Secret Santa
Family Secret Santa with wishlists
Everyone makes a Christmas list, and each Santa sees the list of the person they are buying for. Nobody has to guess, and nobody finds out who their Santa is.
Start a family drawHow it works
- 1. Start a family draw. Go to the Secret Santa generator (Family wishlists is already picked). Add everyone's name and email, set a budget, and the date of the swap. It defaults to 25 December.
- 2. Everyone joins and makes a list. Each person gets an email, makes a free HintDrop account, and gets a list for your Secret Santa. They add things they would love from any shop, with gift ideas in budget to pick from if they are stuck. Reminders chase anyone who has not joined yet.
- 3. Draw and buy. Names are drawn at random, nobody gets themselves, and each Santa sees the list of the person they are buying for, with a link to each item.
Why the Santa stays secret
In a family draw the whole family can see each other's lists. So a Santa reading a list is not a clue, because anyone could be reading it. Only you see who you drew. The organiser cannot see who got whom, so they can join in too.
Setting a budget
Set one amount when you start the draw and it goes in every email. Not sure what is fair? Try the Secret Santa budget calculator.
Ask your match a question, anonymously
List looking thin? Ask the person you drew a question from your match page. They answer on their own page and never find out who asked. How anonymous Secret Santa questions work.
Family Secret Santa questions
What is a family Secret Santa with wishlists?
It is a Secret Santa where everyone has a Christmas list. After the draw, each person sees the list of the person they are buying for, so they can pick something that is wanted instead of guessing.
How does the Santa stay secret if lists are visible?
Everyone in the family can see each other's lists, so looking at a list does not give away who is buying for whom. The match itself stays private to each person.
Do we all need an account?
Anyone can start adding to their list from their Secret Santa email before they sign up. To keep their list, and to see the list of the person they are buying for, each person makes a free HintDrop account. A Classic draw works the same way, but does not add everyone to each other's Circle.
Can I ask my match a question without giving myself away?
Yes. From your match page you can ask the person you drew a question. They answer on their own page, we email you the answer, and they never see who asked. Up to 5 questions a day.
When is the gift swap?
The date defaults to 25 December. The organiser can change it when starting the draw.
What if someone has not joined or typed the wrong email?
Reminders chase anyone who has not joined, and the organiser can fix names and emails afterwards.
How much should a family Secret Santa budget be?
Families often settle around £20 or $25, and a little less when children take part. Set the amount when you start the draw and it goes in everyone's email. Our budget calculator can help you pick.
Ready to draw? Choose Family wishlists on the generator.
Start a family draw