How to Be a Secret Santa

The Secret Santa game is a popular Christmas festivity in which a group of people put their names into a hat and then secretly choose one person to shower with small gifts in the days (or weeks) preceding Christmas. Learn how you can become a sneaky and creative gift-giver in a few easy steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Study your target. Do they have a favorite candy? Do they have a collection? Start your Secret Santa mission by interviewing fellow co-workers or family members to find fun and appropriate gifts for the person that you have selected in the drawing.

2. Personalize your gifts. Once you've found out a little more about your target, look for creative, personal and inexpensive gifts. If they are a movie lover, sneak some popcorn and a movie ticket onto their desk. If they enjoy coffee, hide a latte certificate and chocolate spoon in their mailbox.

3. Get creative. The Secret Santa tradition is most fun when the gifts are unique and mysterious. Consider sending clues along with each gift or create a treasure map with the location of the next gift.

4. Keep it a secret. Don't tell your target that you are the gift giver. You may want to enlist the help of other people to deliver your gifts for you. At the end of the game you will be able to share your secret. Guessing is part of the fun.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't limit yourself to traditional gifts in a Secret Santa exchange. Send a greeting card, a poem, or email a funny video to your target. You can also purchase small gift cards, or create your own gift certificates like "good for one free coffee run".
• If you anticipate participating in an annual Secret Santa exchange keep an eye out for small gifts throughout the year. It is also fun to stock up on ornaments and other Christmas treasures at after-holiday sales for next year's Secret Santa exchange.

Resources

• Find more Christmas traditions at Santas.net.
• Send Christmas cards at Northpole.com.