Secret Santa where nobody has to guess

A gift exchange is a group gifting activity where each participant is randomly assigned another person to buy a gift for. GiftList runs Secret Santa name-draw exchanges, where each person is matched with someone to gift and identities stay hidden until the reveal. Planning a White Elephant or Yankee Swap instead? We offer free no-signup tools and printable rules for those formats too.

Once everyone is added, the organizer draws names — or sets an auto-draw date and lets it happen automatically. Our algorithm ensures fair, random assignments — no one draws themselves, and any exclusions (like couples) are respected. Each participant sees only their own match, and the draw is organizer-blind: the organizer sees their own match and nobody else's, same as everyone.

Yes, completely free. Create unlimited exchanges, invite up to 100 people to each one, and use all features — name drawing, wish lists, activity feed, and gift reveal — at no cost.

You need at least 3 people to draw names — with two, you'd each draw the other and there's no secret left. One exchange can hold up to 100 people, which covers everything from a small family group to a large office party.

Yes. Organizers can pair people off so couples or roommates never draw each other — and it works for everyone on the roster, including people invited by email or added by name alone. In a small group it is possible to add so many exclusions that no valid set of matches exists; we tell the organizer before they draw rather than failing partway through.

Only to JOIN. The organizer can add anyone by email — or just by name — and everyone they add is in the draw whether or not they've signed up yet. An account is what lets you see who you're gifting, share a wish list, and message your Secret Santa anonymously. Signing up is quick and 100% free, and you can join with any email, even if the invite went to a different one. Invited by email and changed your mind? You can decline straight from that email, before names are drawn, without ever making an account.

Each person picks one of two options: link a wish list (share an existing GiftList so your match shops from what you already want), or do the Mystery Q&A (skip the list and answer a few fun questions so your match can surprise you). Their Secret Santa sees whichever one they chose.

Yes — once names are drawn, Santa Mail opens a private thread between each giver and their giftee. Your Secret Santa can message you without giving themselves away, and you can reply to ask a question or drop a hint. The organizer can't read any of it, and can turn Santa Mail off for an exchange if they prefer.

Yes! Add a description to set the tone — a theme, dress code, location, or anything your group should know. It inspires creative gift choices and adds an extra layer of fun.

Secret Santa identities stay locked until the exchange date — then everyone can unmask the person who drew them. Up until then you can see who YOU drew, so you can shop for them, but nobody can peek at who's gifting them.

Only the people in it. An exchange page opens for its organizer and its participants and for nobody else, even with the link. Separately, the organizer can switch on a shareable invite link that lets anyone holding it join — and switch it back off at any time, which stops new people joining without removing anyone already in.

Instead of sharing a wish list, participants answer the Mystery Q&A — your interests, your style, a short list of things to avoid, and a few quirky personality questions. Your Secret Santa can then use Genie, our AI gift finder, to turn that into personalized suggestions.