Wheel Spinner Kit

Secret Santa Generator

How it works

  1. Type everyone’s name.
  2. Add pairs who shouldn’t draw each other, such as couples.
  3. Press Draw names and send each person their link.

Type the names, add anyone who should not draw each other, and press Draw names. Then send each person their own private link.

How to run a Secret Santa

  1. Type everyone’s name, one per line. Every name must be different, so add an initial if two people share a name.
  2. Optional: list pairs who should not draw each other, such as couples, one pair per line.
  3. Optional: add a note for everyone, for example the budget and the date of the exchange.
  4. Press Draw names, then send each person only their own link. When they open it, they see who they are buying for.

Fair and private

The draw is a random arrangement in which nobody gets their own name and no excluded pair is matched, and every valid arrangement has the same chance. Nothing is sent to a server: each match travels inside its link after the # sign. The links are not encrypted, so the organizer could open them; if the organizer is playing too, use Copy all links without looking at the full draw.

Gift ideas by budget

  • Under $10: fancy hot chocolate, a paperback, a plant cutting, socks with a joke.
  • Under $25: a board game, a mug with their favourite tea, a good notebook and pen.
  • Under $50: a cooking class voucher, headphones, a cozy blanket.

Questions

Is there an online name picker I can use for Secret Santa?

Yes, this page. It draws the names, keeps couples apart if you ask, and makes a private link for each person, without accounts or emails.

How do you generate names for Secret Santa?

Type every participant, press Draw names, and send each person the link next to their name. Nobody draws themselves.

Can I stop couples from drawing each other?

Yes. Under “Who can’t draw whom”, write each pair on one line, separated by a comma, for example “Ann, Ben”.

What are some funny names for Secret Santa?

Groups often rename the game: Secret Snowflake, Kris Kringle, Mystery Elf, Holiday Ninja or Undercover Reindeer.

What if the draw is impossible?

With too many exclusions there may be no valid draw. The page tells you, and you can remove an exclusion or add a person.

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