Secret Santa questionnaire
Fill this in online or print it out. A couple of minutes of answers about favourites, sizes, allergies and no-go gifts help your Secret Santa choose something you’ll actually love. Your answers stay on your device.
Your answers
Everything is optional. Answer what you like, then copy your answers into a message to the organizer or print them.
Answers are saved on this device as you type.
How to use the questionnaire
If you’re taking part:
- Fill in what you’re happy to share. Short answers are fine: “dark chocolate, not milk” tells your Secret Santa plenty.
- Press “Copy as text”. Paste your answers into a message to the organizer, or press “Print my answers”.
- Or use the short version. “Copy short version for a wish list” squeezes the key points into 300 characters, the size of a wish list in our generator.
If you’re organizing:
- Send everyone this page’s link with the sign-up message, or print blank forms for people who prefer paper.
- Collect the answers. Ask people to send them to you privately, not in the group chat.
- Paste each person’s short version into their wish list in the generator before you draw. Their Secret Santa then sees it when they open their link, and you don’t have to forward anything.
Why the questions matter
- Favourites (colours, treats, drinks) are the quickest way to make a small gift feel personal.
- Hobbies and media point to books, games, gear or accessories the person will use.
- Sizes are only needed if clothing is allowed. Many offices rule it out, and that’s fine.
- Allergies and dietary needs are the most important answers on the form. Food is a popular Secret Santa gift, and a nut allergy or a vegan diet changes what’s safe to give.
- Scents matter because candles, soaps and diffusers are common gifts and many people dislike strong fragrances.
- “Please don’t give me” saves everyone from duplicate mugs, clutter or things people can’t use.
- Gift cards and homemade gifts divide opinion, so it helps to know each person’s view.
Looking for ideas once you’ve read your match’s answers? Try the gift ideas by budget or gifts for coworkers.
Your answers stay on your device
The form saves your answers in this browser’s local storage so you can come back and finish later. They are never sent to us or to anyone else: copying and printing happen on your device, and you decide who gets your answers. Press “Clear answers” to delete them. The privacy page explains what the site does and doesn’t collect.
Frequently asked questions
Why use a Secret Santa questionnaire?
Because most people draw someone they don’t know that well. A few answers about favourite treats, hobbies, sizes and things to avoid turn guesswork into a gift the person will actually use, and they flag allergies before anyone buys chocolate with nuts.
What questions should a Secret Santa questionnaire include?
Keep it short: favourite colours, treats and drinks, hobbies, a couple of things the person enjoys reading, watching or playing, sizes if clothing is allowed, allergies or dietary needs, scents they like or avoid, and a clear “please don’t give me” line.
Where are my questionnaire answers saved?
Only in this browser on this device, so you can come back and finish later. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else. Press “Clear answers” to delete them from the device.
How do I get my answers to my Secret Santa?
Press “Copy as text” and paste your answers into a message to the organizer, or print the page. If your group uses our generator, the organizer can paste the short version into your wish list, and your Secret Santa will see it when they open their link.
Can I add a wish list?
Yes. Open Details next to a name and fill in their wish list (up to 300 characters: ideas, sizes, things to avoid, even links as text). Their Secret Santa sees it on their reveal page. You can add or change wish lists after the draw too: the pairs stay the same and you just re-send the updated links.
What’s a good gift for a coworker I don’t know?
Check their wish list first. If there isn’t one, choose something useful and impersonal that most people enjoy: a nice drink or snack (mind dietary needs), a desk item, a mug, a plant, stationery or a small book. Avoid very personal items like clothing, perfume or anything that could be awkward at work.
Is it OK to give gift cards?
If your group allows them, yes: they’re practical, easy to post and impossible to get “wrong”. Some groups prefer to ban them because they feel less personal. Put your group’s decision in the rules or the note so everyone knows before shopping.
Is my data stored anywhere?
Only on your own device. Your groups are saved in this browser’s local storage so you can come back to them; you can delete one group or everything with one click. Each reveal link carries its details after the # sign, which browsers never send to a server. The site uses Google Analytics to count visits, but it never receives names, emails, wish lists or link contents.
Collected the answers? Draw names now
Updated · Written by the GiftShuffle team