🎅 Secret Santa at the office: everything you need to know
Compiled by curator Fleur and the editors · Updated juli 2026
Secret Santa is how more and more Dutch offices close the year together. Everyone taking part draws a name, buys something within an agreed amount, and during the Christmas drinks the parcels are opened and guessed. Cheap, cheerful and surprisingly personal, as long as you sort out a few things up front.
In this guide you will read how to organise it, what people usually spend, which rules work best, what to do without a wish list, and which gifts always land well. If you have just joined a Dutch team: taking part is voluntary, budgets are small on purpose, and the fun is in the guessing rather than the price tag.
How it works
The idea is simple. Everyone taking part puts their name in, then anonymously draws someone else. You buy something for that person within the agreed amount. On the agreed day, usually during the Christmas drinks, the parcels come out and everyone tries to guess who their Secret Santa was. There are variants: in white elephant you are allowed to steal each other's parcels, which works well with larger groups.
Draw names online
No paper slips needed. With our free name drawing tool you enter the names, share one link, and everyone privately sees who they drew. Handy when part of the team works from home, and you can exclude couples who should not draw each other.
What do people usually spend?
At most Dutch offices the amount lands between 5 and 15 euros per name. Agree on one fixed figure in advance and stick to it; that keeps it fair and relaxed for everyone. Want to settle up afterwards or club together for something bigger? The Split tool handles that. Make sure the agreement is clear before people start shopping.
The best ideas
A good Secret Santa parcel stays within budget and gets a laugh. It should not feel like a duty. Think ugly Christmas socks, a funny gadget or something tied to a hobby. Our list has hand-picked ideas, sorted by what reliably works with a team. If you would rather give something small that actually gets used, there is plenty of choice there too.
No wish list? No problem
You rarely get a wish list from the person you drew. Look for something universal that still feels personal: something tasty, a game for the break room, or an idea tied to what they always talk about. Completely stuck? Take the gift quiz and choose by office type. That way even a half-known teammate gets something decent.
All occasions at a glance
Frequently asked questions
What is the usual Secret Santa budget in the Netherlands?
At most Dutch offices it is between 5 and 15 euros per name. The exact figure is agreed with the group beforehand so it stays equal and relaxed for everyone.
How do you organise Secret Santa with your team?
Collect the names of everyone taking part, draw anonymously, agree on an amount and an unwrapping moment. Everyone buys within budget and on the day the parcels are opened and guessed.
What is a good Secret Santa gift?
Something within the agreed amount that gets a laugh when unwrapped. Ugly Christmas socks, a funny gadget, something tasty or a nod to a hobby. Personal and light beats expensive and serious.
What if you have no wish list?
Choose something universal: something tasty, an office game or ugly Christmas socks. Or take the gift quiz and pick by office type. A small idea that lands beats an expensive guess.
When should you start organising?
A few weeks before the Christmas drinks. That gives everyone time to draw and to order in time. Mid-November is a comfortable starting point, especially with people working from home.
What if someone does not want to join?
Taking part is always voluntary. Leave anyone who prefers not to out of the draw; pressure takes the fun out of it. Agree the amount with the group that does join.
Can you go over the agreed amount?
Stay as close to the agreement as you can. Going well over makes it uncomfortable for the others. A couple of euros extra is fine, but keep it in the same range.
What is white elephant?
A variant where you may steal each other's parcels. Everyone takes a turn picking a parcel or stealing one that is already open. Great fun with bigger groups, but agree in advance how often stealing is allowed.
Sources and further reading
- Secret Santa on Wikipedia — background on the tradition of drawing names anonymously.
- Nibud: household spending on gifts — independent Dutch figures on gift budgets.
Compiled by the Kantoorkado editors. Every gift is hand-picked and tested by curator Fleur and the team, so you only see ideas that are genuinely special, useful or good for a laugh. Read more about us.