[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":871},["ShallowReactive",2],{"post-secret-santa-rules-en":3,"related-posts-secret-santa-rules-en":467,"related-categories-secret-santa-rules-en":486,"mdc--x4p341-key":499,"mdc--lo8h9x-key":511,"mdc-d5dp9o-key":520,"mdc-egi7r4-key":529,"mdc--ralomq-key":538,"mdc-7jcept-key":547,"mdc--mzn9td-key":556,"mdc-49m7rn-key":565,"mdc--tuds19-key":574,"mdc--xl6icp-key":583,"mdc-conxf1-key":592,"mdc--9u6e60-key":601,"mdc--3dcwvw-key":610,"mdc-2c6nk9-key":619,"mdc--u9l03r-key":628,"mdc--j641jf-key":637,"mdc-zbk5ly-key":646,"mdc-64r8si-key":655,"mdc-csjfss-key":664,"mdc-eqmhi6-key":673,"mdc--b850qe-key":682,"mdc-cmm19l-key":691,"mdc--l25032-key":700,"mdc-oi9cgt-key":709,"mdc--c3xz99-key":718,"mdc-r4l6ca-key":727,"mdc-lelubl-key":736,"mdc--kp1urv-key":745,"mdc--pf6ave-key":754,"mdc-v3hc5t-key":763,"mdc-odb2i8-key":772,"mdc--gt53lq-key":781,"mdc--itl9iy-key":790,"mdc--9rbqnb-key":799,"mdc--790nz4-key":808,"mdc-8u0l9k-key":817,"mdc--9pdo68-key":826,"mdc--1kx0hl-key":835,"mdc--19oa3v-key":844,"mdc--hgyard-key":853,"mdc--27bhah-key":862},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"authorImageUrl":7,"authorUrl":8,"body":9,"categorySlug":436,"categoryText":437,"dateModified":438,"datePublished":439,"description":440,"extension":441,"faqs":442,"image":458,"language":459,"meta":460,"navigation":461,"path":462,"seo":463,"sitemap":464,"stem":465,"__hash__":466},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-rules.md","Secret Santa Rules: The Complete Guide for Every Group","Bruma","\u002Fimages\u002Fauthors\u002Fbruma.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fbrumaombra.com",{"type":10,"value":11,"toc":421},"minimark",[12,30,37,40,48,51,56,62,67,73,78,80,84,90,93,110,113,117,125,127,131,140,146,149,152,158,160,164,170,185,193,200,202,206,212,215,218,221,225,233,235,239,245,248,259,262,264,268,274,277,280,290,298,300,304,310,313,325,327,331,337,340,352,354,358,364,370,376,382,393,395,399,405,416],[13,14,15,19,20,23,24,29],"p",{},[16,17,18],"strong",{},"TL;DR:"," The core Secret Santa rules are simple: ",[16,21,22],{},"everyone draws one name at random, nobody draws themselves, and each person secretly buys a gift for their match within an agreed budget."," Matches stay secret until the exchange day. Add exclusions for couples, a clear gift deadline and a plan for anyone who can't attend, and your exchange will run smoothly. The easiest way to follow every rule is an ",[25,26,28],"nuxt-link-locale",{"to":27},"\u002Fdraw\u002Fstep1","online Secret Santa draw",".",[13,31,32,33,36],{},"Secret Santa looks easy on paper: draw names, buy gifts, swap them. ",[16,34,35],{},"But most Secret Santa problems come from rules nobody agreed on."," One person spends $80 while everyone else spends $20. Someone draws their own partner. A participant forgets the exchange date, and their recipient goes home empty-handed.",[13,38,39],{},"This guide collects every rule you need in one place. You'll find the basic rules that every group follows, the rules for drawing names fairly, and the optional rules you can add to make your exchange more fun.",[13,41,42,43,47],{},"If you're completely new to the game, start with ",[25,44,46],{"to":45},"\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-is-secret-santa","what Secret Santa is and how it works",", then come back here to set your rules.",[49,50],"hr",{},[52,53,55],"h2",{"id":54},"the-basic-rules-of-secret-santa","The Basic Rules of Secret Santa",[13,57,58,59],{},"These are the rules almost every Secret Santa follows, whether it's a family, a group of friends or an office team. ",[16,60,61],{},"If you only share one thing with your group, share this list.",[63,64],"blog-list",{":items":65,"variant":66},"[\"Everyone draws exactly one name: Each participant gives one gift and receives one gift. Nobody is left out and nobody gets two.\",\"Nobody draws themselves: If someone draws their own name, the draw is redone. Online tools handle this automatically.\",\"Keep your match secret: Don't tell anyone who you drew, not even the organizer. The mystery is the whole point.\",\"Respect the budget: Spend close to the agreed amount, and never much more. The budget keeps every gift equal.\",\"Buy for your recipient, not for yourself: Think about what they like, not what you would want to receive.\",\"Wrap your gift and label it: Write the recipient's name on the tag, but not your own.\",\"Bring your gift on the exchange day: If you can't attend, arrange for your gift to arrive anyway.\",\"Be a good sport: Thank your Santa, even if the gift isn't exactly your style.