Secret Santa, or "Secret Santa", aims to make Christmas shopping easier and spread the spirit of giving to people who may not be on your Christmas list. In “Secret Saint”, several people in a certain group exchange names to exchange gifts in secret. You can play “secret santa” at a get-together over the next vacation, or study the instructions of the game if you've been invited to participate.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Playing Secret Santa Games
Step 1. Write the names of everyone participating on a piece of paper
If your group has a lot of members and they don't know each other very well, ask each member to write their name along with their special traits or interests, such as “astronomy guy, 65” or “woman who likes triathlons, 34”. In a closer group environment, only the member's name is required.
Step 2. Cut out and put each name that has been written into a hat
The next step is to prepare a name to be picked at random. Cut out each name, folding it once or twice to prevent others from reading it without unfolding it. Then, place all the folded name papers into a bowl or hat and mix them together to get a random mix.
Step 3. Set a price limit
This can be discussed with all members of the group or with the people who are organizing the event. Price caps are set so that everyone doesn't try to buy things that are too cheap, while everyone else tries to buy overly expensive gifts. Choose a price cap that is within the medium range that is acceptable to everyone in the group. Better to be safe than sorry later, better to choose a low price range than to go too high and cause some people to not be able to afford it.
Step 4. Take a name
Approach the group members and give them a chance to pick a name at random from the hat. Keep the name folded and hidden until everyone has taken a name. At this stage, everyone can see the name they took, as long as they are careful not to say who the name was taken, or show other people their paper. If someone takes their own name, repeat name taking.
Step 5. Determine the date of giving the gift
The next step is for everyone to go buy gifts (with prices that fall within a predetermined range) for the person whose name they took from the hat. Usually, there will be a second meeting to gather all the secret saints. The secret Santa will exchange their gifts and reveal the names they have picked up and had so far. Check with group members and choose a time and date a few days in advance, when everyone can meet to exchange gifts.
Step 6. Buy the gift
With the person in mind who will receive your gift, go for a suitable gift. Try to make it look personal, and avoid choosing overly generic gifts like a cup of coffee or a bag of candy. Do not forget to adjust the price limit that has been determined, or you will make the gift recipient and other members feel uncomfortable with your gift which may be too cheap or even too expensive.
Step 7. Redeem gifts
Once everyone in the group has purchased a gift and is reunited, you can begin the process of exchanging gifts. Wait until everyone is present and keep the recipient's name a secret until everyone is signaled to start exchanging gifts. At this stage, find the person whose name is the same as the name you picked up earlier, and present your prize! Don't forget that you will receive a gift as well, so be friendly and polite when you receive a gift (even if you don't really like the gift you get).
Part 2 of 2: Choosing the Right Gift
Step 1. Give an appropriate and polite gift
Playful gifts can be fun sometimes, but in general you should choose a gift that your group will not consider inappropriate.
Step 2. Avoid alcohol
Unless your secret santa game takes place at a wine or wine party, don't assume that the recipient of the gift will like a bottle of liquor as much as you or someone else might. Especially if you're at an office party, giving away alcoholic beverages can create an awkward atmosphere if the person receiving your gift doesn't like to drink or isn't drunk. If the recipient of the gift is a person who likes alcoholic beverages, try to choose another gift that relates to his or her preferences instead of giving a bottle of alcohol right away (such as a wine-themed keychain or a beer bottle case).
Step 3. Buy something practical
If you're not sure what gift to buy, go the safe way by choosing something practical and useful. That way, if the item purchased is not something the recipient wants, he or she can still use it. You might consider buying Christmas ornaments, kitchen utensils or utensils, or a good book in a genre that the person likes.
Step 4. Buy something specific
If you can, do a little research on your gift recipient to choose a gift that really suits them. Ask other people closest to you, see their work or profiles on their social media accounts, or you can also ask them indirectly. The person who will receive your gift will appreciate the time and effort you put into choosing a gift that is special and suitable for him or her.
Step 5. Consider making your own gift
If you are a creative person, a homemade gift made with good taste will make the gift seem personal and meaningful. Think about the interest of the person who will receive your gift when you make a gift for him or her, rather than just making something random that will look cheap later. There's a big difference between making something creative and valuable and making something cheap and lazing around because you forgot or didn't buy anything.
Tips
Try to secretly get information from them
Here's an example conversation you can try. Them: I just watched this movie. This movie is very good. You: Really? What's your favorite movie? My favorite movie is _.
- If you're not that close to the person you're going to buy a gift for, give them something useful. You can never go wrong with a useful gift!
- Make sure you only take one name.
- If you take your own name, put your name back and take another one.
- Make sure everyone participating in the prize redemption event (i.e., who should attend) has their name in the name-taking container.
- Don't buy them anything personal like perfume, make-up or makeup, deodorant, or food. Everyone has a different opinion.
- Secret Santa is also known as Kris Kringle in some places.
Warning
- The person you are buying the gift to may not know who took his or her name until the last gift redemption event.
- Do not say who you will give gifts to others, or the essence of the game will be spoiled.
