Secret Santa for clubs and teams

Pick the budget and the date

Sports teams and clubs mix ages and incomes, so a lower cap is kinder: $10 to $15 for youth teams, $15 to $20 for adult leagues and volunteer groups. Pick a date when everyone is already together: the last practice, the end of season party, or a regular meeting.

For online groups and gaming guilds, the exchange can be by mail or by e-gift, and the reveal happens in a voice channel. See virtual Secret Santa.

Sign up, draw and reveal

1. Create the group and post the link where members already talk: team chat, Discord, WhatsApp or group text.
2. Set a clear sign up deadline, such as the Friday two weeks before the swap.
3. Draw once, then post the budget and swap date.
4. Remind members the week before. Hollyhush does not send email reminders, so use the team chat.
5. Do the reveal at the end of a practice or meeting. TV mode works on a clubhouse screen.

Handle new members and late joiners

The cleanest rule is a firm sign up deadline and a note that late joiners get a small "bonus" gift from the captain or the club. Do not redraw once names are out. If a new member joins mid December, the organizer can pick a volunteer to buy a small gift for them, and let the new person give a gift to the organizer.

Another option: ask a trusted member to be a "double Santa" and give two small gifts. Keep it low key so the new member does not feel singled out.

If someone leaves before the swap, ask a captain to cover their gift. Do not redraw once gifts are bought.

Inside jokes: fun and kind

• A team themed mug, a mini trophy or a jersey sock is a classic.
• Gag gifts that reference a play, a bad game or a meme are fine if everyone is laughing.
• No gifts that target a person's weight, ability or relationship.
• Set a ceiling on jokes: if you would not say it in front of the coach, do not write it in the card.

Make it fair across ranks

Captains, coaches and long time members should not get fancier gifts than rookies. Use a flat cap. Add exclusions so a coach and a parent on the team do not draw each other, or so two people who carpool are not matched. The Secret Santa generator shows you if rules make a draw impossible.

Start a team group in seconds. Free for up to 50 people. Create your group, free

For youth teams

If the team is under 13, a coach or parent should run the group, skip the anonymous chat and keep gifts small. For teens see Secret Santa for teens, and for other groups see Secret Santa for friends.