\"]","numbered",[13,68,69,72],{},[16,70,71],{},"That's the whole game in eight rules."," Everything else in this guide helps you apply them to your specific group.",[74,75],"blog-table",{":headers":76,":rows":77},"[\"Rule\",\"What to decide\",\"Common choice\"]","[[\"Participants\",\"Who joins the draw\",\"Everyone who opts in, 3 people or more\"],[\"Budget\",\"How much each gift costs\",\"$15 - $25 at work, $25 - $50 with friends\"],[\"Exclusions\",\"Who can't draw whom\",\"Partners and roommates\"],[\"Gift deadline\",\"When gifts must be ready\",\"The day of the exchange\"],[\"Reveal\",\"Whether givers reveal themselves\",\"Guessing game, then reveal\"],[\"Theme\",\"Optional gift theme\",\"None, or one simple theme\"]]",[49,79],{},[52,81,83],{"id":82},"rules-for-drawing-names","Rules for Drawing Names",[13,85,86,87],{},"The draw is where most mistakes happen. ",[16,88,89],{},"A fair Secret Santa draw is random, private, and never assigns anyone to themselves.",[13,91,92],{},"With paper slips in a hat, the classic problem is the last person drawing their own name, which forces a full redraw. Paper slips also make exclusions hard: you can't easily stop partners from drawing each other without someone checking the slips, which breaks the secrecy.",[13,94,95,96,100,101,104,105,109],{},"That's why most groups now use an online draw. With ",[25,97,99],{"to":98},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-amazing-secret-santa-works","Amazing Secret Santa",", you add names and emails, set exclusions, and draw. ",[16,102,103],{},"Each participant receives their match by email, and nobody, not even the organizer, sees the full list of pairs."," Our step-by-step guide on ",[25,106,108],{"to":107},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-draw-names-for-secret-santa-online","how to draw names for Secret Santa online"," walks you through it.",[13,111,112],{},"A few more rules keep the draw fair:",[63,114],{":items":115,"variant":116},"[\"Close the guest list before drawing: Adding someone after the draw means redoing it for everyone.\",\"Draw names early: Two to four weeks before the exchange gives everyone time to shop without stress.\",\"Don't redraw because you dislike your match: A redraw is only for real problems, like drawing yourself or an excluded person.\",\"Let the organizer play too: With an online draw, the organizer doesn't know the pairs, so they can join like everyone else.\"]","checkmark",[13,118,119,120,124],{},"Still drawing names on paper or in a spreadsheet? Our comparison of a ",[25,121,123],{"to":122},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-app-vs-spreadsheet-which-is-better","Secret Santa app vs a spreadsheet"," shows why the online option saves time and keeps the pairs private.",[49,126],{},[52,128,130],{"id":129},"exclusion-rules-who-shouldnt-draw-whom","Exclusion Rules: Who Shouldn't Draw Whom",[13,132,133],{},[134,135],"img",{"alt":136,"height":137,"src":138,"width":139},"Couple exchanging Christmas gifts at home",667,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fcouple-gifts.png",1000,[13,141,142,143],{},"Exclusions are rules that stop specific people from being matched. ",[16,144,145],{},"The most common exclusion is between partners, because couples already exchange gifts and a Secret Santa match between them feels like a wasted draw.",[13,147,148],{},"Other common exclusions include:",[63,150],{":items":151,"variant":116},"[\"Roommates or people who live together\",\"Parents and their young children, so kids get a surprise from someone else\",\"A manager and their direct report, in some workplaces\",\"Last year's pairs, if your group wants variety\"]",[13,153,154,157],{},[16,155,156],{},"Keep exclusions to a minimum."," Every exclusion reduces the number of possible matches, and in small groups too many exclusions can make a valid draw impossible. As a simple rule, give each person no more than one or two exclusions in a group of fewer than ten.",[49,159],{},[52,161,163],{"id":162},"budget-rules","Budget Rules",[13,165,166,167],{},"The budget is the rule that protects everyone's feelings. ",[16,168,169],{},"Agree on it before names are drawn, and treat it as a firm cap, not a suggestion.",[13,171,172,173,176,177,180,181,184],{},"Typical budgets are ",[16,174,175],{},"$15 to $25 for coworkers",", ",[16,178,179],{},"$25 to $50 for friends and family",", and ",[16,182,183],{},"$10 to $20 for gag gift exchanges",". Some groups set a range, like $15 to $25, so nobody spends too much or too little.",[13,186,187,188,192],{},"Going a dollar or two over is fine. Spending double the budget isn't, because it makes other gifts look small. Our full guide to ",[25,189,191],{"to":190},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-budget-rules-whats-reasonable","Secret