How to organise your work’s secret santa to be fun and inclusive this year - 2024
Okay lets be honest, workplace secret santa can kind of suck. You are scared of drawing your boss and having no idea what to get him outside of a “worlds best boss” mug and let’s not get started on not wanting to receive another candle (do I really show that little personality in the office).
Well, we’ve tried out absolute darndest to make this years office secret santa the best ever. We’ve done our research and added some unique tips in here to make this easy to setup during your busy work schedule. As well as making the experience fun and inclusive for everyone in your organisation.
Step by step instructions for how to run your Secret Santa at work
1. Gather participants:
Firstly you need to establish who in your team wants to participate so that you can do the name draw on a platform like our workplace secret santa.
Inclusivity tip: Mention the idea in a meeting and ask your team to directly message you if they don’t want to be involved. Of course we want the whole team to participate but for relgious, financial or some other reason your colleague may not be able to. So, to avoid them feeling peer pressured, give them an easy way to take themselves out of the draw.
2.Set a budget and exchange date:
Agree on a spending limit, typically between £10 to £30, to ensure everyone receives a gift of similar value. Also, get a date in everyone's diaries for when to exchange gifts, if you are doing a work/team christmas party then this is the perfect time.
You can also think about setting a theme, checkout our list here
Top tip: Add a calender event into your teams shared google calendar for when to exchange gifts and for a deadline to have bought their gift.
3. Draw names
Use an online generator like our christmas gift exchange to draw names. All you'll have to do is enter everyone's name that is participating and share the link created to everyone so they can draw their name.
4. Create wish lists:
Our platform also allows everyone to add ideas for their secret santa when they draw their name so the person buying for them has more inspiration and isn't left guessing.
We also have an application on the Google and Apple stores where you can add your friends and family to share your lists and add suggestions for other members of the family. You can download it here
5. Send out reminders:
Send out reminders to everyone a couple weeks before the exchange date to make sure no one is empty handed on the day.
6. Exchange Gifts:
The day has arrived for everyone to exchange their gifts. Hopefully that was a much less stressful, less expensive and more fun christmas. Filled with meaningful gifts all round.
Top tip: Unfortunatley sometimes people forget to buy a gift or buy a bad one so bring an extra box of chocolates in case anyone is left empty handed.
Conclusion
Secret Santa is more than just an exchange of gifts – it’s a heartwarming tradition that brings people together, sprinkling a dash of mystery, joy, and thoughtfulness into the festive season. By adding creative themes, encouraging handmade gifts, and embracing the digital era, you can infuse new life and excitement into this cherished tradition.
Respecting budgets, cultural sensitivities, and maintaining the element of surprise ensures everyone feels valued and respected. Utilizing tools like Secret Santa generators simplifies the organization process, making it a smooth and enjoyable experience for all involved.
In conclusion, the success of a Secret Santa exchange lies in meticulous planning, a sprinkle of creativity, and a generous dose of thoughtfulness and consideration for each participant’s tastes and preferences. Embrace the spirit of giving, celebrate the joy of togetherness, and make your Secret Santa exchange a memorable highlight of the festive season!
Use our secret santa app built specicaly for the workplace.
Check out our other guides to Secret Santa
How to do Secret Santa with your Family (and why it's better)
How to make your workplace secret santa more fun