How to Play Secret Santa: A Step By Step Guide
An amazingly fun and interactive way to celebrate the holiday season is to play Secret Santa. Organizing a Secret Santa with family, friends, or coworkers, is sure to bring cheer to all! If you don’t know how to play, don’t worry! We have put together this step by step guide on how to play Secret Santa that includes everything you need for a successful event!
How to Play Secret Santa
1. Set a Budget
Each participant is going to be responsible for purchasing a gift for another, therefore setting a budget is crucial to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding gift value. The budget should be reasonable and affordable for everyone involved. Common budget ranges are between $10 and $50, depending on the group.
2. Establish Rules
It’s essential to establish some ground rules to ensure everyone enjoys the game. Here are a few common rules you might want to consider:
- Stick to the Budget: Make sure everyone adheres to the agreed-upon budget.
- No Telling: The fun of Secret Santa is the secrecy! Participants should keep their assigned person a secret until the exchange when the big reveal can occur.
- Wish Lists: Some who play this game include a rule where participant creates a wish list to give their Secret Santa some ideas of what they would like to receive. If wish lists are used, remind everyone that the wish list is just a guide, and the gift should still be a surprise.
- Gift Restrictions: Depending on the group, you might want to set some restrictions on gifts. For example, no gag gifts, no alcohol, or maybe an emphasis on homemade or thoughtful gifts. This is your event so you can set any restrictions you wish….or none!
3. Gather Participants
Once you know exactly what rules participants are expected to follow and how much they should spend, you can start gathering participants. Send out an invite through email, a messaging app, or you could even create a Facebook event! Make sure to give people a deadline to RSVP so you can plan accordingly. I would recommend at least 2 weeks notice to allow participants time to opt in and find the perfect gift. Be clear of the budget and rules when inviting people to join in on the fun. This game works best when everyone follows the same set of rules! Once you have your list of participants, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
4. Pick Names
There are several ways to draw names for Secret Santa. The traditional method is to write each participant’s name on a piece of paper, fold them, and put them in a hat or bowl. Everyone then draws a name to see who they’ll be buying a gift for. If someone draws their own name, they put their name back and redraw another name. You can use our free printable Secret Santa tags if you like. Put these tags in a box, have participants draw a tag, and they can then use the same tag to label the gift for their recipient!
If you’re organizing this online or have a large group, you might want to use an online Secret Santa generator like Elfster. These tools can randomly assign names and even allow participants to create wish lists.
5. Set a Date and Time for the Gift Exchange
Decide when and where the gift exchange will take place. This could be during a holiday party, a special gathering, or even over a video call if participants are spread out. Make sure everyone is aware of the date and time well in advance so they can plan accordingly.
6. Shop for Gifts
Now comes the fun part – shopping! Use the information from your recipient’s wish list (if they created one) to find a gift they’ll love. If they didn’t make a list, think about their hobbies, interests, and preferences. Remember, the best gifts are thoughtful and show that you put some effort into choosing something special. Ensure that rules and budget are followed!
7. Wrap the Gift
Presentation is key! Wrap your gift nicely, and don’t forget to include a tag with the recipient’s name on it.
8. Exchange Gifts
When the day of the gift exchange arrives, make sure everyone brings their wrapped gift. Here are a few ways to reveal the Secret Santa:
- Direct Exchange: Each person directly hands their gift to their recipient and reveals their identity.
- Guessing Game: The recipient tries to guess who their Secret Santa is before the gifter reveals themselves.
- Round-Robin: Gifts are placed in a central location, and each person picks up their gift and tries to guess who it’s from based on any clues or wrapping style.
9. Enjoy the Reactions
One of the best parts of Secret Santa is watching everyone’s reactions as they open their gifts. Make sure to take photos and enjoy the moment. This is what makes the game so memorable and fun!
10. Thank Your Secret Santa
Once the gifts are all exchanged and the Secret Santas revealed, take a moment to thank the person who gave you your gift. Gratitude is a significant part of the holiday spirit and helps to strengthen the bonds between participants.
Tips for a Successful Secret Santa
- Communication: keep all participants well informed about the rules, budget and date of the exchange. Be available to answer questions and receive feedback, allowing for a joyful experience for participants.
- Be Thoughtful: When choosing a gift, consider what will make your recipient happy.
- Have Fun: The purpose of Secret Santa is to have fun and spread holiday cheer! Try to minimize stress and focus on enjoying the game.
Variations of Secret Santa
If you’re looking to add a twist of fun to your Secret Santa event, consider these ideas:
- Themed Secret Santa: choose a gift theme, such as homemade items, books, food, or perhaps a specific color?
- White Elephant: Instead of buying a gift for a specific person, everyone brings a general gift. Participants then draw numbers to determine the order of choosing a gift. On each person’s turn, they can either select an unopened gift OR they can steal an already opened gift from someone else.
- Secret Santa Clues: In the days leading up to the exchange. each Secret Santa leaves small clues, such as little notes, for their recipient, building up the anticipation for the big event.
Good Luck On Your Secret Santa Event!
Secret Santa is a wonderful way to share in the holiday spirit and bring joy to your friends, family, or colleagues. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all involved.
We hope this guide on how to play Secret Santa was helpful and that your event is joyful for everyone!
Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Colleagues
"Today I will do absolutely nothing" - This cute mug is an adorable and funny gift for coworkers! It holds 12 ounces of coffee and has a comfortably shaped handle for easy use.
"My Last Nerve: Oh Look, It's On Fire" - this funny candle is made from 100% soy wax and scented with fragrance oils. With a burn time of 45-50 hours, this is a gift that will be loved and get a laugh!
"Things I Can't Say Out Loud In Meetings"-for a colleague who likes a good laugh, this book makes a perfect Secret Santa gift! It has no profanity and is full of light hearted work humor.
Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Friends
“Thank you for being my unpaid therapist." - A heartwarming present for your friends, this candle is a perfect way to say thanks for listening and being there. possible.
This monogrammed ceramic jewelry dish measures 4.75 x 4.75 inches and is perfect for holding their jewelry, keys, change, and other trinkets.
This vegan leather journal features a durable and water-resistant cover, 160 college ruled lined pages, an inner expandable pocket, sticker labels, a ribbon bookmark & elastic closure band.
Looking for more?
We have Christmas gift ideas for men and for women.
We have reasons to shop for Christmas all year long too!
This Christmas themed gift idea list is one of our most popular.
And we have a free printable Christmas gift tracker as well.
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