Guide
Family gift exchange: buy one great gift instead of ten small ones
Big families often end up buying a small gift for everyone, which adds up fast and leaves a pile of things nobody needs. Drawing names fixes that: each adult buys one better gift for one person, and the budget goes much further.
Ways families do it
- Adults draw adults. Kids still get gifts from everyone, but grown-ups draw one name each.
- Everyone draws. Kids included, often with parents helping the little ones shop.
- Kids draw kids. A separate group for the cousins, with a lower limit.
- Household draw. Each household draws another household and buys one shared gift, like a board game or a nice food basket.
Rules that keep the peace
Add a rule so spouses and partners can't draw each other. Many families also keep parents from drawing their own kids, and avoid repeating last year's match. PullAName lets you set all of these before the draw.
Grandparents and relatives who don't do email
No problem. You don't need emails at all. Share one group link by text or in the family chat. Each person opens it and taps their own name. If grandma doesn't have a phone, someone can open the link with her, tap her name, and write down her match on paper. Leave the email code option off for family groups so it stays easy.
Wish lists end the "what do I get Uncle Mike" problem
Ask everyone to add a few ideas to their wish list. For kids, parents can add sizes and current favorites. Their Secret Santa sees the list the moment names are drawn.
Pick a budget
$25 to $50 per gift is common for adults. A lower limit for kids, like $15 to $25, keeps things fair. See gifts under $50 and gifts under $25 for ideas.
Common questions
How do you do a family gift exchange with kids?
Many families run two draws: one for adults and one for the kids, each with its own spending limit. Parents help younger kids shop for their match.
Can we stop spouses from drawing each other?
Yes. On PullAName, add a rule like "Anna can't draw Mike, both ways" before you draw names.
Draw names for free
Set up your group in about a minute. No sign-up. Everyone gets a private page with their match and wish list.
Start a draw