Santa budget rules"," covers every group, including kids and mixed-income teams.",[13,194,195,196,29],{},"Need inspiration that fits the budget? Browse the ",[25,197,199],{"to":198},"\u002Fblog\u002F50-best-secret-santa-gift-ideas-under-25","best Secret Santa gifts under $25",[49,201],{},[52,203,205],{"id":204},"gift-rules-whats-allowed-and-what-to-avoid","Gift Rules: What's Allowed and What to Avoid",[13,207,208,209],{},"Most groups don't write gift rules down, but they should. ",[16,210,211],{},"A short list of what's off-limits prevents the most awkward moments of the exchange.",[13,213,214],{},"Gifts that are usually welcome:",[63,216],{":items":217,"variant":116},"[\"Something connected to the recipient's hobbies or interests\",\"Quality everyday items, like a good mug, a book or cozy socks\",\"Treats and gourmet food, if you know about allergies\",\"Gift cards, if your group agrees they're allowed\"]",[13,219,220],{},"Gifts to avoid, especially at work:",[63,222],{":items":223,"variant":224},"[\"Anything offensive, political or too personal\",\"Alcohol, unless you know the recipient drinks and your group is fine with it\",\"Clothing in a specific size, unless you're sure\",\"Regifted items that look regifted\",\"Cash, which removes the thought from the gift\"]","cross",[13,226,227,228,232],{},"If you drew someone you barely know, our guide to ",[25,229,231],{"to":230},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-gift-ideas-for-coworkers-who-you-dont-know-well","gifts for coworkers you don't know well"," has safe ideas that work for anyone.",[49,234],{},[52,236,238],{"id":237},"secrecy-rules","Secrecy Rules",[13,240,241,242],{},"Secrecy is what makes Secret Santa different from a normal gift exchange. ",[16,243,244],{},"Until the exchange day, nobody should know who drew whom.",[13,246,247],{},"That means no hints on the group chat, no comparing matches with friends, and no asking the organizer to peek at the list. With an online draw, the organizer can't peek anyway, because the pairs are never shown to anyone.",[13,249,250,251,254,255,29],{},"But secrecy doesn't mean guessing blindly. ",[16,252,253],{},"You can ask your recipient questions without revealing who you are."," Amazing Secret Santa gives every participant a private anonymous chat with their match, so you can ask about sizes, allergies or favorite colors without breaking the secret. Need a list of questions? Use our free ",[25,256,258],{"to":257},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-questionnaire","Secret Santa questionnaire",[13,260,261],{},"What if someone finds out their Santa? Nothing dramatic. Ask them to keep it to themselves and carry on. There's no need to redo the draw.",[49,263],{},[52,265,267],{"id":266},"exchange-day-rules","Exchange Day Rules",[13,269,270,271],{},"The exchange day is the highlight of the game. ",[16,272,273],{},"Set the date, time and place when you announce the draw, so everyone plans their shopping around it.",[13,275,276],{},"A few rules help the day go smoothly:",[63,278],{":items":279,"variant":66},"[\"Everyone brings their wrapped gift: Label it with the recipient's name only.\",\"Open gifts one at a time: This way everyone sees each gift and the reactions.\",\"Play the guessing game: Before revealing, recipients guess who their Santa was.\",\"Decide on the reveal: Givers can reveal themselves, or stay anonymous forever if your group prefers.\",\"Have a plan for absentees: Gifts from people who can't come should be dropped off early or shipped directly.\"]",[13,281,282,285,286,29],{},[16,283,284],{},"The absentee rule matters more than it seems."," Nobody should leave the exchange without a gift, so the organizer should know in advance which gifts are arriving late and hold them until the recipient is present. For fun ways to end the day, try these ",[25,287,289],{"to":288},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-reveal-ideas","Secret Santa reveal ideas",[13,291,292,293,297],{},"For teams spread across cities, the rules change a little: gifts are shipped and opened on a video call. Our guide on ",[25,294,296],{"to":295},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-host-a-virtual-secret-santa-for-remote-teams","hosting a virtual Secret Santa"," covers shipping deadlines and online reveals.",[49,299],{},[52,301,303],{"id":302},"secret-santa-rules-for-the-office","Secret Santa Rules for the Office",[13,305,306,307],{},"Office exchanges need a few extra rules, because colleagues have different budgets, backgrounds and comfort levels. ",[16,308,309],{},"At work, Secret Santa must always be optional.",[63,311],{":items":312,"variant":116},"[\"Make