Top Secret Santa questions to ask to choose a perfect gift

Organizing a Secret Santa is a lot of fun. Yet, choosing the right gift can be tricky, especially at work where you get matched with someone you only greeted in the hallways. In this article, we’ve gathered fun and insightful questions participants should answer anonymously to ensure everyone receives what they want for Christmas.

Organize the Secret Santa exchange with the MySanta app

In 2025, you needn’t draw names from the hat or the box, as it’s much easier to draw names and track progress with a digital tool. Our MySanta Secret Santa organizer & generator is designed for groups of any size, from 4 to 500+ players.

The best part is that you won’t have to guess what to give to your assigned coworker! Each participant shares their gift preferences and dislikes when joining the game, so you won’t have to distribute any additional surveys.

Plus, there is a Wishlist feature. Players can add links to specific items from online stores, and you can purchase the exact thing the person wants. It’s quick and hassle-free! And if you still have questions about what to give, you can ask the person directly in the anonymous chat.

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

If you prefer to organize the Secret Santa the old-fashioned way or want to surprise your giftee, keep reading for the best Secret Santa questions to ask the recipient.

26 Insightful questions for your Secret Santa questionnaire

Here are the informative questions to ask before your gift exchange that will reveal personality, hobbies, and preferences of your assigned person.

Questions about interests and preferences

1. Is there a movie or TV show you've been enjoying lately?
2. What are three things you cannot imagine your day without?
3. What helps you relax and unwind after a long day at work?
4. What are the scents you particularly like or dislike?
5. Who is your favorite musician or band?
6. What is your favorite book or author?
7. Do you prefer coffee or tea?

These questions reveal the general preferences of the person and hint at specific gifts. For example, if the person is a fan of a new TV show or book, you can give them merchandise or collectible that a true fan will appreciate.

Questions about hobbies and lifestyle

8. What are your favorite sports teams?
9. Do you have any pets?
10. Do you have any upcoming trips or travel plans?
11. Do you collect anything?
12. Are there any skills or hobbies you've always wanted to try?
13. Are you into DIY and crafting projects?

Knowing your giftee’s lifestyle will help you avoid awkward situations and giving something they don’t need. For example, if your friend or coworker has pets, you can give a pet-related present, and when you know for sure they’re going to Italy for a week, travel sets, gadgets, or items for storage can be invaluable.

Questions about style and aesthetics

14. What is your favorite color or shade?
15. What movie can you watch on repeat?
16. Do you prefer practical gifts or more decorative and fun items?
17. Are there any particular artists, designers, or brands that you admire?
18. What season do you enjoy the most?
19. Are you into any particular aesthetics or styles (boho, modern, minimalism, etc.)?

These questions will show the personal taste of the recipient and help you choose a gift that brings genuine delight. You may ask about favorite colors, scents, styles, or aesthetics, customizing the questions depending on what exactly you plan to give. Say, if you want to give a jewelry item, ask about favorite designers, styles they enjoy, and colors.

Questions about practical needs

20. What's something you could use more of in your life right now?
21. Do you prefer new experiences or physical gifts?
22. Do you like smart tech gadgets?
23. What's your go-to comfort item when you're feeling down?
24. Is there anything you've considered replacing or upgrading?
25. Do you prefer gold or silver jewelry?
26. Do you have any food allergies or dietary preferences?

These are the most practical questions aimed to hint at specific items the person wants. Subtly ask about things the person needs right now to give a helpful, practical present.

Also Read:

12 Fun Christmas Games With Friends To Make Your Party Unforgettable

Read

How to use your Secret Santa questionnaire

1. Customize questions for your group. You may include additional questions depending on the age and interests of your group.
2. Keep it short. Ideally, keep your form to around 15 questions. Using too many questions will increase the likelihood that some people will simply skip them.
3. Distribute the questionnaire. The game host (or HR manager) distributes it using Google Forms or any other digital tool or prints it out. After all forms are completed, each player receives the anonymous questionnaire of their giftee.
4. Set the game rules. To keep your exchange fair, set the budget for gifts (for example, $25) and restrictions (for instance, no personal items if you’re doing Secret Santa at work). Specify the date when everyone should buy gifts to avoid holiday delays.
5. Organize a fun gift exchange! Plan a festive event when everyone will open gifts and guess their Secret Santa. Add clues and riddles to make guessing even more fun.

Also Read:

How to choose a perfect gift for Secret Santa?

Read

What if you’re still stuck with gift ideas?

If the questionnaire gave you some hints but you’re still unsure, here’s what you can do next:

1. Talk to your giftee. If you’re giving to a friend you socialize with often, try asking subtle questions about what they need or what they want at the moment. For example, “I bought these earbuds two months ago and they’re awesome. Are you happy with yours?”
2. Browse their social media. Social profiles can be a real rescue if you don’t know the recipient well. Browse their pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and more to learn more about their lifestyle, interests, sense of humor, and more.
3. Buy a universally appealing gift. There are universally appealing gifts that most people will be happy to receive. They might be less personalized, but it’s better to give a generic yet high-quality item than to give a cocktail set and then figure out that your giftee doesn’t consume alcohol.

These insightful questions can reveal the preferences of your giftee and pick a gift they will enjoy. Combine various types of questions to learn more about the person and make the process of answering more fun. Or, use the MySanta app with personalized wishlists and gift suggestions, and don’t stress over choosing a gift again.

FAQs