Why Secret Santa is the Ultimate Office Tradition (and How to Make It Even Better)

We can all feel it: the end-of-year holiday spirit brings with it a sense of joy and connection. Not only are there more opportunities to establish stronger relationships amongst colleagues, but there is an underlying mood of excitement and celebration in the workplace. It may even be an extra long chat about shopping lists and Christmas tree decorations! Whether you’re part of an in-person team, or a fully remote workforce, engaging in simple holiday traditions can boost morale and foster a sense of community. That’s why Office Secret Santa stands out as a timeless way to liven up a Christmas work party or year-end celebration. Have you ever wondered how to do it? Here’s how to ensure it’s a hit in your office!

Typical Rules of Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a Christmas tradition in which a group of people take part in a gift exchange game. Just in case you never participated in the game such as this one before, here’s a quick rundown of the traditional rules:

1. 1. Each participant draws a name (or is assigned one via an online tool) in order to become someone’s secret Santa.
2. 2. Gifts are anonymous until revealed during the exchange, or when the receiver has to guess who their secret Santa was.
3. 3. Adhere to the agreed-upon budget.
4. 4. Optional: Include a hint or playful message to add to the excitement.

How to Organize Secret Santa in the Office

While Secret Santa is great for family and friend gift exchanges but when it comes to colleagues, things can get a bit tricky. It changes the approach a little bit, and options may be more narrow than in selecting gifts for friends. But still, no matter if you are in-person or a fully remote team, organizing a Secret Santa in the office doesn’t have to be a frustrating task. With some proper planning and positive attitude, it can be seamless and enjoyable for everyone.

1. 1. Set a Budget: Establish a reasonable price range to ensure all participants feel comfortable.
2. 2. Use a Drawing System: Online platforms like Elfster or SneakySanta make assigning participants easy and confidential, especially for remote teams.
3. 3. Communicate Clearly: Send out a message explaining the rules, deadlines, and gift exchange date.
4. 4. Encourage Wishlist Sharing: Have participants provide a few gift ideas or preferences to make the selection process easier for their Secret Santa.
5. 5. Ensure Cultural Sensitivity: Remind participants to select gifts that are appropriate and culturally inclusive.

Do’s and Don’ts of Secret Santa at the Office

If you’re part of an office secret Santa this year and wondering how to go about things in the right way, read our list of Do’s and Don’ts below:

Do:

• – Keep It Professional: Choose gifts that are appropriate for a workplace setting.
• – Stick to the Budget: This is done so no one feels pressured to purchase expensive items.
• – Be Inclusive: Select neutral or universally appealing gifts such as picture frames, chocolates, mugs, etc.

Don’t:

• – Get Too Personal: Avoid overly personal or intimate gifts. Gifting etiquette suggests to avoid items you would give a partner, such as perfume. Along with religious items or prank gifts.
• – Miss Deadlines: Ensure your gift arrives on time, especially for remote teams.
• – Reveal Your Identity Prematurely: One of the best parts of secret Santa is the mystery and suspense, it’s part of the fun!

A Politically Correct Way to Say Secret Santa

While Secret Santa is a traditional name for this game, for international multi-cultural teams the name may be too closely associated with religion. Secret Santa is often called Kris Kringle or White Elephant in some places. Ask around to consider what terminology most people are familiar with. To make the tradition more inclusive, consider renaming it to something like:

• – Holiday Gift Exchange
• – Winter Wishes Gift Swap
• – Seasonal Surprise Exchange

This approach opens the game to people of all faiths, ensuring everyone feels welcome to participate.

Secret Santa for Remote Teams: A Personal Example

At Gift Baskets Overseas, we are a fully remote team spread across the globe. Despite the distance, we’ve kept the Secret Santa office game alive by using online platforms that assign senders and recipients. Participants can share preferences and shipping addresses securely, ensuring the process is smooth. Exchanging gifts and reading each other’s reactions online has become a highlight of our holiday season, bringing us closer despite the miles.

Announcing Secret Santa in the Office

For in-person teams, a casual announcement during a team meeting or a fun flyer in the office works well. For remote teams, send out an email or message via team communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. Remember to include all the essential details: budget, deadlines, and a link to the gift assignment platform.

Adding a Fun Twist to Secret Santa

Secret Santa is meant to bring people closer together and build camaraderie in the office. It’s a fun and exciting way to celebrate the festive season in the office, so don’t hesitate to add an extra layer of quirkiness! Here are some ways to make the game more exciting:

1. 1. Themed Gifts: Choose a theme, like “eco-friendly,” “handmade,” or “nostalgia.”
2. 2. Guess the Giver: Attach a clue to each gift, and have recipients guess their Secret Santa.
3. 3. Gift-Opening Party: Host an in-person or virtual gift-opening session with festive games or music.

Good Secret Santa Questions for an Office

Try and get to know your recipient by putting in some effort to get to know them. You can start conversations about previous Christmases or shopping sprees. Remember to be subtle or you’ll give the game away! Here are some questions that will help you learn more about your recipient:

• – What is a snack or drink that you love?
• – Do you prefer practical or fun gifts?
• – When choosing holiday traditions, what is your favorite?

Crafting the Perfect Secret Santa Message

Thoughtfulness is what truly makes a gift special. So pair your gift with a note that will make your recipient feel the festive spirit. Here’s an example:

“Dear [Recipient],
I hope this gift brings a little extra joy to your holiday season! It’s been a pleasure being your Secret Santa. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!
Warmly, Your Secret Santa”

Giving a Secret Santa Hint

If you love the mystery of office secret Santa, then hints can make the reveal more fun! Write something like:

• – “I’m from your favorite department.”
• – “We’ve exchanged emails this month.”

Best Gifts for Corporate Secret Santa

When it comes to selecting gifts for the office, the term “KISS” comes to mind: Keep it Simple Silly. The last thing you want to do is offend someone or confuse someone, so be sure to judge your work environment and keep it professional. Here are some secret Santa gift ideas:

1. Gift baskets (like gourmet treats, coffee-themed baskets, or wellness kits).
2. Desk accessories (succulents, organizers, or motivational decor).
3. Universal gadgets (portable chargers or Bluetooth speakers).

Gift baskets stand out as a versatile and thoughtful option (and yes, we admit we are extremely biased toward this one!). At Gift Baskets Overseas, we offer international corporate gift delivery for a wide range of customizable corporate gift baskets that cater to various tastes and preferences, making them ideal for Secret Santa exchanges. Alternatively, you can go wild and use gifts from Christmas movies to inform your ideas! Everything depends on context and your relationship with the colleagues.

Now you know more about Office Secret Santa game. What’s next?

The Office Secret Santa game is more than just a holiday tradition—it’s an opportunity to build stronger bonds, celebrate diversity, and inject some festive fun into the workplace. Whether your team is local or remote, a well-organized Secret Santa can spread cheer and make everyone feel valued. So why not elevate your office holiday tradition this year?

• – Explore our Christmas gift delivery offers
• – Check new year gifts for employees to expand your list of ideas
• – Use GBO Mobile App to organize Christmas gift delivery!