participation voluntary, with no pressure to join\",\"Keep the budget low, so junior staff can join comfortably\",\"Ban gifts that could be seen as offensive or too personal\",\"Schedule the exchange during work hours, so everyone can attend\",\"Use a draw where the organizer can't see the pairs, to keep it fair\"]",[13,314,315,316,320,321,29],{},"Our ",[25,317,319],{"to":318},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhr-guide-to-running-secret-santa-at-work","HR guide to running Secret Santa at work"," goes deeper on inclusivity, timing and communication. For gift ideas that get a laugh without getting anyone in trouble, see our ",[25,322,324],{"to":323},"\u002Fblog\u002Ffunny-secret-santa-gifts-for-coworkers","funny Secret Santa gifts for coworkers",[49,326],{},[52,328,330],{"id":329},"optional-rules-to-make-it-more-fun","Optional Rules to Make It More Fun",[13,332,333,334],{},"Once the basic rules are in place, you can add a twist. ",[16,335,336],{},"Pick one optional rule, not five, so the game stays easy to follow.",[63,338],{":items":339,"variant":116},"[\"A theme: Everyone buys a gift that fits a theme, like cozy, handmade or a favorite color.\",\"A wishlist: Each person shares three ideas in their chat, and the Santa picks one or surprises them.\",\"Handmade only: Gifts must be made by the giver, which works well for creative groups.\",\"Letter rule: The gift must start with the first letter of the recipient's name.\",\"Poem tag: Each gift comes with a short rhyme that hints at the giver.\",\"Swap round: After opening, people can trade gifts, borrowing a twist from White Elephant.\"]",[13,341,342,343,347,348,29],{},"For more ideas, see our list of ",[25,344,346],{"to":345},"\u002Fblog\u002F10-fun-secret-santa-themes-to-spice-up-your-party","fun Secret Santa themes",". Curious about the game where gifts get stolen? See ",[25,349,351],{"to":350},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-vs-white-elephant","Secret Santa vs White Elephant",[49,353],{},[52,355,357],{"id":356},"what-if-someone-breaks-the-rules","What If Someone Breaks the Rules?",[13,359,360,361],{},"Even with clear rules, things go wrong. ",[16,362,363],{},"Handle rule-breaking kindly: the goal is a happy exchange, not a courtroom.",[13,365,366,369],{},[16,367,368],{},"Someone forgot their gift:"," they give it a few days later, and the recipient gets it then. If they won't, the organizer can step in with a small backup gift.",[13,371,372,375],{},[16,373,374],{},"Someone went far over budget:"," thank them and move on. Remind the group of the budget next year.",[13,377,378,381],{},[16,379,380],{},"Someone revealed their match early:"," no redraw needed. Ask them to keep quiet and let the game continue.",[13,383,384,387,388,392],{},[16,385,386],{},"Someone dropped out after the draw:"," with a small group, redraw. With a bigger one, the person who drew them can take their recipient instead. Running out of time? Our list of ",[25,389,391],{"to":390},"\u002Fblog\u002Flast-minute-secret-santa-gift-ideas","last-minute Secret Santa gifts"," can save the day.",[49,394],{},[52,396,398],{"id":397},"share-the-rules-before-you-draw","Share the Rules Before You Draw",[13,400,401,404],{},[16,402,403],{},"The best Secret Santa rules are the ones everyone reads before the draw."," Write down your budget, exclusions, gift deadline, exchange date and any optional rule, and share them with the group. With an online draw, you can add the budget, the exchange date and a short message to the draw itself, so they appear in every participant's email.",[13,406,407,408,180,412,415],{},"Then follow the steps in ",[25,409,411],{"to":410},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-organize-the-perfect-secret-santa","how to organize the perfect Secret Santa",[25,413,414],{"to":27},"draw names for free",". The online draw applies the most important rules for you: nobody draws themselves, exclusions are respected, and the pairs stay secret.",[13,417,418],{},[16,419,420],{},"Happy Gifting!",{"title":422,"searchDepth":423,"depth":423,"links":424},"",2,[425,426,427,428,429,430,431,432,433,434,435],{"id":54,"depth":423,"text":55},{"id":82,"depth":423,"text":83},{"id":129,"depth":423,"text":130},{"id":162,"depth":423,"text":163},{"id":204,"depth":423,"text":205},{"id":237,"depth":423,"text":238},{"id":266,"depth":423,"text":267},{"id":302,"depth":423,"text":303},{"id":329,"depth":423,"text":330},{"id":356,"depth":423,"text":357},{"id":397,"depth":423,"text":398},"rules","Rules","2026-10-01T00:00:00Z","2026-09-30T00:00:00Z","Every Secret Santa rule in one place: how to draw names fairly, set a budget, handle exclusions, keep it secret