hushdraw

Secret Santa Rules

Secret Santa rules, and how it works

Everyone draws one name in secret and buys that person a gift. Here are the rules most groups use, and how to handle the awkward bits.

  • No ads
  • No paywall
  • No sign-up to join
  • Exclusions
  • Wishlists

Start a draw

Kind of exchange

Everyone draws a name and buys for that person.

Takes 30 seconds · nobody needs an account

The basic rules

  • Everyone who joins gives exactly one gift and receives exactly one.
  • You don't draw yourself, and you keep your match secret until the reveal.
  • Everyone sticks to the budget.
  • Gifts are swapped on the agreed day, often with a guess-who-your-Santa-is round.

Setting the budget

Choose a number everyone can manage without thinking twice. $20 to $30 is typical for offices and friends, and families sometimes go higher. Say whether the budget is a target or a cap.

Exclusions

Keep couples and housemates from drawing each other, and optionally last year's pairs. An exclusion works both ways.

Wishlists

Ask everyone for three to five ideas at different prices, plus sizes or favorite colors if they apply. A good list leaves room for surprise: "anything to do with gardening" is more fun to shop for than a single link.

The reveal

Some groups reveal right away as gifts are opened. Others have everyone guess their Santa first. Either way, set the gift day early and remind people a week before.

FAQ

Questions

What happens if someone drops out after the draw?

Undo the draw, remove them, and draw again. Everyone keeps the same link but may get a new match, so let the group know.

What's the minimum number of people?

Three. With two, each person knows who drew them.

Guides

Every kind of exchange