How to Play Secret Santa at Christmas Party

If you’ve been invited to a Christmas party or you’re hosting a Christmas party at home, chances are, you will be playing games. Lots and lots of games.

One of the most popular games by far is Secret Santa, also known as Kris Kringle or White Elephant. Ultimately it is a fun and easy game that gives you the opportunity to exchange gifts with your friends, family members or colleagues. Here is a quick lowdown on how to play Secret Santa.

The Game Rule of Secret Santa

The basic idea of Secret Santa is quite simple. The most fun to get out of his game is maintaining the secrecy.

1. First, prior to attending the party – probably a week to a month in advance – all participants’ names are placed into a container, such as a hat, a basket or a box. These names are thoroughly mixed up.
2. Then, each person takes turn to pick one name out. You, as the Secret Santa, can look at it but you are not to tell anyone the name you’ve picked. You are now responsible for buying the gift for the person you have selected.
3. When wrapping your gift, make sure you put the recipients name on it but take care not to put your own name down as the sender!
4. At the Christmas party, all the gifts are put in an agreed place – usually under the Christmas tree – for opening at a designated time. When that time comes, each recipient looks for their own gift and must guess who their Secret Santa is. If they can’t guess or have guessed incorrectly, their Secret Santa can reveal their identities.

Different variations of the Secret Santa game

There are various versions of Secret Santa that you might want to play at the Christmas party this year.

Yankee Swap: This is where each participant takes turns taking a gift they like or stealing from someone who had already chosen one. A wicked holiday party game for gift exchange!

Left, Right, Left: Everyone holds a gift while someone reads a story. Every time the words ‘left’ or ‘right’ are read out, the gift must be passed in that direction. Everyone can open their presents at the end of the story.

Grab Bag: The gifts are all wrapped in deceptive shapes and are placed in a giant sack or box. Everyone takes turns taking the one that interests them the most.

Scavenger Hunt: Turning this game into a scavenger hunt in the house is also a great idea.

What to prepare for the game and things you can consider gifting

There isn’t much to prepare for this game. Notifying people about the Secret Santa game and giving friendly reminders to guests to bring their gifts is more than enough you need to do. As for the Christmas party itself, preparing a Christmas movie or a gingerbread house to build is the perfect activity for the holiday season.

Gift Something offers a wide range of fun gifts to give for Secret Santa. Here are our top picks:

1. KIKKERLAND STACKING GAME DON’T TIP THE WAITER (Price: HK$300.00): Give boredom the boot and put your balancing skills to the test. The goal is to place all the dishes on the beechwood waiter’s hands without tipping him over.

2. Diesel & Dutch Brain Teaser Trivia Box (Price: HK$169.00): Have fun whilst giving your brain a workout. Brain Teasers will test your problem solving and lateral thinking skills. These 145 tricky quiz questions will help boost your brain power whilst you play an interactive fun game that rewards players for early answers.

3. Kikkerland Balance The Baker (Price: HK$240.00): A family that plays together, stays together. Gift your loved ones this fun game with a kitchen theme, which is perfect for a lazy Sunday. The Baker, created using beechwood and cotton, is quirky and whimsical.