How to run a fair Secret Santa

A few decisions up front stop most Secret Santa grumbles before they start.

Agree a budget everyone can manage

Pick one number and say it out loud. £10 to £20 suits most offices; families often go higher. A clear budget stops one person spending £50 while another spends £5.

Set the date, and a deadline for joining

Choose the day you'll swap gifts, and draw names at least two weeks before so there's time to order things.

Keep the draw secret, even from the organiser

Drawing from a hat works until the organiser has to redo it. A draw nobody can see keeps it fair for the person running it too.

Plan for partners and late joiners

Decide whether couples can draw each other, and what happens if someone joins after the draw or drops out.

Ask everyone for a short wish list

Three or four ideas within budget is plenty. It saves the buyer guessing and saves the drawer of the colleague they've never spoken to.

See how the Gift Compass draw works