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Secret Santa at work or in your club – gifts that land

In a Secret Santa, you often draw someone you barely know. The result sits on shelves in plenty of offices come January: things nobody wanted to keep. With a little preparation, the gamble turns into a hit.

Planning your own? Create wishlist

1. Set a budget and a date

Agree on an amount up front, for example $15 or $25, and on the day of the gift exchange. A clear limit takes the pressure off everyone – nobody wants to be the only one with the expensive gift.

2. Draw names

Who gives to whom you draw as usual: slips of paper from a hat or one of the many name-drawing sites. The wishlist doesn’t draw names – it comes in at the next step.

3. Everyone makes a short list

Right after the drawing, everyone makes a small wishlist: three to five ideas within the agreed budget. It’s quick and only needs an email address. Share the link with the group or send it straight to the person who drew you.

The price on each wish matters: that way everyone sees right away what’s within the limit.

4. Reserve anonymously

Whoever gives to their Secret Santa pick reserves the wish on that person’s list. The others only see that it’s taken, not by whom – and nobody has to give their name. That way, Secret Santa stays a secret until the exchange.

Ideas for a small Secret Santa list

  • good tea or coffee
  • a notebook
  • a mug for the office
  • a small plant for the desk
  • a book from a favorite genre
  • a gift card for the café next door

By when?

Right after names are drawn. That leaves everyone enough time to find something that fits – even if it has to be ordered online.

A wishlist for the occasion

A wishlist is ready right away, no password – for one of these occasions or any other.

Create wishlist
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