Secret Santa Rules (Simple Ones That Keep It Fair)
Secret Santa works best with a few clear rules agreed before anyone draws a name. Here are the ones most groups settle on. Change them to suit your group.
The basic rules
Everyone buys for one person. Each name is drawn once, and nobody can draw themselves.
Keep it secret. Nobody tells their match who they have until the gifts are opened. That includes the organizer, if you use private links.
Set a budget. Anywhere from $10 to $30 is common. Agree on the number up front so nobody overspends or feels awkward.
Pick a date. Settle on the exchange date and a deadline for buying, so nobody is shopping the night before.
Rules worth adding
No couples or housemates drawing each other. They usually shop together, which spoils the surprise. In PickMySanta, open âAdd rulesâ and type their names with an & between them.
No repeats from last year. Keep âRemember this drawâ ticked and the tool can avoid last yearâs matches next time on the same device.
Share hints. A short hint like âloves coffeeâ or âinto hikingâ makes a big difference when you barely know someone.