Secret Santa questionnaire

A questionnaire turns a guess into an informed choice. It works best when everyone fills it in before names are drawn, so nobody writes answers aimed at one person.

1. Set the budget and the exchange date, and put both in the invite.
2. Send the link to this page. Ask people to pick Work or Friends & family at the top.
3. Each person fills in the form, taps Create my list and signs in for free, then sends their list link to the organizer.
4. Draw names. The organizer forwards each link to the person who drew that name.
5. On the day, givers can mention which answer led to their gift. It is half the fun.

At work, keep it light: snacks, desk items, hobbies and allergies matter more than sizes. With family, sizes and exact links save the most stress, because people expect something they will keep.

These are the questions on the form and the printable, in order.

1. Your name
2. Sizes: top, bottom and shoe
3. Favorite colors
4. Favorite treats and drinks (at work: favorite snacks and coffee order)
5. Hobbies and interests (at work: what i do outside work)
6. Things I love
7. Please no (dislikes and allergies) (at work: please avoid (allergies, scents, alcohol))
8. I already have enough of
9. Dream gift within the budget
10. My wish list: up to five items, each with an optional link

Good office questions are easy to answer in a minute and never personal. Use these if you would rather build your own form.

• What is your go-to coffee or tea order?
• Sweet or savory snacks?
• Any food allergies or things you avoid?
• Do you prefer scented or unscented things?
• What would make your desk nicer?
• Favorite color or color you would never use?
• A book, podcast or show you love right now?
• Indoor or outdoor person?
• A small thing you always run out of?
• Anything you already have too many of?

Skip questions about weight, age, religion, relationships and money. For gift ideas once you have the answers, see our Secret Santa gifts for coworkers.

• Collect questionnaires before the draw. Late forms are the main reason a giver ends up guessing.
• Name a deadline about one week before the exchange so people can order online.
• Ask people to list allergies and scents to avoid, even if the answer is “none”.
• Keep the budget firm and say whether gift cards are allowed.
• For remote teams, ask for a shipping address separately and only share it with the giver.
• Keep one spare questionnaire for anyone who joins late.

Making a list for the holidays? Try the Christmas list templates: kids, letter to Santa, teen, classic and family versions, all free to print or fill in online.