Secret Santa questionnaire: questions to ask your group

The 10-question starter

Copy these into a form or a message. They cover most of what a Santa needs.

1. What are your favourite snacks, sweets or drinks?
2. Do you have any allergies or foods you avoid?
3. What are your hobbies or things you do in your spare time?
4. What's your favourite shop, café or brand?
5. What's something you've wanted but haven't bought yet?
6. What colours or styles do you like?
7. Is there anything you'd really rather not receive?
8. Do you prefer practical gifts, fun gifts or treats?
9. What's a small thing that always makes your day better?
10. Please share up to three gift ideas, or a link to a wishlist.

More questions by topic

Food and drink

• Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or something else?
• Sweet or savoury?
• What's your go-to takeaway?
• Do you enjoy cooking or baking?

Home and desk

• What would make your desk or workspace nicer?
• Do you like candles, plants or cosy things for the home?
• Is there something you'd use every day if you had it?

Fun and free time

• What was the last book, show or game you really enjoyed?
• Do you like puzzles, board games or card games?
• Are you into sport, crafts, music or the outdoors?

Style

• Do you collect anything?
• Do you prefer bold gifts or understated ones?
• Is there a theme you love, such as animals, space or travel?

A work-safe version

With colleagues, keep questions light and don't ask for anything personal. These five are enough:

• What's your favourite snack or drink at work?
• Any allergies or dietary needs?
• What would make your desk better?
• What's a hobby you enjoy outside work?
• Anything you'd rather not receive?

For family and children

For younger players, a grown-up can answer for them. Ask about favourite characters, colours, hobbies and what they're into right now. Check age suitability and sizes, and keep the budget the same for everyone.

What not to ask

• Clothing sizes, unless the budget and the relationship make it sensible.
• Anything about money, health or relationships.
• Questions that force a single answer. Three ideas give a Santa more to work with.
• Long forms. More than ten questions and people stop answering.

How to collect the answers

1. Decide who sees what. Each answer should go only to the person who drew that participant.
2. Avoid a shared document. It shows everyone everything and gives away the surprise.
3. Use a wishlist instead of a form. With the SwapWith Secret Santa generator, each person adds a wishlist with items, notes and links. Only the person who drew them can see it, after they open their match.
4. Send one reminder a few days before the draw, with a clear deadline.

What to do with the answers

Pick something that matches two answers, not one: a favourite snack plus a hobby, for example. Stay inside the budget, and check the allergies before you buy food. If you need ideas, browse gift ideas by budget, and add a short note from our Secret Santa messages to finish it off. For the basics, read the Secret Santa rules.