How to draw Secret Santa names
- Type everyone taking part into Names, one per line.
- Under Who can’t draw whom, add couples or families on one line each, such as Ava & Ben, so they don’t buy for each other. Leave it empty if there are no rules.
- Click Draw names. Choose One by one and pass the device round so each person taps their name and sees only their own match, or Full list to copy, download or print every pair.
Running a Secret Santa without peeking
The tricky part of a Secret Santa is keeping the draw secret from the organiser. Two ways work well here:
- Pass the device round. Choose One by one. Each person taps their own name, reads who they’re buying for, then taps Hide and pass on. Names already viewed are marked, so you can see who still needs a turn.
- Print slips. Choose Full list, print it, and cut it into strips. Fold each strip so only the giver’s name shows and hand them out.
Setting the rules
Agree on a spending limit and a date before you draw, and tell everyone at the same time. If someone joins late, draw again with the full list rather than slotting them in, since adding one person to an existing draw can reveal who had whom.
Exclusions work best when they’re few. Each one removes options, and with a small group a few exclusions can make a valid draw impossible. With six people and three couples kept apart, every person can still draw from four others, which is plenty.