Secret Santa reveal ideas

How to pick a reveal

Choose by group size and time. Under 10 people, you can do anything. Over 25, pick something quick so it does not take over the party. For remote groups, anything that happens live on video works, but keep each turn under a minute.

Also decide if the Santa is revealed at all. Some groups keep it secret forever. If you do reveal, tell people before the draw, so no one is surprised.

12 reveal ideas

The list below mixes quick and slow options. Each has a short how-to.

Which reveal for which group

Hollyhush has a guess-your-Santa game and a TV mode that shows pairs one at a time, built for the reveal. Create your group, free

Tips so the reveal goes well

• Set a time limit per person. Thirty seconds is plenty.
• Ask Santas to say one sentence about why they chose the gift.
• Do not force anyone to reveal if they would rather stay anonymous. Say so in the invite.
• Take photos only if the group agreed to it.
• End with a toast, and let the quietest person go first so they are not the last one standing.

Plan the reveal before the draw. It is much easier to run a guessing game if everyone knows from day one.

Print or prepare

A few printed cards help with most of these. The reveal scorecard and reveal party plan pages have printable versions. You can also use Secret Santa clues for a trail.

1. Guess your Santa

   Before opening gifts, everyone writes a guess of who has them. The most right guesses wins a small prize.

2. Gift-by-gift unmask

   Each person opens their gift in turn, then the Santa stands up. Simple and works for any size.

3. Clue trail

   Santas leave three clues over the final week. People try to guess before the party.

4. Name card envelope

   Each Santa gives a card with their name inside a sealed envelope, opened after the gift.

5. Table-by-table reveal

   At larger parties, reveal one table at a time, so groups stay engaged.

6. Video call unmute

   On a remote call, the person opens the gift on camera, guesses, and the Santa unmutes.

7. Group chat countdown

   Post gift photos with a numbered list. People guess in the thread, and Santas reveal on the swap date.

8. Treasure hunt

   Santas hide the gift and leave clues. The finder keeps it and meets the Santa at the final clue. Best for kids.

9. Story reveal

   The organizer reads a short story that mentions each gift. When the gift is named, the Santa steps forward.

10. TV mode slideshow

    Show one pair at a time on a big screen. In Hollyhush, TV mode does this from the organizer's phone.

11. Photo guess

    Each Santa shares a childhood photo. Receivers match the photo to the gift giver.

12. Secret forever

    Never reveal. Some groups keep it a mystery and just say thanks to the whole group.