How do you reveal Secret Santas on a video call?

Open gifts together on the call, let each person guess who their Santa was, and then have givers reveal themselves one by one for a fun finish.

Virtual Secret Santa

Q: How do you do a virtual Secret Santa?

Use an online generator to draw names, have everyone add a wish list, then ship gifts directly to each recipient and open them together on a video call. No in-person hat or meeting is needed.

Q: How do gifts work in a long-distance Secret Santa?

Each person ships their gift to their match using the address they share, or buys from the recipient's online wish list so it arrives directly. Set a date so everyone opens around the same time.

Q: What is a good virtual Secret Santa gift?

Easy-to-ship or digital gifts work best: gift cards, subscriptions, books, gourmet treats, cozy items, or anything from the person's online wish list.

Distance is no reason to skip the fun. A virtual Secret Santa lets remote teams, long-distance friends, and far-flung family draw names, share wish lists, and swap gifts entirely online. Here's exactly how to run one.

🎁 Start your online exchange free

Step by step

How to do a virtual Secret Santa

Draw names online

Add everyone to a free online generator and draw names instantly. Everyone gets their match privately, no group call or hat required, and the organizer can play too.

Everyone adds a wish list

Wish lists matter even more when you don't see each other daily, so givers know exactly what to send.

Ship gifts directly

Buy from the recipient's wish list or ship to the address they share, so gifts arrive without spoiling the surprise. Set a "don't open until" date.

Reveal on a video call

Hop on Zoom, open gifts together, guess who your Santa was, and have givers reveal themselves one by one.

🎁 Get started free

Free · no account needed to start

Tips for a great remote Secret Santa

Set a clear deadline. Shipping takes time, so give a firm "gifts must arrive by" date.
Use wish lists and online stores. Buying from a linked wish list means gifts ship straight to the recipient.
Prefer easy-to-ship or digital gifts. Gift cards, subscriptions, books, and treats travel well.
Share addresses privately. Only the giver needs the recipient's address, keep it in the app, not a group chat.
Plan the reveal. A short video call to open together is the highlight, put it on the calendar early.

Running it for a distributed team? This works hand in hand with our office Secret Santa guide.

Ships easy

Virtual Secret Santa gift ideas

Gifts that travel well or arrive instantly.

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Gift cards & subscriptions

Coffee, streaming, an audiobook credit, or a favorite store, delivered instantly, zero shipping.

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Wish-list items

Buy straight from their online wish list so it ships directly and you know they want it.

🍫

Treats & cozy goods

Gourmet snacks, tea samplers, candles, or cozy socks, easy to ship and universally loved.

More options: Secret Santa gift ideas by budget.

Good to know

Virtual Secret Santa questions, answered

How do you do a virtual Secret Santa?+

Draw names with an online generator, have everyone add a wish list, ship gifts directly to each recipient, and open them together on a video call.

How do gifts work long-distance?+

Each person ships to their match using the address they share, or buys from the recipient's online wish list so it arrives directly. Set a date so everyone opens around the same time.

What's a good virtual Secret Santa gift?+

Easy-to-ship or digital gifts: gift cards, subscriptions, books, gourmet treats, cozy items, or anything from the person's wish list.

How do you reveal Santas on a call?+

Open gifts together on the call, let each person guess who their Santa was, then have givers reveal themselves one by one.

Play Secret Santa from anywhere

Draw names online, share wish lists, and swap gifts across any distance. Free, and no app to download.

🎁 Start your virtual Secret Santa

Free forever · Works worldwide · Perfect for remote teams