Common house rules: a gift can be stolen at most three times, then it is frozen; you cannot steal back immediately; and the first player gets a final swap at the end. Use SecretSantaKit for a classic Secret Santa draw.
How the draw works
SecretSantaKit shuffles the list of names with your browser’s cryptographically secure random generator, then assigns each giver a recipient one at a time, skipping anyone who would break a rule: nobody can draw themselves, excluded pairs are blocked in both directions, and with the no-pairs option two people cannot draw each other. If a choice leads to a dead end, the draw steps back and tries another, so it always finds a valid result when one exists and tells you plainly when the rules make one impossible. Every valid arrangement has a fair chance of being picked.
Because the draw happens on your device, there is no account, no email list and no server holding everyone’s names. Your participants, settings and the latest draw are saved in this browser so you can come back and resend a link.
Private reveal links
Each link carries one person’s card inside the part of the address after the # sign, which browsers do not send to the website. The details are scrambled so the recipient’s name is not visible if someone glances at the link, though this is a privacy courtesy rather than strong encryption. Opening a link shows a greeting with the event, a tap-to-reveal button, the budget, the exchange date and any note you added. The organiser never needs to look; keep “Show matches” unticked and send yourself your own link too.
Tips for a smooth exchange
Agree on a budget and date before you draw, and add them so they appear on every card. Use exclusions for couples, housemates and parents with young children, and to stop last year’s pairs repeating. For remote groups, ask everyone to share a wish list or a delivery address privately with their Secret Santa. If someone drops out, redraw and send new links to everyone, since changing one match can affect the whole chain. Prefer something physical? Print the fold-over slips and hand them out at dinner.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference from Secret Santa?
Secret Santa assigns each person someone to buy for. In white elephant, gifts are anonymous and swapped during a game.
How many steals are allowed?
Three per gift is the most common rule.
What budget suits white elephant?
$20–$25, with gag gifts welcome if the group likes them.
Is SecretSantaKit free?
Yes. No sign-up, no emails and no limits.
Are names sent anywhere?
No. The draw runs in your browser. Names travel only inside the links you choose to send.