Secret Santa rules: what it means and how to play
In Secret Santa, everyone in a group draws a name, then secretly buys that person a gift within a budget agreed in advance. Before the draw, agree on five things: the budget, the date, wish lists, whether you reveal who gave what, and what happens to the gift if someone cannot come. Ideas for every budget are on the Secret Santa gifts page.
By the sachukari.ge editors, prices checked 23 September 2026
What does Secret Santa mean?
Secret Santa, known in Georgian as sekret santa or saidumlo santa, is a traditional group game of exchanging New Year gifts. Each player secretly draws one person's name and becomes that person's Santa. The group agrees beforehand on one exact budget for all the gifts. On the agreed day the gifts are swapped without revealing who gave what to whom.
How to play Secret Santa
- Gather a group: colleagues, a class, friends or family.
- Agree on a budget and a date for the gift exchange.
- Assign the names: paper slips from a bowl, or an online draw.
- Buy and wrap the gift, add a small card and keep it secret.
- Exchange the gifts on the agreed day.
How do you run the draw?
Write the names on folded slips of paper and put them in a bowl. If someone draws their own name, they put it back and draw again. If the group is in different places, an online service sends each player their name privately.
How much should you spend?
The group sets the budget in advance and everyone sticks to it. Ideas sorted by the usual budgets are on the Secret Santa gifts page.
What to agree on in advance
Settle these five details before the draw, so nobody feels awkward on exchange day.
Budget
So that no gift outshines the others.
One upper limit for everyone, in lari.Date
So that everyone has time to shop.
The last working day before New Year.Wish lists
So that the gift is something they really want.
A few wishes each, on paper or in the group chat.Revealing
So that nobody spoils the surprise by accident.
Guess at the end, or never reveal.If someone can't come
So that no gift is left without an owner.
Hand it over on the next working day or send it.What to give at Secret Santa?
Ideas for every common budget, with prices and shops, are collected on one page.
Secret SantaSecret Santa at work, at school and with friends
At work
At work, pick a gift that is fine for the office and fits the limit. If the company buys gifts for everyone, see corporate New Year gifts.
At school
At school the parents agree on the budget first and keep the limit low, so every family can take part. A teacher's gift is a different matter.
With friends and family
With friends and family the group is small, so many people use a wish list to get the gift exactly right. Others leave it as a complete surprise; both work.
Questions
Can I draw my own name?
No: put the slip back and draw again.
Can we play online?
Yes: assign the names with an online service, then send the gifts by post or hand them over later.
Do I have to say it was me?
Only if the group agreed in advance to reveal; otherwise sign the card Secret Santa.
What if I don't know the person at all?
Pick something everyone uses: something tasty, a drink or something for the table.
When do people usually play?
A few weeks before New Year, with the gift exchange by 31 December.
