Secret Santa Generator
Enter everyone's name, add any pairs who should not be matched, such as couples, and draw. The screen then shows each person their match on their own, one at a time, so the organiser does not have to see the list.
Worked examples
A group of five
Ana, Ben, Chloe, Dev, Emma and the pair Ana + Ben
Five matches, nobody with themselves, Ana and Ben not matched
Each person is shown their own match one at a time.
About Secret Santa Generator
Secret Santa works when nobody knows who is buying for whom. This generator draws the matches and shows them one person at a time, so the person running the draw never has to see the whole list. Enter the names, add any pairs who should not be matched, and press Draw names.
Every person gives one gift and receives one, and nobody is matched with themselves. Couples and close family can be listed as pairs, written like Ana + Ben, so they are never matched in either direction. By default two people are also never matched with each other, so there is no swap. The screen then asks for each name in turn, shows that person their match and a message such as the budget, and clears it when they press the button. If the rules are too tight to be met, the page says so.
How to use Secret Santa Generator
- Type each person's name on its own line.
- Add any pairs that must not be matched, one pair per line with a plus sign between the names.
- Add a message such as the budget and the date for opening gifts.
- Press Draw names, then pass the screen to each person in turn so they can reveal their match and hide it again.
Common uses
- A family or friends gift exchange at Christmas
- An office or team gift swap with a set budget
- A class or club exchange for the end of term
- Any occasion where each person gives one present and gets one
Frequently asked questions
Can someone get themselves?
No. A person is never matched with themselves, and a draw that would do so is thrown away and tried again until every rule is met.
How do I keep couples apart?
List each couple on a line, like Ana + Ben, in the pairs box. Neither will be matched with the other. The names must match the ones in the main list, though capital letters do not matter.
What does the swap option do?
With it ticked, if Ana buys for Ben then Ben will not buy for Ana. Without it, two people can end up buying for each other, which is allowed in some groups.
Can I see the list afterwards?
No. Each match is removed from the page after it is shown, and the page cannot show the whole list. If someone forgets, run the draw again and tell everyone.
What if the draw cannot work?
Too many pairs for the size of the group can make it impossible. The page tells you, and you can remove a pair or add more people.