Secret Santa is a Christmas tradition where participants anonymously exchange gifts, with variations like White Elephant and Yankee Swap. To play, names are drawn and a price limit is set. Inappropriate gifts should be avoided, and gift cards or safe options are recommended. Remote Secret Santa options exist for those who cannot meet in person.
Secret Santa, also known as Kris Kringle in England, is a Christmas tradition that involves the anonymous exchange of gifts. White Elephant and Yankee Swap are variations of this game. It is common in the workplace and among extended family members as a way to limit giving and save money.
To play Secret Santa, all participants write their names on small pieces of paper and place them in an envelope. Each person then draws a name. The name drawn is the recipient of the gift. When playing this game, participants must agree on a price limit in advance. This avoids unpleasant surprises and ensures that everyone will get something of comparable value.
All presents, with name tags on them, are placed under the tree or in a designated area and opened as a group. Part of the fun is guessing who is Secret Santa. If the recipient can’t guess after a few tries, confessing is fine.
There are a few do’s and don’ts when playing Secret Santa. For starters, there are a few unspoken rules about inappropriate gifts. If someone is playing with his family, the choice of gifts is almost unlimited. If, however, he is enticed to participate in a more “official” Secret Santa, there are some gifts that are far too personal to hand out in office and other work settings. This includes flowers, clothes and accessories, and anything that can be construed as too intimate.
To be safe, players may want to stick to gift cards, a gift basket, or something like a CD or movie. However, players should remember to keep the catcher’s taste in mind. If he doesn’t know what he likes, it’s better to play it safe than to give something he might not like.
In recent years, a few websites have been created for people who want to play Secret Santa remotely. Participants from the same family or group of friends register online and then “draw” the name of the person to whom they have to send the gift. This is an excellent solution for large families who are scattered throughout the country and do not meet during the holidays.
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