret Santa is the most exciting element of the gift exchange. Usually, each recipient opens a gift and guesses who gave it to them, but you can make the process more interactive and fun by adding clues and riddles.
4 Creative Ways to Reveal a Secret Santa
- Gift with clues – each player adds a note with clues about their identity. You can include a special message, a short poem, or a riddle to help the gift recipient guess who it is from.
- Photo matching – each Secret Santa attaches a small photo of themselves as a child, their favorite place, food, or else, and the giftee matches the photo with a person.
- Mystery voice calls – ask all Santas to make a mystery voice call to the recipient using a voice changer. This adds more interaction as the giftee guesses their Santa based on this call.
- Clue hunt – all players leave a series of clues a few days before the reveal. Combining Secret Santa with a Scavenger Hunt can liven up the game, turning it into an exciting experience.
To avoid spoiling the fun, encourage everyone to keep the mystery alive until the end. Ask the participants not to reveal to whom they are buying a present and not to discuss it with anyone to make the gift exchange full of surprise and anticipation.
Printable Secret Santa Rules for Every Gathering
Here are the printable rules for Secret Santa. You can send them to guests or place them in the common area where everyone will see them:
How to play Secret Santa: Tips for a Seamless Gift Exchange
Set a budget for gifts
Agree on the gift budget (say, $30) and encourage everyone to stay within that limit. Thus, you will keep the gift exchange equal. Nobody wants a situation where one player receives a gift that is too cheap or overly expensive compared to gifts from other people.
Create a wishlist
A wishlist helps your Santa choose a perfect gift and saves their time. Add some items you’d like to receive for Christmas within the agreed budget. Your Santa will be able to see the list and get the present you will like.
Set exceptions
If some family members or coworkers don’t get along well, you can set the exchange so that they don’t give to each other. It will help you avoid tension on the gift exchange day. To make the game more fun, you can also set exceptions for partners and close friends.
Be grateful
Let’s face it: not every Secret Santa can prepare an awesome gift. If you received something not as good as you expected, show that you appreciate the gift anyway and thank your Santa for their effort.
Use an online Secret Santa generator
A Secret Santa generator will keep things organized, which is especially important if you have many players. With the online organizer, you can set exceptions, and create wishlists, and each Santa can chat with their giftee anonymously. Plus, you can send reminders to players who haven’t bought gifts yet, ensuring that each participant will get a present.
Host an awesome party
Plan your gift exchange party in advance to make the gift exchange truly festive and celebrate the holiday season. Think about décor, food and drinks, and other party activities you’d like to organize. Or, set up a themed Christmas party to make the holiday memorable.
FAQs
Organizing the Secret Santa exchange
I became a Secret Santa. What should I do?
Congratulations! First of all, be sure to read the rules of the exchange to understand how the game is played. The key is to keep your identity secret until the gift exchange day. Choose a thoughtful gift that aligns with the interests of your giftee, and consider the gift budget.
Can you do Secret Santa with an odd number of players?
You can play Secret Santa with an odd and even number of players. Imagine the participants in the circle, and everyone gives a gift to the person on the right. You will need a minimum of three players for a successful exchange, but more is usually better.
How to draw names for Secret Santa with no email?
You can draw names online without email using our Quick Draw game. Enter the names of the players and see who gives to whom in seconds.
Can I exclude couples from buying from each other?
Sure! In our MySanta generator, you can set exceptions so that players don’t give to their partners or someone they don’t get along with. The number of exceptions is not limited.
Can I invite 50+ players?
If you want to organize a gift exchange at work or with a large group of friends, you can do it with MySanta online generator. You can play in person, remotely, or set up a hybrid exchange where some people give presents in person and some send them by mail. The number of players is not limited – you can invite 500 or even 1,000 players! Plus, with our gift tracking features, you will rest assured that each participant gets a present on time.
How do you handle Secret Santa if someone doesn't want to participate?
The Secret Santa exchange is based on an atmosphere of mutual respect. If someone in your group doesn't want to join the game, don't force them. Guests who don't play can help host Secret Santa or decorate the place — it will keep them involved.
Can you play Secret Santa virtually?
With an online generator, it is easy to set up a virtual gift exchange and play with colleagues or family who live far away. You can draw names in the MySanta generator, and all players will send their gifts by mail. On the exchange day, players schedule a video call and unwrap gifts together to share joy and excitement.
Secret Santa gifts
How do I make sure everyone receives a gift in Secret Santa?
To avoid confusing situations (i.e. when people forget to whom they should give a present), use an online Secret Santa generator. In the MySanta app, the results of the draw are saved, and players can see for whom they are buying gifts, and even talk to them anonymously. Plus, the game host can see who bought gifts and who hasn't, and send reminders.
What is the best gift for Secret Santa?
The best Secret Santa gift is something thoughtful, practical, and personalized to match the wishes and interests of your giftee. Remember to stick to the recommended gift budget to avoid confusing situations. Good gifts for coworkers include books, scented candles, coffee kits, assorted chocolate, hot sauces, and gift cards. For more gift ideas, use our guide to choosing a perfect Secret Santa gift.
Can you set budget for gifts?
To keep the exchange equal, it is recommended to set the spending limit for gifts, for example, $20.
The Secret Santa tradition can sparkle up the holiday gift exchange and turn it into a joyful experience. To make the exchange run smoothly, plan everything in advance and discuss what kind of gifts the participants will exchange.