Secret Santa guides
Everything you need to run a great Secret Santa, from the first message in the group chat to the final reveal. Start with the step-by-step guide, then dip into whatever fits your group.
Getting started
- How to do Secret Santa, step by stepThe complete guide: invites, budget, dates, the draw and the exchange
- What is Secret Santa?How the game works, its names around the world and where it comes from
- Secret Santa rules and 10 fun twistsThe basics everyone should agree on, plus ways to make it more fun
For your group
- Office Secret SantaOpt-in, budgets, timings and remote colleagues
- Family Secret SantaKids, couples and relatives far away
- Virtual Secret SantaPosting deadlines, digital gifts and video-call reveals
- Secret Santa in a WhatsApp groupOne link for the whole chat
- Secret Santa with no email or sign-upWhy you don’t need anyone’s address
- Kris KringleFor Australia, Ireland and New Zealand
- Gift exchange name drawFamily and holiday gift exchanges
- White elephant rulesThe stealing game, explained simply
Free resources
- Secret Santa questionnaire10 questions to paste in your group chat or print
- Message templatesInvite, reminder and reveal messages ready to copy
- How much to spendBudget guide for work, friends and family
- Best Secret Santa generators comparedAn honest look at the popular tools