How It Works

The tool is designed around two roles: the organizer (who creates the draw) and the participant (who reveals a single assignment). The organizer enters the participant list, adds any “don’t match” rules, and generates a valid draw. The tool checks common constraints like “no self assignment” and “one recipient per giver” automatically. If you enable additional options such as avoiding reciprocal swaps, those are applied too.

Once the draw is created, the output can be displayed in an organizer-friendly view (a full mapping table) or as privacy-focused reveal tokens. Tokens are meant to be shared privately—one token per participant. Each participant visits the tool, switches to Reveal mode, pastes their token, and sees their recipient. The participant does not see the full list, which helps keep the exchange anonymous.

For stronger privacy, you can add a passphrase. When a passphrase is set, tokens are encrypted and include integrity checks. That means the recipient stays hidden even if someone forwards a token. The organizer can distribute the passphrase separately (for example, tell participants in person, or share it in a different message).

Step-by-step workflow

• 1) Prepare the list: Enter one name per line. Use the same spelling you will share with participants.
• 2) Add exclusions: If you have couples or “no-go” pairings, add them as simple rules (examples below).
• 3) Choose privacy settings: Optional passphrase for encrypted tokens, optional “avoid reciprocal swaps”.
• 4) Generate the draw: The tool builds a valid assignment and formats the output as shareable tokens.
• 5) Distribute tokens: Send each participant their own token privately (DM, email, printed note).
• 6) Participant reveal: Each person enters their name + token (and passphrase if used) to reveal their recipient.

Exclusion syntax examples

• Block one direction: Alice > Bob means Alice cannot be assigned Bob.
• Block both directions: Alice, Bob means Alice cannot be assigned Bob and Bob cannot be assigned Alice.
• Multiple rules: Put one rule per line; the tool combines them.

Key Features

Anonymous reveal tokens (per participant)

Instead of exposing the entire giver→receiver mapping, the generator can output a token for each participant. A token is a compact string that carries just enough information to reveal a single match. When a participant uses a token, they see only one result: who they should buy for. This approach keeps the exchange fun and prevents accidental spoilers.

Tokens also make distribution flexible. You can paste them into private messages, include them in an email, or print them on slips of paper. The tool’s output is deliberately plain text so it works with any channel your group already uses.

Optional passphrase encryption for stronger privacy

When you set a passphrase, tokens are encrypted using a modern symmetric cipher and include an integrity check. That provides two benefits: the recipient name is not readable without the passphrase, and the token can’t be silently modified to change the outcome. In practice, this makes it much harder for someone to guess or tamper with a match.

Use this feature if you’re coordinating a large office exchange, if you want to minimize gossip, or if you’re sharing tokens in environments where messages are easily forwarded. For small family groups, you can leave it blank for a simpler “copy and paste” flow.

Exclusion rules for couples, teams, and constraints

Real Secret Santa groups often have constraints. Partners may prefer not to gift each other, managers may want to avoid direct reports, or roommates may want variety. With the exclusions textarea, you can express these constraints using short rules that are easy to type and easy to audit.

The matching engine searches for a valid assignment that honors your rules. If it can’t find one (for example, too many restrictions in a small group), it returns a clear message so you can adjust the inputs.

Avoid reciprocal swaps when possible

A reciprocal swap is when two people are assigned to each other. Some groups don’t mind, but others find it less exciting because it feels like a direct exchange. The “avoid reciprocal swaps” option tells the generator to prefer solutions without 2-person loops. In many groups this is easy to satisfy; in very small groups it may be impossible, so the tool will explain that you may need to disable the option.

Organizer view for verification (optional)

If you want to double-check everything before you distribute tokens, enable the organizer view. You’ll see a complete table of assignments, which is helpful for verifying exclusions and confirming that the group size and constraints look right. If you need strict anonymity, keep organizer view off and distribute tokens without posting the full list.

Copy, download, and share-ready formatting

The results panel includes convenient actions to copy the token list to your clipboard or download it as a plain-text file. This is useful if you want to keep a private backup or share via a different device. If you include “message format” output, the tool produces lines you can paste directly into an email or chat with minimal editing.

Use Cases

• Family Secret Santa: Avoid spouse-to-spouse or parent-to-child assignments, keep results private, and share tokens by text message.
• Office Secret Santa (in-person or remote): Generate matches quickly, use passphrase encryption, and distribute tokens via direct messages.
• Classroom gift exchange: Print each participant’s token and hand them out without revealing the list to the class.
• Friend groups with couples: Use “block both directions” to avoid partner pairings while still keeping the draw random.
• Volunteer communities and clubs: Ensure a fair one-to-one draw across a larger roster and keep the surprise for the final reveal.
• Household-based constraints: Add “do-not-match” rules so people don’t gift within the same household.

Because the tool is browser-based and the output is plain text, it fits into almost any workflow. You can generate the draw on a laptop and then distribute tokens on your phone. You can also regenerate quickly if someone drops out or joins at the last minute, then share updated tokens. For groups that repeat Secret Santa every year, you can keep a template list and adjust it as needed.

If you’re trying to avoid repeats from last year, you can add exclusions like “Alice > Bob” and “Bob > Alice” for the prior-year pairings, or build a small set of rules to encourage variety. The more exclusions you add, the tighter the puzzle becomes, so the tips section below will help you keep it feasible.

Optimization Tips

Keep names consistent and clean

Tokens are tied to names. That means “Alex” and “Alex P.” are different entries, and “Marta” with a trailing space can cause a mismatch when revealing. Use simple names with consistent spelling. If you need internal notes (like “Alex – Marketing”), keep them in your own organizer document, not in the participant list.

Choose a passphrase strategy that matches your group

If you use a passphrase, decide how participants will receive it. In a family setting you might say it aloud at dinner. In a remote team you might share it in a separate channel (for example, token via DM and passphrase via a group announcement). Avoid sending the passphrase in the same message as the token if you want the strongest privacy.

Start with essential exclusions only

The biggest cause of “no valid draw found” is too many constraints, especially in small groups. Begin with couple or household exclusions first. Then add other restrictions only if they are truly necessary. If you’re trying to avoid repeats from last year, consider excluding only the most recent pairings rather than multiple years of history.

Understand small-group limitations

With two participants, the only possible valid assignment is a reciprocal swap. If you enable “avoid reciprocal swaps” in a two-person group, the draw will be impossible. With three participants, most constraints are solvable, but couple-style exclusions can still block every option. When in doubt, simplify the rules or add more participants.

Test once before you distribute

After generating tokens, try the Reveal mode yourself with one token to ensure everything is working and the passphrase (if used) is correct. Then distribute tokens individually. Keeping a downloaded backup (stored privately) can help if someone deletes their token and needs it re-sent.

FAQ