and run the exchange day, plus fun twists.","md",[443,446,449,452,455],{"question":444,"answer":445},"What are the rules of Secret Santa?","Everyone draws one name at random, nobody draws themselves, and each person secretly buys a gift for their match within an agreed budget. Matches stay secret until the exchange day, when everyone brings their gift. Many groups also add exclusions, a theme or a gift deadline.",{"question":447,"answer":448},"Can you draw yourself in Secret Santa?","No. If you draw your own name from a hat, put it back and draw again, or redo the whole draw if you are the last person. An online draw avoids the problem completely, because it never assigns anyone to themselves.",{"question":450,"answer":451},"Do you have to tell people who you got in Secret Santa?","No, and you shouldn't. Keeping your match secret is the core rule of Secret Santa. Some groups reveal givers during the exchange or let people guess who their Santa was, but until then, your match stays private.",{"question":453,"answer":454},"What happens if someone can't come to the Secret Santa exchange?","They should still give their gift, either by dropping it off early, asking a friend to bring it, or shipping it directly. Their recipient should not be left empty-handed, so the organizer can collect the gift and hand it over on the day.",{"question":456,"answer":457},"Can couples get each other in Secret Santa?","They can, but most groups add an exclusion so partners don't draw each other, since they already exchange gifts. The same rule often applies to roommates or close family members. Online draw tools let you set these exclusions before drawing names.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fgift-exchange-outside.png","en",{},true,"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-rules",{"title":5,"description":440},{"loc":462},"blog\u002Fsecret-santa-rules","Co_Hk-Hpp-Cg37YCTmhaVWKD9kXzok6THMAW_MYxo-4",[468,473,478,482],{"title":469,"description":470,"image":471,"categoryText":472,"path":318},"HR Guide to Running Secret Santa at Work","A comprehensive guide for HR professionals to organize a successful, professional, and fun Secret Santa event in the workplace.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhr-secret-santa.png","Guide",{"title":474,"description":475,"image":476,"categoryText":477,"path":230},"Gender-Neutral Secret Santa Gifts for Coworkers You Barely Know","Drew a coworker you barely know? These safe, gender-neutral Secret Santa gifts work for anyone: desk upgrades, tech accessories, treats and cozy essentials.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fgift-stranger.png","Gift Ideas",{"title":479,"description":480,"image":481,"categoryText":472,"path":45},"What Is Secret Santa? Meaning, Rules and How It Works","Secret Santa is a gift exchange where everyone secretly buys a gift for one randomly drawn person. Learn how it works, the rules and why groups love it.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Ffamily-gifts.png",{"title":483,"description":484,"image":485,"categoryText":437,"path":190},"Secret Santa Budget Rules (What’s Reasonable?)","How much should you spend on Secret Santa? Typical budgets are $15 to $25 at work and $25 to $50 for friends and family. See the rules for every group.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Foffice-budget.png",[487,491,496],{"name":477,"slug":488,"count":489,"image":490},"gift-ideas",7,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fgifts-under-25.jpg",{"name":492,"slug":493,"count":494,"image":495},"Themes","themes",3,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Foffice-gift-exchange-3.png",{"name":472,"slug":497,"count":489,"image":498},"guide","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fsanta-thumbs-up.png",{"data":500,"body":501},{},{"type":502,"children":503},"root",[504],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":506,"children":507},"element",{},[508],{"type":509,"value":510},"text","Parents and their young children, so kids get a surprise from someone else",{"data":512,"body":513},{},{"type":502,"children":514},[515],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":516,"children":517},{},[518],{"type":509,"value":519},"Roommates or people who live together",{"data":521,"body":522},{},{"type":502,"children":523},[524],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":525,"children":526},{},[527],{"type":509,"value":528},"A manager and their direct report, in some workplaces",{"data":530,"body":531},{},{"type":502,"children":532},[533],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":534,"children":535},{},[536],{"type":509,"value":537},"Last year's pairs, if