Secret Santa questionnaire
A short questionnaire is the easiest way to make sure everyone in a Secret Santa gets something they'll actually use. Below are the questions that help most, grouped so you can pick the ones that fit your group. Copy them into your group chat, print them, or paste the answers straight into a wishlist.
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The quick version (copy and paste)
If you only ask a handful of questions, ask these:
Favorites
- Favorite color, or colors you'd never wear?
- Sweet or savory? Any favorite candy, chocolate or snack?
- Coffee order or favorite tea?
- Favorite scent, or are you scent-free?
- Favorite book, movie, show, band or game?
- Favorite sports team?
- A small treat you'd never buy yourself?
Hobbies and everyday life
- What do you do to relax?
- Do you cook, bake, garden, craft, play games or work out?
- Do you read on paper, an e-reader, or listen to audiobooks?
- What's something you use every day that could use an upgrade?
- Do you have pets? What are their names?
- Are you more cozy-night-in or out-and-about?
Practical details
- Sizes: shirt, socks, gloves, slippers (only if you're happy to share).
- Allergies or dietary needs: nuts, gluten, dairy, vegan, halal, kosher, alcohol-free.
- Things you have too many of already.
- Is a handmade gift welcome?
- For remote exchanges: is it OK to ship to you, or would you prefer a digital gift? (Share your address only with your Secret Santa, never in a group chat.)
Questions for an office Secret Santa
At work, keep questions light and avoid anything personal. These work well for coworkers:
- What's on your desk right now that you'd like to replace?
- Coffee, tea, or neither?
- Favorite snack for the afternoon slump?
- Plants: real, fake, or none?
- Do you work at a desk at home, in the office, or both?
- Anything you'd rather not receive (mugs, candles, food)?
More ideas for colleagues are in our office Secret Santa guide and gifts for coworkers.
Questions for kids and teens
- What's your favorite thing to do after school?
- Favorite character, show, game or YouTuber?
- Do you like building things, drawing, sports or reading?
- Favorite color and favorite animal?
- Anything you already have lots of?
For older kids, see Secret Santa gifts for teens.
How to use the questionnaire
In a group chat: paste the quick version and ask everyone to answer privately, then pass each person's answers to their Secret Santa. That works, but it means someone has to play messenger.
With Secret Santa Claws: draw names here, then share each person's private link. Everyone pastes their answers into the wishlist box on their own page, and only their Secret Santa sees them. Nobody needs to forward anything, and answers can be updated at any time before the exchange.
On paper: print this page with your browser's print option, hand out copies, and collect them in an envelope. The organizer then passes each sheet to the right Secret Santa.
Tips for good answers
- Be specific: "dark chocolate with sea salt" beats "chocolate".
- Give a range of ideas, including some cheaper ones, so your Santa can stay in budget.
- Say what to avoid. It saves your Santa a guess and saves you a gift you won't use.
- Fill it in early; people often shop as soon as they see their giftee.
Frequently asked questions
What questions should be on a Secret Santa questionnaire?
The most useful questions cover three gift ideas, favorite snacks and drinks, hobbies, favorite colors, sizes, allergies and things to avoid. Ten short questions are usually enough.
Is there a printable Secret Santa questionnaire?
Yes. Use your browser's print option on this page, or copy the quick version into a document and print as many as you need.
How do I share questionnaire answers with my Secret Santa?
On Secret Santa Claws, each person pastes their answers into the wishlist on their private link, and only their Secret Santa can see it. No forwarding is needed.
What should you not ask in an office Secret Santa questionnaire?
Avoid personal or sensitive topics such as clothing sizes beyond socks, health, religion or relationships unless someone volunteers them. Keep it to favorites, hobbies and desk or coffee preferences.
Related
Secret Santa Claws is run by Feral Scholar Media, LLC, which puts part of its earnings toward its own trap-neuter-return (TNR) work for feral cats, starting in India, where about $20 gets a street cat fixed and vaccinated. We are a business, not a registered charity, so using the site or buying through it is not a tax-deductible donation. About us
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