Organise the Ultimate Secret Santa with Giftwhale
Make your Secret Santa a breeze with Giftwhale. Seamlessly draw names, set up wishlists, and enjoy a stress-free holiday celebration from start to finish!
Make your Secret Santa a breeze with Giftwhale. Seamlessly draw names, set up wishlists, and enjoy a stress-free holiday celebration from start to finish!
Secret Santa explained
Secret Santa, also known as Kris Kringle, is a popular holiday tradition where participants exchange gifts in a fun and budget-friendly way. Each person draws a name at random to determine who they will buy a gift for, using a Secret Santa generator to ensure fairness, with the giver's identity kept secret. The surprise element adds excitement as recipients try to guess who their "Secret Santa" is. It’s a festive and stress-free way to enjoy gift-giving without the expense of buying for multiple people.
The tradition is thought to have originated with American philanthropist Larry Dean Stewart, who anonymously gave gifts for over 25 years. Though Secret Santa is relatively new, the idea of holiday gift exchanges has roots in Christmas customs dating back to the Victorian era. Today, it’s a beloved activity for families, friends, and workplaces, making festive celebrations even more enjoyable.
To organise a Secret Santa, the group sets a gift budget and a date for the exchange. With only one gift to buy, participants can not only focus on finding something special for their assigned person, but also save money compared to buying for multiple people. This makes it an economical way to celebrate the festive season while still embracing the joy of giving.
At Giftwhale, our updated Secret Santa planner makes organising easier than ever. You can effortlessly set up and manage the exchange, whether it’s an in-person swap or an online celebration, keeping the festive spirit alive for everyone involved.
Have fun creating your personalised gift exchange and effortlessly invite everyone you want — let the festive fun begin!
Top features for Secret Santa
Spread holiday cheer with the perfect gift exchange app
Effortlessly organise your Secret Santa exchange and keep the holiday spirit alive with personalised wishlists and customised rules..
Child accounts streamline the entire process, catering not only to children but also to grandchildren, grandparents, friends and even a family pet you wish to pleasantly surprise.
Undercover clause is one of the best ways to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends. Find out here how to run the perfect Secret Santa game.
Giftwhale brings festive cheer worldwide with its joyful Secret Santa features. We've made organising your holiday gift exchange a breeze, so you can focus on the fun of giving and celebrating, without the hassle.
Our whole family uses Gift Whale for birthdays, special occasions like Mother’s and Father’s Day, Christmas, etc. to know what we all really want. It’s such a perfect, simple way to be able to get the perfect gifts for your loved ones and to keep track of which items have already been purchased. It’s like an in-store gift registry but way less complicated! We love it and have used it for a few years now!.
5 out of 5 stars
Giftwhale was awesome for birthday and Christmas gift wish lists and provided easy access for my family without me knowing what was reserved or purchased. 10/10!.
5 out of 5 stars
its so easy and simple to use i use it for every birthday and christmas for 2 years now.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect for our daughters birthdays and Christmas, just share to family and friends.
5 out of 5 stars
Giftwhale has helped me for years now. Both for sharing my Wishlist with others, and having my family members share theirs. For birthdays, Christmas and everything in between. Using Giftwhale means no one doubles-up on gifts; and everyone gets exactly what they want..
5 out of 5 stars
I think this website is perfect for any wish list needs! My family uses it for Christmas and birthdays and it always makes it so easy and simple..
5 out of 5 stars
Giftwhale is so helpful for Christmas and birthday lists - easy to share and reserve gifts so I don't have to split my list up for different people myself!.
5 out of 5 stars
We recently found giftwhale and have used it for Christmas and family birthdays. The add a gift online using the google chrome extension is very helpful as well..
5 out of 5 stars
Christmas gift and birthday gift buying for the whole family made easier.
4 out of 5 stars
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The rules for Secret Santa can vary depending on the group, but here are some common guidelines:
Read more on some fun ways to run a Secret Santa on our article How to Organise the Perfect Secret Santa Game.
The main purpose of Secret Santa is to spread holiday cheer and enjoy the spirit of giving without the pressure of buying gifts for everyone. It allows groups to celebrate together in a fun and budget-friendly way, focusing on thoughtful, personalised gifts rather than expensive purchases. The element of surprise and anonymity adds excitement, making it a festive and memorable tradition.
Opting for an online Secret Santa gift exchange makes the entire process easier and more convenient, especially for groups who are spread out or have busy schedules. It allows participants to organise everything digitally, from drawing names to setting gift preferences and exclusions. Online platforms can also help manage wishlists, send reminders, and even facilitate virtual gift exchanges, making it simple to stay connected and enjoy the festive fun no matter where everyone is.
Secret Santa is known by various names around the world, reflecting diverse traditions and cultures. Some common alternatives include "Kris Kringle" and "Chris Kindle," as well as "Wichteln" in Germany. In Latin American countries, it's often referred to as "Amigo Secreto," while in the Philippines, it's called "Monito-Monita." French-speaking regions might know it as "Père Noël Secret," and in some Spanish-speaking countries, it’s called "Angelito" or "Angelito de Navidad." Additionally, some people refer to it as a "Yankee Swap." Regardless of the name, the essence remains the same: a delightful, anonymous gift exchange that brings a sense of mystery and joy to the festive season.
Create your account now, and start spreading holiday cheer with the perfect gift exchange.