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Secret Santa Generator

Draw names online and send each person a private link that shows only who they got. No signup, no email, no app.

1Who's playing?0 people

One per line, or separated by commas. Everything stays in your browser.

2Any rules? Optional

Keep couples apart, add a budget and date

One group per line, like couples or siblings. It works both ways.

Free for groups of up to 500

How to use the Secret Santa Generator

  1. Add the names

    Paste everyone's names, one per line or separated by commas. Add a last initial if two people share a name.

  2. Set the rules

    Open Options to keep couples or siblings apart, and add a budget and exchange date.

  3. Send the links

    Tap Draw names, then copy or share each person's link. The tracker shows who still needs theirs.

Exclusions: keeping couples and families apart

Put each group on its own line, with names separated by commas: Alex, Jamie means Alex won’t draw Jamie and Jamie won’t draw Alex. A line like Sam, Priya, Leo keeps all three apart, which is handy for families joining a bigger exchange.

The more exclusions you add, the fewer ways there are to draw. If no draw is possible, the tool tells you, and removing one exclusion usually fixes it. In a group of three or four people, exclusions run out of options fast.

Each person gets their own link, and the match is scrambled into the end of it, so you can’t read the name just by looking. Opening the link greets them by name with a gift to tap open; inside is the person they’re buying for, plus your budget and date.

Nothing is uploaded, so there is no server copy to look up later. That keeps the draw between you and your group, but it also means you should keep the tab open until everyone has their link: the tracker above the list counts how many you’ve sent. The scrambling stops someone from reading a link at a glance; it isn’t encryption, so send each link only to the person it belongs to.

Quick Secret Santa rules

  • Set one budget. $20 to $30 is a common range for friends; offices often go lower. Say whether it’s a cap or a target.
  • Pick a date and a format. In person, mailed, or a video call where everyone opens gifts together.
  • Ask for hints. A short wish list or three things they like saves everyone from buying another mug.
  • Decide on the reveal. Some groups guess their Santa before revealing; others keep it secret forever.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an account or email addresses?

No. The draw runs in your browser and you share the links any way you like: text, WhatsApp, Slack or email. Nobody signs up.

Is it really free?

Yes. Every feature is free for groups of 3 to 500 people. Ads may appear below the tool to keep it free; the draw itself never asks you to pay.

Can the organizer see who got whom?

Yes, if they want to: the organizer has everyone's links, and Show all matches lists every pair. For players the draw is anonymous, since each person only ever sees their own match. If the organizer is playing too, they should send the links without opening them and leave Show all matches closed.

How do I keep couples from drawing each other?

Open Options and add a line with their names under Who shouldn't draw each other, separated by a comma. It works both ways, and you can put a whole family on one line.

Can I add a wish list?

Not inside the tool yet. The easiest way is to ask everyone to post three gift hints in the group chat, or to put "wish lists in the chat" in the event name so it shows on every card.

What happens if I draw again?

You get completely new matches and new links. Links you already sent keep showing the old matches, so only draw again if you'll send everyone their new link. The tool warns you first if any links have gone out.

What if someone loses their link?

Ask the organizer to copy that person's link again from the same screen. If the page was closed, draw again and send everyone new links, since the old matches can't be recovered.

Is my list stored anywhere?

Only on your device. The names are saved in your browser so a refresh doesn't wipe them. Each link contains just one person's match in scrambled form, so treat links like a private message.

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