Secret Santa Generator

Organize a Secret Santa gift exchange in seconds. Add names, set exclusions, draw, and let everyone privately reveal who they are buying for.

These two will not draw each other, in either direction.

Each person taps their name to see who they are buying for, then taps Hide.

How to run a Secret Santa

  1. Agree on a budget, a date and whether gifts are themed.
  2. Enter every participant and any pairs who should not draw each other.
  3. Press Draw names.
  4. In Pass the phone mode, each person privately reveals their match. Or switch to the organizer list and send each match privately.
  5. On the day, exchange gifts and try to guess your Secret Santa.

Gift ideas by budget

  • Under $15: fancy hot chocolate, a paperback, a funny mug, cozy socks.
  • Around $25: a board game, a desk plant, a candle set, a puzzle.
  • Around $50: wireless earbuds, a cookbook with a kitchen tool, a hobby starter kit.

Need holiday elf names for gift tags? Try the elf name generator. Counting down to the party? Use the date calculator.

Last reviewed October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Secret Santa generator work?

Enter everyone's names, add any pairs who should not draw each other (like couples), and press Draw. The generator randomly assigns each person someone to buy for, never themselves, and respects your exclusions.

How do people see who they got without spoiling it?

Use "Pass the phone" mode: each person taps their own name to privately reveal their match, then hides it before passing the device on. The organizer never has to look.

Can I send the results by email?

This tool does not send emails, so no one's email address is collected. You can copy each person's assignment and send it privately in your own messaging app.

What if the draw says it is impossible?

Too many exclusions can make a valid draw impossible, for example if one person is excluded from everyone. Remove an exclusion or add more people and try again.

Is the draw random and fair?

Yes. It uses your browser's cryptographic random number generator, and every valid arrangement is possible.