Company Secret Santa: tips for teams

Why a company Secret Santa?

A company Secret Santa is much more than a gift exchange. It is a useful team-building activity: it strengthens the group and sweetens the run-up to Christmas at the office. In Switzerland, Secret Santa at work has become a popular tradition.

Team building

It strengthens ties across departments and encourages informal conversation.

A better mood

It brings joy and a change of pace to the working day, especially when things are stressful.

A fair cost

Everyone spends the same amount. Nobody feels pressured or left out.

Appreciation

It shows appreciation and a personal bit of attention between colleagues.

Organisation, step by step

Good planning is the key to a successful company Secret Santa. Follow this tried-and-tested 6-step plan:

1

Tell the team

Send an email or an announcement at least 3 to 4 weeks before the event. Ask who is interested and explain the idea.

2

Set the rules

Agree together: the budget (15–30 CHF is a good range), the date, the variant, and whether gifts stay anonymous.

3

Collect the participants

Make a list with the name and email address of everyone taking part. Optional: ask for wishes or things to avoid.

4

Draw the names

Use an online tool such as Wichtlä.ch. It saves time, prevents mistakes, and makes sure nobody draws themselves.

5

Send reminders

One to two weeks before the event, send a reminder with the important details: date, budget and how the exchange will run.

6

Hold the event

Plan a festive setting: a Christmas party, an apéro, or a relaxed get-together at the office.

Budget recommendations

Choosing the right budget matters. Here are our suggestions based on team size and company culture:

💰 Budget guidelines for Swiss companies

15–20 CHF: ideal for large teams (more than 20 people) or tighter budgets
20–30 CHF: the standard for medium teams (10-20 people) — a good middle ground
30–50 CHF: for small teams (fewer than 10 people) or higher expectations

Important: the budget should be affordable for every participant. Keep different salary levels in mind!

What is included in the budget?

✅ The gift itself
✅ Wrapping (paper, ribbon)
✅ Optional: a greeting card or a Secret Santa card
❌ Not included: the cost of the Christmas party or the apéro

Popular company Secret Santa variants

1. Classic Secret Santa

Each person draws a name and finds a suitable gift. The gifts are handed over in person at the event.

Best for: teams that know each other well and appreciate personal gifts.

2. Secret Santa angel

For 2 to 4 weeks, someone leaves small treats on a colleague’s desk, in secret. The big reveal comes at the end.

Best for: teams that see a lot of each other in the office. Budget: 5–10 CHF per week.

3. Gag-gift Secret Santa

Everyone brings an unwanted, quirky or funny gift. Humour comes first!

Best for: relaxed teams with a sense of humour. Keep it respectful.

4. Themed Secret Santa

Every gift follows a theme: “sustainable”, “local”, “red”, “handmade”, and so on.

Best for: teams that care about a particular theme, such as sustainability.

5. Dice Secret Santa

All the gifts sit in the middle. People take turns rolling the dice. On a 6, you may take a gift or steal one.

Best for: large teams and sociable events when you have enough time.

Gift ideas for the office

Top 10 gifts for colleagues

A good travel mug — for coffee or tea at the desk (15–25 CHF)
Desk organiser — order and style for the office (15–30 CHF)
Swiss chocolate — a premium selection, always welcome (15–25 CHF)
A small desk plant — a succulent or cactus (10–15 CHF)
Motivational posters or cards — for a positive mood (10–20 CHF)
A quality notebook — for meetings and notes (12–20 CHF)
USB gadgets — keyboard light, fan, mug warmer (15–25 CHF)
Tea or coffee set — a premium selection for people who enjoy it (15–25 CHF)
Funny office accessories — a bit of fun at work (10–20 CHF)
Power bank — handy on the go (20–30 CHF)

Gifts that always work

🍫 Good chocolate or sweets
☕ Coffee, tea or drinking chocolate
🕯️ Scented candles (choose neutral scents)
📓 Nice notebooks or a calendar
🧦 Funny or good-quality socks

Do’s and don’ts for a company Secret Santa

✅ Do

Stick to the budget — fairness matters
Wrap the gift nicely
Choose a neutral gift, unless you know each other well
Buy it in time, not at the last minute
If you are unsure, pick a classic
Use exclusions, for example for managers
Have fun and join in!

❌ Don’t

Go far over or far under the budget
Give gifts with a political or religious message
Give gifts that are too personal or intimate
Give alcohol, unless you know it is welcome
Give used or broken items, except in a gag-gift exchange
Give gifts with an in-joke only two people understand
Draw your own name

Common challenges and how to handle them

❓ “Not everyone wants to take part. What now?”

What to do: Secret Santa should always be voluntary. Run a quick poll and only organise the event if enough people want in, at least 5 or 6. Nobody should feel left out.

❓ “Our team works from home. Can we still do Secret Santa?”

What to do: Yes! Use an online tool for the draw and send the gifts by post. Hold a virtual exchange on a video call. It works really well.

❓ “Someone lost their match. What now?”

What to do: with an online tool such as Wichtlä.ch, everyone can look up the person they’re giving a gift to again at any time, using their personal link. For paper slips: keep a spare list!

❓ “The budget does not work for everyone. What now?”

What to do: run an anonymous poll on the budget, or offer more than one group, for example a 15 CHF group and a 30 CHF group.

Checklist: organise a company Secret Santa

Use this checklist so nothing gets forgotten:

☐ Tell the team and ask who is interested (4 weeks before)
☐ Set the budget and the date (3 weeks before)
☐ Choose the variant (classic, gag gift, themed, and so on)
☐ Make the participant list with email addresses
☐ Use an online tool (for example Wichtlä.ch) and run the draw
☐ Optional: define exclusions (managers, partners, and so on)
☐ Send a reminder email (2 weeks before)
☐ Plan the setting (Christmas party, apéro, lunch)
☐ Final reminder (1 week before)
☐ Hold the event and have fun! 🎉

Company Secret Santa: the ultimate guide