Secret Santa for large families
With 20 to 50 relatives, one big draw usually works better than several small ones, as long as you split kids from adults and block the pairs that would be silly. Set the rules before you draw, then add them to the Hollyhush group.
One draw, or one per branch?
For up to about 30 people, a single draw is simplest and gives gifts across the whole family. Past 30, or if some branches rarely see each other, run one draw per household branch and keep the same budget. Hollyhush groups hold up to 50 people. Start one at /start and see Secret Santa for the family for the basics.
If you do split, decide the split by who will be in the room on the swap date, not by family tree. A gift is only fun if it can be handed over.
Separate the generations
- Adults and older teens go in the main draw.
- Kids under about 12: a parent or aunt manages their name, or the grown ups each buy one small shared gift for the kids' table.
- Grandparents: include them if they want to play. A grandchild can open the link for them and read the name aloud.
- Do not let one person end up buying for a three year old and another for an uncle. Use separate budgets by group, such as $10 for kids and $25 for adults.
The exclusions list for a big family
Write the rules on paper before you type them in. The common ones are couples, parents and their own children, siblings living in the same house, and last year's pair. Add each as a "can't draw" rule.
The more exclusions you add, the higher the chance there is no valid draw. Hollyhush checks and tells you if the rules make a draw impossible, so you can loosen one before anyone sees a name. The full method is in Secret Santa with exclusions.
In a family of 30, a rule list of 10 to 15 exclusions is normal and almost always solvable.
Last year's pairs
Keep a note of last year's draw, or have each person tell the organizer only who they had, not who had them. Block those pairs as exclusions so nobody gets the same cousin twice. If that gets complicated, skip it and accept that repeats happen about once in every few draws in a big group.
Budget that fits a whole family
One flat number is fairer than a range. $20 to $30 suits most adult families. If incomes differ, lower it to $15 and let people add something handmade. For a deeper guide, see how much to spend on Secret Santa.
Create the family group and share one link in the family chat. Create your group, free
Running the day
- Send the link in the family chat and give people one week to join.
- The organizer draws once everyone is in. Nobody, including the organizer, can see the matches.
- Post the swap date and the budget as the first message.
- On the day, use TV mode to reveal pairs one at a time if everyone is gathered.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can be in a family Secret Santa?
Hollyhush is free up to 50 people per group. Many families split into branches once they pass about 30.
How do we include kids in a big family exchange?
Put kids in a separate pool with a smaller budget, and have a parent manage their name. Or skip the draw for kids and give a small shared gift.
How do we stop people drawing their own spouse?
Add a "can't draw" rule between each couple. Hollyhush checks the rules and warns you if they make a draw impossible.
What if grandma does not use a phone?
A family member can open the link for her, read her name to her and help with a wishlist. No account is needed.
Can the organizer join the draw?
Yes. Nobody can see the matches, so the organizer plays like everyone else.
Try it now
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- Wishlists & anonymous questions
- Deletes itself in 60 days
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