How to do Secret Santa by text message
- Enter everyone’s name above, or paste them straight from your contacts or group chat.
- Add the budget and exchange date so everyone gets the same details.
- Tap “Draw names”. Nobody draws themselves, and any exclusions you set are respected.
- Tap “Text” next to each name. Your phone opens a new message with that person’s private link already written. Pick the contact and hit send.
- They tap the link and see who they’re buying for. That’s it. Nobody else sees their match.
Why text is the easiest way to run Secret Santa
Everyone already has a phone in their pocket, but not everyone checks email, and fewer still want to create an account on a gift-exchange website. Texting the draw keeps it simple. Grandparents, teenagers and coworkers can all open a link in a text message, and it lands somewhere they’ll actually see it.
Most Secret Santa sites that offer text messages make you collect everyone’s phone number and send messages through their own service. Here, nothing goes through us. Your phone sends a normal text to the contacts you choose, and the match is hidden inside the link itself. We never see phone numbers, names or matches.
Tips for a smooth text-message draw
- Send one-to-one texts, not a group thread. If you paste all the links into one group chat, everyone can open everyone else’s link.
- Add a note. Use “More options → Message to everyone” for things like “Gifts under $30, exchange at Mom’s on the 24th.” It shows up with each match.
- Joining your own draw? Text yourself your own link and open only that one. The results screen never shows who drew whom.
- Big group? Use “Copy all messages” to get every message in one block, then paste them into your messaging app one by one.
- Keep couples apart with exclusion rules, so partners don’t end up buying for each other.
Text, WhatsApp or email: which should you use?
Use whatever your group already uses. Text messages are best for families and mixed-age groups. WhatsApp is popular for international families and friend groups. Email suits workplaces where people don’t share phone numbers. Every result row has buttons for all three, plus “Copy link” for Slack, Teams, Discord or Instagram DMs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Secret Santa by text without anyone’s email?
Yes. Draw names here, then tap “Text” next to each person. Your phone’s messaging app opens with the private link already written. No email addresses or accounts are needed.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. The “Text” button opens Messages on iPhone and the default SMS app on Android. On a computer, use “Copy link” and paste it into any messaging app.
Will people see each other’s matches in a group text?
Only if you paste every link into one group thread. Send each link as a separate one-to-one text, so each person receives only their own link.
Does texting the links cost anything?
The generator is free. Each link is a normal text message, so your usual carrier rates apply. With iMessage, RCS or Wi-Fi calling it’s usually free.
What if someone deletes the text?
The organizer can reopen this page on the same device and tap “Show last draw’s links” to resend the exact same link. Drawing again would give everyone new matches.
Can I add a budget and date to the text?
Yes. Fill in the budget and exchange date before drawing. They appear on each person’s private page when they open the link.
Looking for a gift-stealing game for the party itself? Try the free White Elephant game.