Why a link works better than a hat at work
Office exchanges rarely happen with everyone in one room. Remote and hybrid teams, people on leave, and late joiners make drawing paper slips awkward. A join link lets each person opt in when they see it, and the draw happens only when you say so.
Because people add themselves, you don't need to collect email addresses or copy names from the org chart, and nobody is signed up without choosing to be.
A simple plan for running it
- Pick a budget that works for the most junior person on the team. $20 to $30 is common.
- Set a gift day and post the join link at least two weeks before.
- Use the note to everyone for the practical bits: where gifts go, whether to wrap, any theme.
- Add exclusions for anyone who shouldn't draw each other, such as a manager and their direct report if your team prefers that.
- Draw names a few days after the link goes out, then send each person their link by direct message.
Keeping it fair and comfortable
Make joining optional and say so in the announcement. Wishlists help people who don't know each other well, and a clear budget stops anyone overspending. If someone joins after the draw, undo it, add them, and draw again: everyone keeps the same link.