Secret Santa for teachers
A staff exchange works when the budget is small, the pool includes everyone from teachers to custodians, and the draw crosses grade levels. Set a $15 to $20 cap, draw on a Hollyhush link, and exchange at the last staff meeting before break.
Who is in the pool?
Decide before you start whether it is teachers only, or the whole building: teachers, aides, office staff, custodians, lunch staff, bus drivers and the principal. A whole building draw is warmer, but it needs a lower cap, since aides and support staff often earn less. $10 to $15 is a safe building wide number.
Make sign up optional and never publish who joined. A private link keeps it that way.
Make the draw fair across grades
In a school, friend groups form by grade and hallway. Add exclusions so people on the same grade team do not draw each other, which pushes gifts across the building. Keep exclusions for the principal too, or leave the principal out of the draw and have them bring a treat for the staff room instead.
If you have more than 50 staff, split by building or by department and keep the same budget.
Gift ideas that suit school life
- A nice pen set, sticky notes and flair pens (~$10 to $15).
- A mug and hot chocolate or tea, if you check dietary needs first.
- Hand cream and lip balm. Teachers wash their hands a lot.
- A gift card to a coffee shop or a bookstore.
- A classroom item they would not buy for themselves: a good desk plant, a small speaker, a wall clock.
- A funny staff room mug or desk sign, kept kind.
Run it without extra work
- Create the group in about 10 seconds and share one link in the staff chat.
- Give people until a set day to join, such as the Friday before Thanksgiving.
- Draw. Nobody can see the matches, so the person running it can play too.
- Put the budget and the swap date at the top. Hollyhush shows both on every page.
- Exchange at the last staff meeting or during a half day before break.
Draw names for your staff in seconds. Free for up to 50 people. Create your group, free
Etiquette that keeps the peace
Keep jokes light and avoid gifts about weight, age or politics. No gifts that cost more than the cap, even if the recipient is a close friend. If a staff member skips, do not ask why. A teacher who joined late can be matched by redrawing before anyone has seen a name.
For a wider list of workplace rules, see Secret Santa for the office and Secret Santa etiquette. Gift ideas can be found at teacher gift ideas under $20.
Ask people to add allergies and dislikes to the wishlist so lunch staff and aides are not surprised by a food gift.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good budget for a teacher Secret Santa?
About $15 to $20 for teachers only, or $10 to $15 if the whole building including aides and support staff joins.
Who should be in a school staff Secret Santa?
It is up to you. Many schools include everyone in the building, which feels more inclusive, with a lower cap.
How do we mix grades so the same friends do not draw each other?
Add can't draw rules between members of the same grade team. Hollyhush checks that the draw is still possible.
Can the principal join?
Yes, and nobody can see matches, so the principal can play like everyone else. Some schools prefer the principal brings a staff room treat instead.
When should we exchange gifts?
At the last staff meeting or a half day before winter break.
Try it now
A draw takes about a minute. No signup, no email, a private link for everyone.
Create your group, free- Couples & exclusions
- Wishlists & anonymous questions
- Deletes itself in 60 days
Ready when you are
Make a draw in a minute. No signup, no email, private links for everyone.