Guide
Virtual Secret Santa: how to do it when everyone is far apart
Remote teams and spread-out families can still do Secret Santa. The draw and the wish lists happen online, gifts get shipped, and the reveal happens on a video call.
Step by step
- Create the group on PullAName and add everyone who wants in.
- Share one group link in your team chat or family group. Each person taps their own name.
- Ask for a wish list, and ask people to put their shipping address or city in the wish list note if they're comfortable with that. For work groups, many teams collect addresses privately through HR or the organizer instead.
- Draw names once everyone has joined.
- Set the swap date two to three weeks out so shipped gifts arrive in time.
- Open gifts together on a video call. Each person opens their gift on camera and guesses who sent it.
Shipping tips
- Buy online and ship straight to your match, so you don't have to repack anything.
- Mark it as a gift and add a note like "Secret Santa, don't open until the 18th".
- Leave room for slow shipping. Set the deadline a few days before the call.
Gifts that ship well
Small, light and not fragile: a mug, socks, snacks, a phone gadget, a book, a desk item. See gifts under $25 or coworker gifts.
Common questions
How does a virtual Secret Santa work?
Names are drawn online, each person sees their match and wish list on a private page, gifts are shipped, and the group opens them together on a video call.
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