Remote Secret Santa: how to run one online
Secret Santa works well over distance, as long as you handle three things up front: the draw, the addresses and the deadline. Here is a simple plan.
Last updated November 2026
A simple plan
- Agree the basics. Set the budget, the sign-up date and the reveal date. Say whether the budget includes postage.
- Draw the names online. Use the SwapWith Secret Santa generator: add everyone, draw once, and send a single link. Each person opens it and sees only their own match.
- Get wishlists. Wishlists remove the guessing. Each person adds ideas and links, and only their Santa sees them.
- Handle addresses privately. Don't paste them into a group chat. Ask each person to share theirs only with the organiser or their Santa.
- Set a posting deadline at least a week before the reveal, longer for international parcels.
- Reveal together on a call or in a chat.
Budget and postage
Postage can eat a small budget. Either say the limit includes delivery, or ask people to choose gifts that ship free. Keep the total fair across everyone, including people in other countries.
Digital gifts that skip the post
- An e-book or audiobook credit.
- A streaming, music or game gift card.
- An e-voucher for a coffee, takeaway or shop.
- A small online class or subscription, if the group is happy with that.
If you want ideas, see our gift ideas, which include a "Can't decide?" section of gift cards.
Ideas for an online reveal
- Open together. Everyone opens their gift on camera at the same time.
- Guess your Santa. Each person guesses before the reveal, and the closest wins a small prize.
- Clue round. Santas send a hint beforehand, using lines from our Secret Santa messages.
- Photo thread. If you can't meet, share photos of the gifts in a group chat.
Common problems
- Late parcels. Set a clear deadline, and have a backup plan such as an e-gift card.
- Someone drops out. The organiser can remove them in SwapWith without redoing the draw. Only one other person's match changes.
- Time zones. Pick a reveal time that works for the most people, or let people open gifts in their own time and post a photo.
Related guides
For the basics, read the Secret Santa rules and the office Secret Santa guide. Not sure what to ask your group? Use our questionnaire.
Frequently asked questions
How do you do Secret Santa remotely?
Draw names online, share one link, set a budget and a delivery deadline, and let each person get the address of their match through the organiser. Reveal gifts on a video call or in a chat.
How do you share addresses without everyone seeing them?
Collect addresses privately, either by asking the organiser or through each person's Santa directly. Don't put them in a group chat or shared document.
What if people are in different countries?
Allow extra time and agree a budget that includes postage. Or choose digital gifts such as an e-book, an audiobook credit or an e-voucher.
When should remote gifts be sent?
Set a posting deadline at least a week before the reveal. Ask for tracking if a gift is valuable.
How do you do the reveal online?
Open gifts together on a video call and let people guess their Santa before revealing, or share a message in a group chat on the day.
Ready to draw names?
Create a board in under a minute. Players don't need an account.
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