Tips for Being a Secret Santa: Your Ultimate Guide
Being a Secret Santa is both a responsibility and a delight. If you’ve been invited to Secret Santa but aren't sure where to begin, this article is for you.
The MySanta service automates the popular Christmas gift exchange game, making participation even more fun. Each year, more than 100,000 users create games on our platform, so we know all the best tips and are happy to share them with you.
Who Is Secret Santa
A Secret Santa is a participant of the classic gift exchange game who anonymously gives a gift to another person. According to the game rules, players draw names from the hat — whoever’s name you draw is the person you’ll give a gift to.
When you draw names online, each player gets the name of their giftee to their inbox. Still, the main rule remains the same: you have to prepare a gift for another player without revealing yourself.
How To Choose the Right Gift
Choosing a present that your recipient will genuinely enjoy can feel tricky, especially if you don't know them well. Yet, it’s possible. Here are several ways to choose a gift they will appreciate:
- Consider the wishlist. Before joining the gift exchange online, participants often share their gift preferences. What's more, in our service, participants can create wishlists of items they’d like to receive. Look closely at your recipient's wishes and pick something from the list.
- Find them on social media. If they haven't added a wishlist, try finding your giftee online. Their hobbies and lifestyle can give valuable hints about what might make a great gift.
- Talk casually. If you know the person — maybe you work in the same office or study in the same group — chat with them. Ask about hobbies, holiday plans, or what makes them happy. Often these little conversations reveal perfect gift ideas. But remember to keep the conversation casual so as not to reveal yourself!
It’s also important to stick to the agreed-upon budget. If everyone decided on $10–$15 budget, don’t buy something worth just a couple of dollars. Spending a bit more is acceptable, but spending less than the set minimum isn’t.
What To Give As a Secret Santa?
If you’re still unsure and don’t have hints, use our table of traditional and unusual Secret Santa gift ideas. It may help inspire your choice.
| Traditional Secret Santa Gifts | Unusual Secret Santa Gifts |
|---|---|
| Thermos | Bartender’s kit |
| Board game | Hand warmer |
| Travel mug | Blender cup |
| Book | Star projector |
| Box of sweets | 3D puzzle |
| Holiday-print socks | Phone power bank |
| Christmas ornaments | DIY infusion kit |
| Mug | Paint-by-numbers set |
| Candles | Tea sampler |
| Throw blanket | Hoodie |
Another option is to give something that once deeply inspired you. Maybe it’s a book that left a big impression, a reproduction of your favorite painting, or a map of a city where you love to wander. If you add a letter explaining why you chose that gift, the recipient will appreciate it even more.
How to Be a Perfect Secret Santa: Examples of Great Secret Santa Gifts
The Secret Santa exchange gained its popularity after a Reddit user suggested exchanging gifts remotely. Since many people wanted to join in, he created RedditGifts.com, a site where anyone could register, receive another player’s address, and send them a gift. In return, received a gift from a different participant.
Reddit users began sharing photos of the gifts they received, and soon celebrities and major brands joined in too.
In particular, Bill Gates participated in the exchange for a few years in a row. He always reviewed the recipient's profile to give them something they would definitely like. In 2016, the user named Aerrix received several amazing gifts from Bill: an Xbox One console, game and movie discs, a gift for her dog, a blanket with The Legend of Zelda characters, a cookbook, and much more.
Latsil, another Reddit user, received an iPad from Secret Santa. A Star Wars fan received a drawing depicting all the characters from the beloved saga in precise detail. A math teacher registered on Reddit as MattKoch got a wall clock whose dial was made up of equations.
How To Hand In the Gift?
Players can exchange Secret Santa gifts in person or remotely. If the exchange takes place in person, all participants bring gifts to a specific place, and then the organizer distributes the boxes and bags among the players. The main thing is not to forget to write your recipient’s name on the gift.
How To Send a Gift Anonymously
If you organize a remote gift exchange, there are several ways to ship a gift. In the United States, the easiest way to stay anonymous is to order a gift from large online retailers like Amazon, Target, or Walmart and ship it to your recipient’s address.
If you’d like to put more of a personal touch on the gift, you can also use postal services or couriers such as USPS or UPS. To stay secret, don't include the return address. This way, the surprise remains intact — and you don’t need to worry about giving yourself away.
Secret Santa Checklist
A miracle will happen if you complete each step
1. Find out the recipient’s wishes
2. Buy the gift
3. Wrap and label the gift
4. Add the card with the recipient's name
5. Send or bring the gift to the party
6. Don't reveal yourself under any circumstances!
Conclusion
Being a Secret Santa is more than just getting a generic gift for a friend or coworker. It’s a chance to brighten someone’s season, make them smile, and add a touch of mystery to the gift exchange.
Take this role seriously, stay within the agreed budget, and put in effort when choosing the gift. Thus, your gift will not only bring joy but also create warm memories that last far beyond Christmas.
