Secret Santa · Printables
Free Secret Santa printables
Name slips, a wish list, a parent letter, invitations, and gift tags — all available as PDFs, free and with no sign-up. No email address and no newsletter.
The printables
Five files, all formatted for A4 printing and ready to use. What you need depends on how your group plans to draw names.
Cut-and-fold name slips
The page contains 24 equal-size slips with cut and fold lines. Add names, cut them out, fold them, and place them in a bowl or hat.
The real catch with a paper draw: someone regularly draws their own name. If the slip goes back and that person draws again, they now know one name still in the bowl. In a small group, that can be enough to work out several matches.
An online draw avoids the problem by creating one closed loop: no self-matches and no reciprocal pairs. The paper slips are included because many groups still prefer an analog draw.
Wish list and questionnaire
Each half-page form has four prompts: three things I would enjoy · things I already have or would rather not receive · favorite snacks or drinks · clothing size, only if I want to share it.
It may sound formal, but it is the most useful sheet in the exchange. It gives away very little — no one writes down the exact item they expect — and prevents the third generic bath set.
For a classroom exchange, the form is close to essential. Children often draw someone they barely know. A few broad clues give them a fair chance to choose something kind and appropriate.
Parent letter for a classroom exchange
This note answers the three questions that otherwise come back to the teacher: how much, what kind of gift, and by when. Copy it and replace the bracketed fields.
Dear families,
On [Exchange date], our [Class name] class will hold a Secret Santa exchange. Each child will receive another child's name and bring one small gift for that person. The match stays secret until the exchange.
The spending limit is [Amount]. Please treat this as a firm maximum so every child can feel comfortable.
The children will share a few broad preferences. Handmade gifts are welcome; for food gifts, please follow school rules and known allergy guidance.
Please send the wrapped gift by [Return date]. Label it with the recipient's name but not the giver's name so the match stays secret.
Participation is optional. If your child will not take part or needs an accommodation, please contact [Contact name] before names are drawn so no child is left without a gift.
Thank you,
[Sender name]
Download the parent letter PDF ↓
For preschool and early elementary groups, a shared Advent activity is often easier: no assigned pairs and no secret to keep for weeks. See more Secret Santa ideas.
Invitation text for your group
A group chat and an office notice call for different tones. Each version includes the same five essentials: date, place, spending limit, signup deadline, and organizer. Leave one out and questions follow.
Straightforward
We're holding Secret Santa on [Date] at [Time] in [Place]. The firm spending limit is [Amount]. Sign up with [Organizer] by [Deadline]; names will be drawn afterward. You're welcome at the gathering even if you skip the exchange.
Casual
Secret Santa is on! Meet us [Date] at [Time] in [Place]. Keep the gift at or under [Amount] — the fun is in choosing, not outspending. Tell [Organizer] by [Deadline] if you're in.
Rhyming
A secret name, a little surprise; / keep the gift under [Amount] — that’s the price. / Join us [Date] at [Time] in [Place], / and tell [Organizer] by [Deadline] to save your place.
Messages for gift tags
Do not put the giver's name on the tag, or the secret draw was for nothing. A short message fills the space without giving anyone away. The PDF includes twelve; here are the first four:
- „A little something from your Secret Santa.“
- „Wrapped with care, signed with mystery.“
- „Your Santa stopped by.“
- „One clue: I think you'll use this.“
One detail matters in a small group: your handwriting may reveal more than the message. Print the tag or ask someone outside the exchange to write it.
Secret Santa at school, preschool, and home
Classroom
Use a firm $5 maximum, have everyone complete the wish list, and let the teacher run and record the draw. State one rule clearly: no criticizing a gift. It sounds strict, but it prevents a child from being embarrassed.
Preschool
Skip a classic name draw. Keeping a secret for two weeks is too much to expect from young children. A shared Advent activity or group craft works better.
Family
Use exclusions when couples would rather not draw each other because they already exchange gifts. Paper slips cannot handle that cleanly; online it is a setting.
A useful habit for families that exchange every year: record the matches. Otherwise the same pairing can return three years in a row.
Then you do not need paper slips: enter names, run the draw, and pass the device. No one draws themselves, reciprocal pairs are prevented, and the data stays in the browser.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to enter an email address?
No. Every printable is a direct PDF download with no account or newsletter.
May I use these printables at school?
Yes, for your own classroom or group. They may not be resold.
How many name slips fit on one page?
24. Print the page twice for a larger group.
What goes on the tag if the giver stays secret?
Use a short message, symbol, or number. In a small group, avoid recognizable handwriting.
Are the printables available in other languages?
Yes. Each locale has its own PDFs and locally appropriate sample wording, including the classroom letter.
Can I edit the parent letter?
Yes. It is designed to be customized; brackets mark every field to replace.