Top Unique Locations to Play Secret Santa with Friends
If you find traditional Secret Santa boring and no longer enjoyable, it's time to add a twist. This guide shares unusual and creative locations to exchange Secret Santa gifts with friends.
We’ve gathered several non-traditional locations for playing Secret Santa and ideas on how to make the exchange more fun for your group.
Why Play Secret Santa Online?
When you need to draw names quickly and not to reveal the secret early, using an online generator is much better than drawing names from the hat.
The online format of Secret Santa offers an efficient solution for those looking to organize a game without unnecessary hassle, especially under conditions like remote work, large groups, or lack of time.
The MySanta app offers many great features for a smooth game. You can draw names in seconds and exchange gifts in person or remotely. Here are the key reasons to create a game today:
- Quick and Easy Setup. With online games, participants simply enter their email addresses, and service draws names, notifying each player. This eliminates human error and confusion.
- True Anonymity. Offline, it’s easy to accidentally find out who your Secret Santa is—someone might spill the beans, or mess up the name drawing. Online, identities remain secret until the very end. Plus, the game creator with a PRO subscription can resolve disputes, ensuring a smooth game.
- Play at a Distance. The classic version is limited to those physically present, sidelining distant relatives or friends. Online play allows participation from different cities and countries, just ensure a correct delivery address. It’s the perfect solution for remote employees and online friends.
- Flexible Rules and Unique Scenarios. For an online game, you can set budget, gift themes, or timelines. The MySanta app encourages spontaneity and creativity—introducing unique formats such as ‘Pen-Pal Santa’ with custom handmade cards and ‘7 Gifts in a Week’ challenges, digital surprises, and much more.
- Saves Time and Effort for Organizers. The MySanta app handles everything from gathering participants with mass email functions to drawing names and sending automatic reminders. The organizer invites participants, sets game parameters, and clicks ‘Draw Names’.
Creative Locations to Play Secret Santa
Thinking outside the box can be tough when most of us fall back on familiar options that hardly differ from usual scenarios.
To break free from this monotonous spectrum, explore our list of ideas. They come with clear examples and details. All you have to do is select one to implement, eliminating the need to create something new from scratch.
Coworking Space
If you work at a coworking space, you don't have to ditch your daily routine during the holidays; host a Secret Santa right there. Pick a day when all participants can come, and when coworking staff are available to assist in organizing a holiday game.
Gifts can be brought in advance and hidden in lockers, placed on shelves, or in the common area, concealed by fluffy tinsel and artificial snow.
Train
Host a gift exchange on a train or commuter rail—such as at a particular station at a set time, or during a joint trip somewhere.
With the MySanta service, each participant is informed in advance who they will be gifting to, allowing them to prepare the gift before selected date. Gift handovers can take various forms. Santas might place gifts at designated recipients' spots before the trip begins. Alternatively, signed gifts could be gathered on the luggage rack above passengers and discreetly picked up on departure along with personal belongings, then unwrapped at a hotel or home.
Maintain anonymity till the trip concludes: you can chat with friends on various topics without revealing who’s who, making the journey lively and intriguing.
Virtual World
Host a Secret Santa right in game. For instance, in Minecraft, you can summon a Gift Wrapper and use it to present desired weapons, artifacts, or armor to friends. Interestingly, these items can't be regifted—an ironic twist on real-life Secret Santa, where many ponder what to do with unwanted items.
With the MySanta service, participants fill out surveys, sharing their preferences and interests—ensuring everyone gets what they actually want.
The catch is that the gift-giver's name is revealed in the game right away. But you can always create separate anonymous accounts, level them up, and exchange items blindly by listing aliases on the service.
City Scavenger Hunt
Organize a game in the popular scavenger hunt format, extending it to streets, neighborhoods, or even entire cities. Plan a safe route in advance and choose several verified spots in the city. At each location, place a riddle or set up a hidden cache containing a gift from Santa.
For organization, you'll need a map, a list of addresses, and possibly an enthusiastic helper to deliver and stash boxes. This format is great for groups who love excitement and active entertainment, but keep the locations obvious and easy to find.
Secret Santa by Mail
Turn the game into a USPS-themed adventure. Exchange packages or letters by mail without adding return address to keep the mystery alive. This is a great way to exchange gifts if you and your friends live in different neighborhoods or cities and want to stay in touch.
