Secret Santa Generator

How it works

1. Enter the names. Add everyone taking part, with one name on each line. You need at least three people, and the generator supports up to 60 names.
2. Optionally exclude a pair. If two people should not draw each other, put their names on one line separated by |, such as Ava | Ben. Add one pair per line. The exclusion works in both directions.
3. Draw the names. Click Draw names. The generator creates the complete Secret Santa assignment while keeping everyone from drawing themselves and respecting any excluded pairs.
4. Pass the device around. Each person taps their own name, sees who they are buying for, and then taps Hide and pass on. The next person can then take their turn without the previous match being displayed.

No email, no signup, nothing stored

You don't need to collect everyone's email address or create an account. Enter the names on one device and make the draw in the browser.

The device is then passed around the group. Each person opens only their own name to see their match, then hides it before passing the device on. The draw stays on the page while it is open and is not saved for later.

The trade-off is that this works best when everyone is together. If your group is spread across different places, you need a way to deliver each match separately. For an in-person exchange, one shared device avoids collecting email addresses altogether.

Nobody draws themselves — and the shortcut that breaks it

The generator always keeps each person from being assigned their own name. It also checks any excluded pairs before accepting the draw.

Instead of simply putting everyone in a fixed circle and giving each person the next name, it shuffles the names and checks the resulting assignment. If a shuffle breaks one of the rules, it tries again.

This also means two people can legitimately draw each other. Reciprocal pairs are allowed unless you specifically exclude that pair.

Keeping couples apart

To keep two people from drawing each other, put their names on the same line in the exclusion box: Ava | Ben.

Add each excluded pair on its own line. The order doesn't matter: Ava | Ben prevents both Ava drawing Ben and Ben drawing Ava.

The generator checks the exclusions before creating the draw. If someone has been excluded from everyone else, there is nobody they can draw, so the generator tells you to remove an exclusion or add more people.

Running a good Secret Santa

• Agree a budget first, and make it clear to everyone before the draw.
• Set the exchange date when you organise the draw so everyone knows when their gift is needed.
• Share wish lists separately if your group wants them. A few gift ideas can make choosing easier without revealing who has whom.
• Draw only after the final group is confirmed. If someone joins or leaves afterwards, start a new draw so everyone has a consistent assignment.

Frequently asked questions