Secret Santa for Coworkers
Draw names online, set a budget, and give coworkers an easy way to share what they'd like.
Coworkers · guide
How to Run Secret Santa at Work
Organizing usually falls on one person — the one who collects names, reminds everyone about the budget, and hopes nobody draws themselves. It doesn’t have to be that much work. Here’s how to handle the organizing online, from inviting coworkers to drawing names.
What usually goes wrong (and how to avoid it)
Office Secret Santa exchanges usually run into the same three problems: no clear budget, an awkward pairing, or no idea what to buy. All three are easy to solve ahead of time. Set a spending range when you create the game, let everyone add a short wishlist for their Secret Santa, and exclude pairings that don’t make sense — a manager and their direct report, for example — before you run the draw.
How to set it up
Create the game
Give it a name the team will recognize — for example, “Marketing Team Secret Santa.”
Set a budget
Agree on an amount in advance so everyone feels comfortable taking part.
Share the invite link
Drop it in the work chat. Everyone will join on their own and fill in a wishlist.
Add exclusions
Mark pairs who shouldn’t get each other — the draw will work around them.
Run the draw
Each person only sees who they drew — their giftee.
Ask anonymously
Ask about size, allergies, or preferences without giving yourself away.
A few practical tips
- Don't pressure anyone who'd rather skip it. For some people it's the wrong time, the budget doesn't work, or they just don't like this format. Send the invite once and leave the choice with them — Secret Santa is more fun when everyone joins because they want to.
- Pick a budget that's comfortable for the whole team. It's better to agree on an amount in advance so nobody has to spend more than they want.
- Ask everyone to fill in a wishlist. Even three ideas at different price points make choosing a gift much easier.
- Agree in advance when you’ll open the gifts: at the office party, over lunch, or on a video call.
If your team is spread out
Secret Santa works across distances, too. Participants can add a mailing address to their card — only their Santa sees it, so gifts can be sent directly. On exchange day, everyone can hop on a call and open their gifts together.
It’s an easy way to bring a little holiday spirit to December at work and get to know your coworkers better — even when you’re in different cities.
Start an Office Secret Santa
Draw names online, set a budget, and give coworkers an easy way to share what they'd like.