How to Play Secret Santa – A Complete Guide And Rules

Do you want to make your Christmas more thrilling? It is always fun to receive gifts from your loved ones at this jovial gathering. Secret Santa is one of the popular games for gift exchange, but not everyone knows how to play Secret Santa. It is more fun when all of the players understand the rules properly.

Therefore, in this guide, we have summed up the rules for how to play Secret Santa and all the information about it. We will explore it step-by-step so that a beginner can also play it like a pro. Let’s begin the fun!

A Brief Intro of Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a gift-exchange tradition that is carried on in various cultures all over the world. In this game, each player gives a gift to another anonymously. The receiver has to guess the person who gave the present. It is all fun to reveal the secret, and the players get reflective gifts from their friends. 

This cheerful game is now played on occasions other than Christmas as well. People love to play it at Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and New Year parties as well. It lets you remember the old traditions in a joyous manner and celebrate your holidays and events more lively.

Rules and Regulations for Playing Secret Santa

You know that every game has some rules and regulations, and to enjoy it, you need to understand and follow them. It’s not a hard nut to crack, as the rules are super easy to understand. Common rules for playing Secret Santa are:

1. Make a Group of People

Everyone should gather in one place and write their names on paper. After writing the names, fold the paper and put it in a bowl or hat. Toss the hat or bowl so that each paper is mixed or shuffled evenly.

2. Set Boundaries

Decide the price limitations of each gift so that everyone enjoys it fairly. Discuss it with your peers to set a budget so that nobody buys a cheaper or more expensive item. An ideal gift should be affordable to all participants. After this, set a date and place where you will play the game. You can also decide on the themes of gifts and other details.

3. Draw Names

Each participant should draw names and pick the paper to see for whom they will buy a gift. When everyone has picked the paper, they will see the names and keep it secret so that nobody can guess.

You will then decide what you could buy for that person. You can select the present of your friend’s preference if you know, but remember, it should be a secret. 

4. Planning the Event

Everyone will decide the date and bring the gifts to a chosen place. In the second meeting, everyone will bring gifts. The gift should be wrapped with the name of the person you bought it for and you have to put it under the Christmas tree. Everyone has to be present at the place on the decided date to get their surprise presents.

5. Time to Reveal the Gifts

When everyone has brought the gifts, you will all pick a present of your name and guess the person who bought it for you. You can also give some hints or clues for guessing, but it is always fun to let them guess themselves. After opening the gifts, show gratitude to the person who bought it for you.

Printer-Friendly Rules for Playing Secret Santa

Here we are providing you with the printable rules for the players of Secret Santa. You can paste it on the place where you play this game so that everyone can see the rules. 

Rules Before the Event

• Everyone should draw the name of the person whom they are buying a gift for. 
• Set the price limits and more details of the gifts, like theme, place, and time after discussing with your peers.

Rules At the Occasion

• Bring your gifts to the party with the name of the recipient written on the top. 
• All gifts are placed under the Christmas tree so that everyone can see them.
• Everyone picks his gift and unwraps it. Now, you should guess the names of your peers who bought it for you. 

Remote Secret Santa

Secret Santa is an in-person game, but if your friends or relatives are far away from you, you can play it virtually with them. Here, I will show you how to play Secret Santa remotely:

• Choose an online service or other Secret Santa generators to draw names and set a gift budget.
• The purchase of gifts can be done through emails or by selecting a courier service. 
• When the gifts are bought, you can arrange an online meeting, like a video call. Everyone will open their gifts and guess the giver’s name.

Tips for Organizing Secret Santa More Efficiently

We will give you tips to make your Secret Santa gift exchange more cheerful. Whether you play it in the office with your colleagues, with friends at any party, or even virtually, we will guide you to make it more simple and thrilling. 

1. Make a Wish List

Every person participating in the game can make a wish list of gifts he wants to receive from Secret Santa. This will help other participants to understand each other’s choices clearly.

2. Secret Santa Generators 

You can use online services for drawing names, making wish lists, etc. There are many of them such as Secret Santa Organizer etc. These online services will make your game process seamless and have more fun. 

3. Give Clues to Guess

You can make this game more thrilling by adding some hints and clues for the gift receiver. İf they can not guess the person, give them at least three chances. It will be more fun to guess if the number of participants is larger. 

4. Reward the Correct Guesser

Appreciation always boosts energy, and it encourages the players. So, there should be a reward or special prize for the winners. People whose guesses are wrong can be eliminated so the winners are clear. 

Wrap Up 

Playing games on festive occasions with family and friends is always fun. Whether you are organizing the event or planning to have fun virtually, we have shown you the rules of how to play Secret Santa to make your events more memorable. 

Now, you are all good to go with a better understanding of the rules and requirements. Let your excitement begin by following our step-by-step guide. Invite your friends and begin the barrel of laughs!