How Secret Santa Name works
Secret Santa Name draws names for your group and gives each person a private link that shows only who they drew. On top of the draw you can add gift picks for every Santa, organizer tools, or a pack for a whole workplace.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →Step by step
- Enter the names. One name per line, at least 3 people. You can include yourself in the draw.
- Set the rules (optional). Keep pairs apart, such as couples or housemates; an exclusion applies both ways. Add a budget cap, an exchange date and a group name.
- Add photos and interests (optional). Add a photo and a few interests for each person. We match gift picks to their interests. You can tap up to three interests per person from a fixed list. Only add photos of people who agreed to it. You can skip photos and continue with names alone.
- Draw names. You get an organizer link to save the event, plus one private link per participant. Share each link by WhatsApp, SMS, Messenger, email or copy.
- Each person opens their link. It shows who they buy for, the budget, and that person's wishlist. Each person's draw stays private to them. Participants add their own wishlist on their link, and their Santa reads it there.
- Lost link? The organizer reopens the organizer page and copies that person's link again.
Your groups are saved in this browser. On another device, use the link you were sent.
Pricing
| Option | Price | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | Included | Private links, exclusions, budget, date and wishlists |
| Gift picks + party plan | $1.90 once for the whole group | 3 gift ideas for every Santa, matched to the person's interests and inside the budget, each with a one-line reason, plus a party plan (timeline, games, venue, budget) |
| Organizer Pro | $9.90 one-time, per event, whole group | Gift picks included, plus pair records, a CSV of every participant with link status and wishlist, WhatsApp/SMS reminders for unopened links, household/couple/team exclusion groups with re-draw, anonymous Q&A, your logo, group name and accent color on every reveal page |
| Office Pack | $19 one-time | Organizer Pro on up to 10 groups, each up to 50 people, plus one combined CSV of every group |
No subscription on any option. Payment runs through Dodo Payments as merchant of record.
Upgrading to Pro: choose Organizer Pro at the upgrade step, or open your organizer page later and tap Upgrade this event. Links stay the same.
Using the Office Pack: buy it once, draw names for each team on the home page, paste each team's organizer link into your Office Pack page (Pro switches on for that group), then download one spreadsheet that tracks every team. Bookmark the Office Pack page: its link is your key.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →How gift picks work
Gift picks are ranked by the interests you tap and the budget you set. Photos help a Santa see exactly who they are buying for; photos are not sent to any AI provider and are not used for face recognition or identification. To write the one-line reason next to each idea, the gift profile (age group, chosen interests and the "avoid" note, with no names or photos) is sent to our AI model provider. The wishlist a person adds always comes first. It is a smarter guess, not mind-reading.
Limits
- Minimum 3 participants per draw. Office Pack: up to 10 groups, up to 50 people each.
- Re-draw (Pro) works until the first participant opens their link.
- The organizer does not see pairs by default. A "reveal all results" button exists for emergencies, and its use is logged on the organizer page.
- Photos are deleted 7 days after the reveal date, and never later than 60 days after the group is created, or immediately when the organizer deletes the group.
- Groups live in this browser; there is no cross-device account.
- Wishlists can contain personal data such as a delivery address; add only what the giver needs.
Questions
Is Organizer Pro a subscription?
No. It is $9.90 one-time for one event and covers the whole group.
What is the difference between gift picks and Organizer Pro?
Gift picks ($1.90) add 3 matched gift ideas per Santa and a party plan. Organizer Pro ($9.90) includes gift picks and adds pair records, CSV export, re-draw, anonymous Q&A and branding.
When do I need the Office Pack?
When you run several teams at work. $19 covers Organizer Pro on up to 10 groups of up to 50 people each, with one combined CSV.
Can I upgrade after the draw?
Yes. Open your organizer page and tap Upgrade this event. Links stay the same.
Are photos required?
No. You can skip the photo step and draw with names alone.
Are photos used by AI or for face recognition?
No. Photos are not sent to any AI provider and are not used for face recognition. Gift picks are matched by the interests you tap and your budget.
How long are photos kept?
Photos are deleted 7 days after the reveal date, and never later than 60 days after the group is created.
Can the organizer play without seeing the pairs?
Yes. Pairs stay hidden until you press Reveal on your organizer page.
Can you do Secret Santa with 3 people?
Yes. With 3 people you can add one-way exclusions, for example Ann shouldn’t draw Ben. A both-ways pair, where neither draws the other, needs 4 or more people, because with 3 it leaves no valid draw. If you add a rule like that, the tool warns you and suggests ticking “one way” or adding a 4th person.
How do I keep couples from drawing each other?
Type the couple on one line as “Ann & Ben” (or “Ann + Ben”). They become two people with an exclusion in both directions, so Ann won’t draw Ben and Ben won’t draw Ann.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →Updated October 28, 2026