your group wants variety",{"data":539,"body":540},{},{"type":502,"children":541},[542],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":543,"children":544},{},[545],{"type":509,"value":546},"Something connected to the recipient's hobbies or interests",{"data":548,"body":549},{},{"type":502,"children":550},[551],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":552,"children":553},{},[554],{"type":509,"value":555},"Quality everyday items, like a good mug, a book or cozy socks",{"data":557,"body":558},{},{"type":502,"children":559},[560],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":561,"children":562},{},[563],{"type":509,"value":564},"Treats and gourmet food, if you know about allergies",{"data":566,"body":567},{},{"type":502,"children":568},[569],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":570,"children":571},{},[572],{"type":509,"value":573},"Gift cards, if your group agrees they're allowed",{"data":575,"body":576},{},{"type":502,"children":577},[578],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":579,"children":580},{},[581],{"type":509,"value":582},"Anything offensive, political or too personal",{"data":584,"body":585},{},{"type":502,"children":586},[587],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":588,"children":589},{},[590],{"type":509,"value":591},"Alcohol, unless you know the recipient drinks and your group is fine with it",{"data":593,"body":594},{},{"type":502,"children":595},[596],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":597,"children":598},{},[599],{"type":509,"value":600},"Clothing in a specific size, unless you're sure",{"data":602,"body":603},{},{"type":502,"children":604},[605],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":606,"children":607},{},[608],{"type":509,"value":609},"Regifted items that look regifted",{"data":611,"body":612},{},{"type":502,"children":613},[614],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":615,"children":616},{},[617],{"type":509,"value":618},"Cash, which removes the thought from the gift",{"data":620,"body":621},{},{"type":502,"children":622},[623],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":624,"children":625},{},[626],{"type":509,"value":627},"Everyone brings their wrapped gift: Label it with the recipient's name only.",{"data":629,"body":630},{},{"type":502,"children":631},[632],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":633,"children":634},{},[635],{"type":509,"value":636},"Open gifts one at a time: This way everyone sees each gift and the reactions.",{"data":638,"body":639},{},{"type":502,"children":640},[641],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":642,"children":643},{},[644],{"type":509,"value":645},"Play the guessing game: Before revealing, recipients guess who their Santa was.",{"data":647,"body":648},{},{"type":502,"children":649},[650],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":651,"children":652},{},[653],{"type":509,"value":654},"Decide on the reveal: Givers can reveal themselves, or stay anonymous forever if your group prefers.",{"data":656,"body":657},{},{"type":502,"children":658},[659],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":660,"children":661},{},[662],{"type":509,"value":663},"Have a plan for absentees: Gifts from people who can't come should be dropped off early or shipped directly.",{"data":665,"body":666},{},{"type":502,"children":667},[668],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":669,"children":670},{},[671],{"type":509,"value":672},"Make participation voluntary, with no pressure to join",{"data":674,"body":675},{},{"type":502,"children":676},[677],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":678,"children":679},{},[680],{"type":509,"value":681},"Keep the budget low, so junior staff can join comfortably",{"data":683,"body":684},{},{"type":502,"children":685},[686],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":687,"children":688},{},[689],{"type":509,"value":690},"Ban gifts that could be seen as offensive or too personal",{"data":692,"body":693},{},{"type":502,"children":694},[695],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":696,"children":697},{},[698],{"type":509,"value":699},"Schedule the exchange during work hours, so everyone can attend",{"data":701,"body":702},{},{"type":502,"children":703},[704],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":705,"children":706},{},[707],{"type":509,"value":708},"Use a draw where the organizer can't see the pairs, to keep it fair",{"data":710,"body":711},{},{"type":502,"children":712},[713],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":714,"children":715},{},[716],{"type":509,"value":717},"A theme: