Secret Santa generator

How it works

1. Type the names, one per line, and anyone who must not draw each other — couples, say.
2. Add the budget, the date and a note if you like, then draw.
3. Send each person their link by WhatsApp or copy it into a message. Opening it shows only whom they give to.
4. All in one room? Pass the phone round with “Show on this device”, or print slips to fold and hand out.

Frequently asked questions

Is it fair?

Yes. Every arrangement where nobody draws themselves or someone they are kept apart from is equally likely — with eight people and two couples there are 8,132 of them — and the draw uses your browser’s cryptographic random numbers.

Can the organiser see who everyone has?

Not on the screen: after the draw only names and buttons are shown. But a link is not locked — whoever opens it sees that card — so an organiser who is also playing could peek. If that matters, let each person look in turn on one device, print the slips, or have someone who is not playing send the links.

Is anything sent to a server?

No. The draw is made in your browser, and each person’s card travels in their link after the # sign, a part of the address browsers never send to a server. The page reads it on the phone that opens it. The names are kept on this device only, for next time.

Can we organise it online, without meeting up?

Yes. Draw once, then send each person their own link by WhatsApp, text or email; each link opens only that person’s card, on any phone. Add the budget and the date so everyone sees them, and print the Secret Santa questionnaire — or send it round — so each giver knows their person’s favourites, sizes and allergies.

What if I draw again, or it says no draw works?

A new draw replaces the old one, but links already sent still show the old result — send everyone their new link. “No draw works” means the rules leave someone nobody to draw: with Mum, Dad, Sam and Lily, the line “Mum + Dad + Sam” leaves all three only Lily. Remove a rule and draw again.

Do people need an email address or an account?

No. Anyone with the link can open their card on any phone or computer, and nobody signs up.

What about a white elephant or a dice game instead?

For a gift exchange where gifts are opened and stolen, use the white elephant generator: it shuffles the turn order, tracks every steal and locks a gift at the limit. For the dice version, where everyone rolls to swap and pass gifts against a timer, use the dice gift exchange game.