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🎄 Free forever · no app to download

The easiest way
to run a Secret Santa

Name your group, add the gang, tap match. That's it.

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15,000+
matches made
14 yrs
running strong
<1 min
to set up
How it works

Three taps from idea to "Santas are sent!"

📝

Start the group

Name it, set a spending limit, add a note. Takes a sec.

✉️

Add the Santas

Paste in names & emails. Everyone gets a one-tap join link, no password.

🎁

Tap match

We avoid past pairings and email everyone their secret person, privately.

Then everyone adds a wishlist 🎀

Each person gets their own private space: a wishlist, a profile, and an anonymous thread with their Santa. We nudge anyone who forgets, so you don't have to.

What you get

Built for families & friends, ready for yours

🎯

Smart matching

Set who should never pair. It already avoids past years on its own.

📝

Wishlists that work

Add links from any store. Updates get batched into one daily email, never pesky.

💬

Anonymous messages

Ask your recipient a question without breaking the surprise.

📸

Post-Christmas photos

Everyone shares a photo of the gift they got, in a private gallery just for your group.

From real Santas

The site families come back to every year

Sly Santa is simple and smart. If you're in a Secret Santa, you must use this site. If you're not, start one now.

HB
Hannah B.scientist

I used to run our family's Secret Santa by hand. It took forever. Now my mother-in-law has finally stopped asking what to buy.

LP
Linda P.mother of five
Good to know

Common questions

Is Sly Santa free?
Yes. Sly Santa is free forever for the basics, with no ads, and we never sell your data.
Do I need to download an app?
No. Sly Santa runs in your browser on a phone or computer, so there is nothing to install.
How does Sly Santa work?
Name your group, add people by name and email, and tap match. Sly Santa randomly assigns each person someone to buy for, avoiding past-year pairings and any restrictions you set, then emails everyone their match privately.
Do participants need to create a password?
No. Everyone gets a one-tap join link by email, so there is no password to remember (or forget!).
Can I stop certain people from being matched?
Yes. You can set restrictions, for example so spouses are not matched, and Sly Santa also avoids repeating pairings from previous years.
What does each participant get?
A private wishlist, a short profile, and an anonymous message thread so they can ask their Santa or giftee questions without spoiling the surprise.

Ready? It's free.

One tap and you'll have a group in under a minute.

Start free →