The Secret Santa generator that skips the faff
One link for the whole group. Everyone joins with just their name — no accounts, no email chains — and when you draw, each person secretly sees who they're buying for, with that person's wishlist attached.
Start your group — free →How it works
Make the group
Name it ("Office Do", "Family Christmas"), set an optional budget and date, and get your invite link.
Everyone joins with a name
Send the link round the group chat. Joining takes ten seconds — email optional, in case they want their match sent to them.
Draw the names
One tap. Everyone gives once, receives once, and nobody can draw themselves — each person sees only their own match.
Why groups switch from hats and paper
- No self-draws, ever — the draw is a single circle, so "I got myself, re-do it!" can't happen.
- The secret actually stays secret — there's no master list; not even the organiser can see who drew whom.
- Wishlists attached — everyone can pin their own list, so you buy something they truly want.
- Latecomers welcome — someone new joins? Re-draw in one tap, everyone gets a fresh match.
- Budget on the tin — the agreed spend sits right on the group page and in every match email.
Questions people ask
Do people need an account or app to join?
No. Joining needs a name, nothing else. Leave an email if you'd like your match delivered to your inbox when the draw happens.
Can someone draw their own name?
No — mathematically impossible here, not just unlikely. The generator assigns names around a circle so everyone gives one gift and receives one.
Can the organiser peek at the matches?
No. Each person sees only who they're buying for. There's no admin view of all matches, on purpose.
What if someone joins late or drops out?
The organiser removes them or re-draws. A re-draw refreshes everyone's match instantly (and by email for anyone who left one).
How do I know what to buy my person?
If they attached a wishlist you'll see it right under your match — real products with prices and links. If not, check back nearer the day; they can add one any time.
Is it really free?
Yes. GiftGuide earns a small commission from some shops when gifts get bought through list links — the buyer pays nothing extra.