Everyone buys a gift that fits a theme, like cozy, handmade or a favorite color.",{"data":719,"body":720},{},{"type":502,"children":721},[722],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":723,"children":724},{},[725],{"type":509,"value":726},"A wishlist: Each person shares three ideas in their chat, and the Santa picks one or surprises them.",{"data":728,"body":729},{},{"type":502,"children":730},[731],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":732,"children":733},{},[734],{"type":509,"value":735},"Handmade only: Gifts must be made by the giver, which works well for creative groups.",{"data":737,"body":738},{},{"type":502,"children":739},[740],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":741,"children":742},{},[743],{"type":509,"value":744},"Letter rule: The gift must start with the first letter of the recipient's name.",{"data":746,"body":747},{},{"type":502,"children":748},[749],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":750,"children":751},{},[752],{"type":509,"value":753},"Poem tag: Each gift comes with a short rhyme that hints at the giver.",{"data":755,"body":756},{},{"type":502,"children":757},[758],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":759,"children":760},{},[761],{"type":509,"value":762},"Swap round: After opening, people can trade gifts, borrowing a twist from White Elephant.",{"data":764,"body":765},{},{"type":502,"children":766},[767],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":768,"children":769},{},[770],{"type":509,"value":771},"Everyone draws exactly one name: Each participant gives one gift and receives one gift. Nobody is left out and nobody gets two.",{"data":773,"body":774},{},{"type":502,"children":775},[776],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":777,"children":778},{},[779],{"type":509,"value":780},"Nobody draws themselves: If someone draws their own name, the draw is redone. Online tools handle this automatically.",{"data":782,"body":783},{},{"type":502,"children":784},[785],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":786,"children":787},{},[788],{"type":509,"value":789},"Keep your match secret: Don't tell anyone who you drew, not even the organizer. The mystery is the whole point.",{"data":791,"body":792},{},{"type":502,"children":793},[794],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":795,"children":796},{},[797],{"type":509,"value":798},"Respect the budget: Spend close to the agreed amount, and never much more. The budget keeps every gift equal.",{"data":800,"body":801},{},{"type":502,"children":802},[803],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":804,"children":805},{},[806],{"type":509,"value":807},"Buy for your recipient, not for yourself: Think about what they like, not what you would want to receive.",{"data":809,"body":810},{},{"type":502,"children":811},[812],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":813,"children":814},{},[815],{"type":509,"value":816},"Wrap your gift and label it: Write the recipient's name on the tag, but not your own.",{"data":818,"body":819},{},{"type":502,"children":820},[821],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":822,"children":823},{},[824],{"type":509,"value":825},"Bring your gift on the exchange day: If you can't attend, arrange for your gift to arrive anyway.",{"data":827,"body":828},{},{"type":502,"children":829},[830],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":831,"children":832},{},[833],{"type":509,"value":834},"Be a good sport: Thank your Santa, even if the gift isn't exactly your style.",{"data":836,"body":837},{},{"type":502,"children":838},[839],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":840,"children":841},{},[842],{"type":509,"value":843},"Close the guest list before drawing: Adding someone after the draw means redoing it for everyone.",{"data":845,"body":846},{},{"type":502,"children":847},[848],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":849,"children":850},{},[851],{"type":509,"value":852},"Draw names early: Two to four weeks before the exchange gives everyone time to shop without stress.",{"data":854,"body":855},{},{"type":502,"children":856},[857],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":858,"children":859},{},[860],{"type":509,"value":861},"Don't redraw because you dislike your match: A redraw is only for real problems, like drawing yourself or an excluded person.",{"data":863,"body":864},{},{"type":502,"children":865},[866],{"type":505,"tag":13,"props":867,"children":868},{},[869],{"type":509,"value":870},"Let the organizer play too: With an online draw, the organizer doesn't know the pairs, so they can join like everyone else.",1791553856102]