What this tool does
Drawing names out of a hat works when everyone is in the same room. When your family, friends or office are spread out, this tool does the draw for you. Type the names, set a price limit and the date of the exchange, and choose people who should not draw each other, such as partners. Press "Draw names" and you get one private link for each person. Each link opens this page and shows only that person's match. For a White Elephant swap, the tool picks a random order of turns instead.
How the draw works
- The tool shuffles the list with your browser's secure random number generator and checks that nobody drew their own name or the person they should skip. If a rule is broken, it shuffles again.
- Some rules cannot all be met, for example with three people where two may not draw each other. Then the tool tells you, and you can remove a rule or add a person.
- Every person gives one gift and gets one gift.
Is it private?
The names never leave your device. There is no sign-up, and nothing is stored on a server. Each link carries the match inside the link itself, after the # sign. That part of a web address is read by the browser on the device that opens it and is not sent to any website, including ours. Two things to know: the person who runs the draw can see every link, so the organizer could find out the matches if they opened the other links, and anyone who gets a link can see that one match. Send each person only their own link, by text or email.
White Elephant in short
Everyone brings one wrapped gift within the price limit and puts it in a pile. In the order the tool picks, each person either opens a gift from the pile or steals a gift someone already opened. A person whose gift is stolen picks again. Many groups set a limit on how many times one gift can be stolen. Agree on your rules before you start.
Keep the gift exchange affordable
- Choose a price limit that everyone in the group can afford, and say whether it includes tax and shipping.
- Add the gift to your holiday budget, so it is part of your plan.
- Shopping online for the gift? Check the price with the "Is it really a deal?" calculator and watch for holiday shopping scams.
Frequently asked questions
How many people do I need?
At least three for Secret Santa, because with two people each one would know who has their name. A White Elephant order works with two or more. The tool takes up to 30 names.
Can I stop partners from drawing each other?
Yes. For each person, choose one name in "Can't draw". The tool only accepts a draw where nobody gets their own name or the person they should skip.
What if someone loses their link?
The organizer can copy it again from the results while the page is still open. If the page was closed, run a new draw and send everyone their new link; the old links still show the old matches.
Does the site save our names?
No. Names stay on this page and in the links. They are not stored in your browser or sent to us.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no limit on how many draws you run.