How to Run a Secret Santa at Work or at Home
by I have been in charge of the Secret Santa campaign (for lack of a better word) at my work for about 4 years now. I have been participating in a Secret Santa for about 9 years now. And now, all of that (useless) knowledge shall be entrusted with you. You’re welcome.
How to play
A date must first be chosen as to when the Secret Santa will be revealed then everyone must pick a person. We use the age old method of putting names on a slip of paper, folding the paper, then placing the papers in a container. You can choose whatever method you want to make it anonymous. Once all the names are in people can then begin picking one piece of paper and very discreetly looking at the name they have chosen. There are no putbacks. The name you get is the name you will have.
Then every person must fill out a Secret Santa Questionaire. That way even if you don’t know your person that well you will have something to reference so your not lost in the dark. Here is a sample one that I use at my work. You can add anything else you can think of. Or tailor it to where you work:
Getting to Know You
1. Name:
2. Favorite types of food:
3. Favorite 3 types of Candy:
4. Chocolate Yes/No:
5. Favorite Scent:
6. Do you have any Hobbies?
7. Favorite Author/Genre of Book:
8. Favorite type of animal:
9. Movie you would like to own:
10. Favorite Color:
11. What person (dead/alive) you would like to meet?
12. Favorite Music Artist/Type:
13. Do you Collect Anything?
14. Favorite Stores to shop at?
15. Favorite Drink:
16. Favorite Sports Team/Athlete:
17. Favorite Time of the Year:
18. One place you would like to visit:
19. Favorite Magazines:
20. Favorite restaurants to eat at:
21. Anything else your SS should know:
What we have done here is that the days/weeks leading up to the reveal day (or party) Secret Santas will leave small presents for the person they have picked. Generally the gift will be under $5. Use your imagination and keep them guessing as to who thier Secret Santa is.
Finally comes the reveal. This present is generally around $20. Each person will reveal themselves to their Secret Santa and present them with a gift. Again use your imagination. I have found that a gift that is personal is way more valuable then $20.
That’s it. Your done. But you should also know that there is one rule to follow that cannot be broken.
The rule
No one, under any circumstances, may say who they have. Hence the word ‘Secret’ in Secret Santa. Nor may anyone force, trick, or snoop around to find out who has who. This is punishable by recieving coal in one’s stocking. And quite possibly being shunned by others at your work. The choice is yours.
Merry Christmas!
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