🎅 Secret Santa Generator
Enter everyone's names and draw random Secret Santa gift assignments — no one ever gets themselves.
How to use the Secret Santa generator
- Enter every participant's name, one per line.
- Click Draw names to create the assignments.
- Ideally have a non-participant run it and message each person their match privately, so it stays a secret.
How the draw works
Everyone's names are shuffled and arranged into a single gift-giving loop: the first person gives
to the second, the second to the third, and so on, with the last person giving back to the first.
That guarantees a fair round where each participant gives exactly one gift and receives exactly one
— and never draws their own name. It is the simplest way to organise a Secret Santa, gift exchange,
or office White Elephant without paper slips in a hat.
Frequently asked questions
Will anyone be assigned to give a gift to themselves?
No. The draw guarantees that every person gives to someone else and receives from someone else, forming one complete loop — so nobody ever draws their own name.
How do I keep the draw secret?
The results show every pairing at once, so ideally one person who is NOT participating runs the draw and tells each giver privately. If everyone is playing, look away while one person reads out only who you were assigned.
How many people do I need?
At least three works best. With only two people the "secret" is obvious, since you would each simply have the other.
Is anything stored or shared?
No. The whole draw happens in your browser and your list is only remembered on your own device. Nothing is uploaded or sent anywhere.
What does "Copy shareable link" share?
Only the participant list (the names you typed in), so a co-organizer can open the link and skip retyping everyone. It does not share the draw — each person still needs to click Draw names themselves for a fresh, private result.
Randomantic