Secret Santa Generator

Draw Secret Santa names online and send each person a private link that reveals only their own match.

One group per line, like "Alex & Bella" for a couple. Everyone on a line is kept apart, both ways.

How to run a Secret Santa online

  1. Type everyone's name, one per line.
  2. Add anyone who shouldn't draw each other, such as couples or people who live together. Write them on one line, like Alex & Bella.
  3. Add a gift budget and the exchange date if you like. They show up on everyone's reveal page.
  4. Press Draw names, then copy or share each person's private link and send it to them by text, email or chat.

When someone opens their link, they see a "Reveal my person" button and then only the name of the person they are buying for. The organizer can take part too, as long as they don't press Show who got who.

How the draw works

The generator shuffles the list fairly and gives everyone the person in their matching spot. A draw is only kept if it follows every rule:

Valid draw = nobody gets themselves + nobody gets someone they are kept apart from + everyone gives and receives exactly one gift

If a shuffle breaks a rule, it simply shuffles again, so every valid draw is equally likely, just like pulling names from a hat where anyone who picks themselves puts it back. When the rules are very tight it switches to a careful search, and if no draw is possible it tells you instead of bending a rule.

Worked example

Six friends, Alex, Bella, Carlos, Dana, Eli and Fatima, are doing a $25 exchange. Alex and Bella are a couple, so they go on one line. With 6 people there are 720 ways to hand out names, but only 265 of them have nobody drawing themselves, and 168 of those also keep Alex and Bella apart. The generator picks one of those 168 at random, so for example Alex might get Dana and Bella might get Eli, and nobody else can tell.

Tips for a smooth gift exchange

  • Set a budget. A clear amount, like $20 or $25, stops anyone feeling awkward about over or under spending.
  • Draw early. Four to six weeks before the exchange gives everyone time to shop and ship. The Christmas countdown shows how long is left.
  • Keep the links. Use Copy all links and save them somewhere private, so you can resend one if someone loses theirs.
  • Wish lists help. Ask everyone to share three gift ideas in your group chat so people aren't guessing.

Frequently asked questions

Can the organizer take part without knowing the matches?
Yes. Draw names, then send each person their link without pressing "Show who got who". Open only your own link to see who you are buying for.
Can I stop couples from drawing each other?
Yes. Put the couple on one line in the "shouldn't draw each other" box, like "Alex & Bella". You can put more than two names on a line, for example a whole household.
Do you store our names?
No. The draw happens in your browser and nothing is sent to a server. Each person's match is stored inside their own link, in a scrambled form that is hidden at a glance but not encrypted, so only send each link to the right person.
Why does it say no draw fits?
Too many exclusions can make a fair draw impossible, for example if half the group is kept apart from everyone else. Remove an exclusion or add more people and draw again.

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