Secret Santa Game Ideas
Names are drawn and gifts are bought. Now how do you make the exchange itself memorable? Here are 10 ideas for friends, families and offices.
1. Guess your Secret Santa
Gifts are opened one by one and the recipient tries to guess who bought it. A correct guess wins a small prize.
2. Clue hunt
Each gift comes with three clues about the giver: “I take my coffee black”, “I didn’t go to the beach this summer”. Each clue narrows it down.
3. White Elephant (gift stealing)
Everyone brings a funny gift; players open or steal in turn. See the full White Elephant rules.
4. Themed exchange
- Books and bookmarks
- Handmade only
- Local makers
- Everything red
- A “winter box” (tea + socks + candle)
5. Poem on the package
Each gift comes with a four-line poem hinting at what’s inside, read aloud before opening.
6. Swap time
After all gifts are opened, give everyone five minutes to trade with someone else.
7. Secret mission week
Do small anonymous favours for your match the week before: a note on their desk, a coffee. A great office warm-up.
8. Wish jar
Everyone writes a New Year wish and drops it in a jar. After the gifts, read them out and guess whose is whose.
9. One-word hint
After the draw, each person shares one word about what they’d like: “Coffee”, “Books”, “Surprise”.
10. Awards
Vote for “Most creative gift”, “Best wrapping” and “Funniest gift” and hand out symbolic prizes.
Start with a fair draw: whatever game you choose, begin with a draw where couples never match. Use the generator below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Secret Santa remotely?
Draw names online, ship the gifts and open them one by one on a video call. The guessing game and clue game work great remotely.
What’s the best game for the office?
The guessing game and White Elephant are office favourites: quick, inclusive and low-pressure.