Secret Santa Generator
This Secret Santa generator draws names in a minute. No emails, no signup.
People
Add a group after a bar to stop people in it from drawing each other, for example "Ana | Lopez family".
0 people
Exclusions (optional)
Stop someone from drawing a certain person, like their partner or a housemate.
Event details (optional)
Shown to everyone on their reveal page and slip.
Draw
Everyone gives along one loop: A gives to B, B to C, and so on back to A. Turn it off to allow any valid draw, including two people who give to each other.
No emails and no signup. Your list stays in this browser.
How it works
- Type everyone's name, one per line. Add a group after a bar, like "Ana | Lopez", to keep couples or families from drawing each other.
- Add any other exclusions, plus the budget and the exchange date if you like.
- Press Draw names. Nobody draws themselves, everyone gives once and gets once, and every exclusion is kept.
- Send each person their own private link, or print slips and hand them out.
Questions and answers
Do participants need an email?
No. Nobody needs an email address or an account, and that includes you. You get one private link per person and send each link yourself, by text, chat or any messaging app. You can also print slips instead.
Can couples be kept from drawing each other?
Yes. Put the same group after each name, like "Ana | couple" and "Ben | couple", and nobody in that group draws anyone else in it. For a one-off rule, add an exclusion such as "Ana can't draw Cy", one way or both ways.
Can the organiser play too?
Yes. Add yourself to the list, use private links, and only open your own link. Don't use Show all, because it lists every pair. Links hide names from a quick glance, but anyone who opens a link can see the name in it, so send each link only to its person.
What if someone loses their link?
Open this page again in the same browser and choose "Show last draw's links". The last draw is saved on your device, so you can copy that person's link again. If you used another browser or cleared your browsing data, the draw is gone, and you'll need to redraw and send everyone a new link.
How do I do Secret Santa over WhatsApp?
Draw names here, then send each person their own link in a private chat, not in the group. "Copy all as a message list" gives you every name with its link, so you can paste them one at a time. Use the group chat for the date and the budget.
What's a good budget?
One that everyone in the group is comfortable with. Ask quietly or pick a lower amount, so nobody feels left out, and keep the same limit for everyone. Put it in the event details so it shows on every reveal page and slip.