Secret Santa generator / Secret Santa rules

Secret Santa rules

Everyone gives one gift. Everyone receives one gift. Who drew whom stays a surprise.

The simple version

1. Invite participants and make joining optional.
2. Agree on a budget, date, and how gifts will be exchanged.
3. Set any exclusions, such as couples or household members.
4. Randomly assign each person one recipient, without self-matches.
5. Share each person’s result privately.
6. Buy a thoughtful gift within budget and bring or send it by the deadline.
7. Decide whether to reveal the givers at the exchange or keep them secret.

Set a comfortable budget

A spending limit keeps the activity welcoming. Ask what people are comfortable with before choosing the amount. Clarify whether postage and gift wrapping count toward the limit, especially for remote groups. These are group choices rather than universal rules.

Use exclusions thoughtfully

Couples and housemates may enjoy buying for someone outside their household. But too many restrictions can make a complete draw impossible. The exclusions guide explains examples and how to adjust.

Keep the result private

Send one personal link to each person. Do not post the whole organizer list in a group chat. On a shared computer, show QR codes one at a time, or hand each person their own named card.

Ask for helpful gift hints

Use a Secret Santa questionnaire to collect favorites, hobbies, and things to avoid. Treat answers as suggestions, not demands. Nobody needs to share personal details they are uncomfortable disclosing.

For office groups

Make participation voluntary, choose an accessible budget, and avoid embarrassing, intimate, or discriminatory gifts. Give people a clear opt-in deadline. For remote teams, agree on postage and address sharing privately before drawing.

If someone cannot take part anymore

Tell the organizer early. Once links have been shared, a redraw affects the entire group. Our static links cannot be revoked: the organizer must clearly replace the old draw and send everyone their new link.

If a gift does not arrive

Ask the organizer privately rather than calling someone out in the group. Delivery delays and emergencies happen. Agree beforehand whether the organizer will coordinate late gifts or keep a small spare gift available.

Secret Santa is different from White Elephant

Secret Santa assigns a specific person to buy for. White Elephant usually starts with a pool of wrapped gifts and a turn order for opening or stealing gifts. This generator makes Secret Santa assignments; it does not run a live White Elephant game.