Secret Santa generator

Type everyone's names, add any pairs who shouldn't draw each other, and press Draw. Everyone gets someone else and nobody gets themselves. It all happens in your browser: no sign-up, no emails, and the names are never sent or saved anywhere.

Names (one per line, 3 to 50)

Pairs who can't draw each other (optional, one pair per line, e.g. Alex - Ben) Group name

Spending limit (£)

Swap date

How the draw works

The generator shuffles the names at random (using your browser's secure random numbers) until every person has someone else, and nobody has a person from their "can't draw" pairs. Each name is given to exactly one person, so nobody is left out and nobody gets two gifts. If the pairs make a fair draw impossible (for example 3 people where everyone is paired), it tells you.

Keeping it secret

Organiser joining in too? Leave the results hidden. Use Copy message next to each name and paste it into a private message to that person, without looking.
Doing it in person? Use Print slips, then cut, fold and hand them out.
Nothing is stored. If you close or refresh the page, the draw is gone, so send the messages first.

Secret Santa tips for 2026

Agree the spending limit up front. Many UK offices pick something like £5 to £10, and families often go higher. The main thing is that everyone agrees.
Set the swap date before the last posting dates if anyone is posting gifts. Check Royal Mail nearer the time.
Ask everyone to add a short wishlist or a "no thanks" list (no chocolate, no candles) to the group chat.
Stuck for ideas? See Secret Santa gift ideas under £5, £10 and £20 and Christmas gifts under £10, and plan the rest of your gifts with the gift budget per person calculator.

Examples: setting up your draw

Office of 12, £10 limit: paste in all 12 names and leave the pairs box empty, unless two people share a desk and already know each other's tastes too well. With a swap date of Friday 18 December 2026, everyone has the final full working week to shop.
Family of 8 with 3 couples: add each couple as a pair (for example "Sam - Jo") so partners don't draw each other, because they're buying for each other anyway. With 8 people and 3 pairs there are still plenty of fair draws.
Friends of 5 who've done it before: add last year's giver and receiver as pairs, so nobody buys for the same person two years running.
Only 3 people: it works, but each person can only draw one of 2 others. If any pairs are added, a fair draw may be impossible, and the generator will tell you.

Fair rules that keep the cost down

One limit for everyone: say whether it includes wrapping and postage. A £10 limit is about the gift.
Swap Secret Santa for separate gifts: in a group of 8, one £15 gift each costs everyone £15. Separate £10 gifts for 7 people would cost each person £70.
Write down the swap date: if anyone is posting a gift, set the date before the last Royal Mail posting days and check those nearer the time.
"No thanks" lists: ask for 2 or 3 things people don't want (candles, chocolate, novelty socks). It cuts the waste more than a wishlist does.

Need ideas? See Secret Santa gift ideas under £5, £10 and £20. Then add the rest of Christmas with the gift budget per person and the Christmas budget calculator.

FAQs

Is this Secret Santa generator really free?

Yes. There's no sign-up and no email, and the names never leave your device. The page does everything in your browser.

Can I stop couples drawing each other?

Yes. Add each pair on its own line in the 'can't draw' box, for example 'Alex - Ben'. The draw then never gives Alex to Ben or Ben to Alex.

Can someone draw themselves?

No. Every person always gets someone else, and every name is given out exactly once.

How do I send everyone their name?

Press 'Copy message' next to each name and paste it into a private message, or print the slips and hand them out.

Run a website or blog? Embed this calculator for free.

Related calculators & guides

Secret Santa gift ideas · Christmas gifts under £10 · Gift budget per person · Christmas money hub 2026