How to Do Secret Santa With Wishlists
Want a Secret Santa where everyone actually likes their gift? Here's how to set one up step by step, with wishlists so nobody has to guess.
Secret Santa is supposed to be fun. Then you draw the coworker you've talked to twice and spend a week panicking. Adding wishlists takes the guessing out of it.
Why add wishlists to Secret Santa?
Because a lot of Secret Santa gifts miss. A Love2shop survey estimated that around 2.5 million unwanted Secret Santa gifts get thrown away in the UK every year. In instantprint's 2024 survey, 27% of people said they re-gift Secret Santa presents they don't want.
When everyone shares a short list, their Secret Santa gets real ideas that fit the budget.
How do I set up a Secret Santa with wishlists?
Pick your group. Friends, family, coworkers, or a mix. Five or more people keeps it fun.
Set a budget. Pick one price limit and make sure everyone agrees to it.
Choose a date. Decide when you'll exchange gifts and when everyone should have their list ready.
Draw names. Pull names from a hat in person, or use a free online name generator if your group is remote.
Share wishlists. Everyone makes a Listful wishlist with a few items under the budget and drops the link in the group chat.
Shop the list. Each Secret Santa picks something from their person's list. Done.
How much should you spend on Secret Santa?
Whatever works for your group. Love2shop found the average Secret Santa gift in UK offices was about £14, so a limit around $15 to $25 is a comfortable range for coworkers. Friend groups and families often go higher. The most important thing is that everyone agrees before names are drawn.
What should go on a Secret Santa wishlist?
Keep it short and under the budget. Five or six items is plenty. A few ideas that work well:
Your favorite snack or coffee, in the exact flavor
A cozy item like socks or a scarf, with your size noted
A book or game you've been meaning to try
Something small from a shop you love
Need inspiration? These nostalgic Christmas wishlist ideas have plenty of under-$25 finds.
Can you do Secret Santa with a remote group?
Yes, and wishlists make it way easier. Draw names online, have everyone share a Listful wishlist link, and ship gifts straight to each person. Since Listful works with items from any store, you can order from wherever ships fastest to your person.
How do I keep Secret Santa a secret?
Only the person who drew a name should know who they're buying for. Have everyone shop straight from the shared wishlist and wrap gifts without a "from" tag until the exchange. Using wishlists means you never have to ask your person what they want and give yourself away.
Comparing Secret Santa tools? See how Listful compares to Elfster.
FAQ
How do you do Secret Santa with wishlists? Set a budget, draw names, and have everyone share a Listful wishlist with a few items under the limit. Each Secret Santa shops straight from their person's list.
What is a good Secret Santa budget? A limit between $15 and $25 works well for most coworker groups. Ask everyone to add items under that amount to their Listful wishlist.
How many items should be on a Secret Santa wishlist? Five or six is plenty. A short Listful wishlist gives your Secret Santa options without overwhelming them.
Make this year's Secret Santa a hit. Have everyone in your group start a Listful wishlist.
Sources: Workplace Journal on Love2shop's Secret Santa survey, instantprint, The Secret Santa Survey 2024.
