How to write a Secret Santa wishlist

A good wishlist makes shopping easy for your Santa and still leaves room for a surprise. On this site each person edits their wishlist from their own private link, and only their Secret Santa can see it.

What to include

Two or three concrete ideas within the budget.
Likes: favorite colors, hobbies, snacks, drinks.
No-gos: allergies, scents, things you already own.
Sizes if clothing is allowed.
Delivery address for virtual exchanges.

Example

Love: dark chocolate, hiking, mystery novels, green. Ideas: a trail snack mix, a paperback thriller, warm gloves (size M). Please no: scented candles, mugs (I have too many).

More examples

Office exchange ($20)

Love: tea, desk plants, podcasts. Ideas: a loose-leaf tea sampler, a small self-watering plant. Please no: food with nuts (allergy).

Virtual exchange

Ideas: a crossword book, fleece gloves (size S). Ship to: the delivery address I'll put here a week before the ship-by date. E-gift cards are fine too.

For a child (written by a parent)

Mia, 8: loves dinosaurs, drawing and LEGO-style bricks. Ideas: a sketchbook with markers, a dinosaur puzzle. Please no: slime.

Privacy tips

For children, use a first name or nickname only. Don't add a child's full name, school or home address. Ship to a parent's address instead.
Only add an address if your exchange needs shipping, and only share what the giver needs.
Wishlists are deleted with the group, automatically after 120 days or earlier if the organizer deletes it.

Leaving room for surprise

Give categories, not exact products ("a cozy mystery novel" rather than one title), unless you really need one specific thing. Your Santa gets direction and still gets to choose.

Questions

Who can see my wishlist?

Only the person who drew your name, on their reveal page. The organizer can't see it from the organizer page.

Can I change my wishlist later?

Yes. Open your private link again, edit the text and save. Your Santa sees the latest version.

How long should a wishlist be?

Two or three ideas plus a few likes and no-gos is enough. Long lists make choosing harder, not easier.

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Updated October 27, 2026