| Make sure this year's Secret Santa gift exchange is | | | | Make participation optional. Especially in workplace |
| the best ever by following four cardinal rules of gift | | | | settings, give folks a pep talk to sign up, but also give |
| exchanges. | | | | them the room to opt out. Not every one is |
| Make sure this year's Secret Santa gift exchange is | | | | comfortable with this holiday ritual. |
| the best ever by following four cardinal rules of gift | | | | Be clear on cash limits. The whole idea is to give gifts |
| exchanges. | | | | that spark fun, not that cost a lot. Dollar limits on gift |
| Whether you call it Secret Santa, Kris Kringle, White | | | | giving are almost always a good idea - not only do |
| Elephant or just plain old 'gift exchange,' there's no | | | | they make sure everyone can afford their role as |
| doubt that holiday season anonymous gift exchanges | | | | Secret Santa, but they help inspire creativity - usually, |
| are a favorite holiday tradition. Why? Simply because | | | | the lower the dollar amount, the higher the creativity |
| they are a sure-fire way to spice up holiday parties | | | | index! |
| and bring groups together around gift giving. | | | | Ensure gifts are appropriate. Find a way to gently |
| While known by the name Secret Santa in the U.S. | | | | remind folks that all gifts must be appropriate to your |
| and Great Britain, the ritual is also known under Kris | | | | group. A common faux pas at many office Christmas |
| Kindle and Kris Kringle in Australia and New Zealand. | | | | parties is the secret santa gift that's a sexy lingerie or |
| The phrase 'Secret Santa' can refer both to the game | | | | sex item that causes embarrassment to the recipient. |
| or to any of the people participating. White Elephant is | | | | If necessary, have a 'referee' who knows the identity |
| a very popular variation on the game. | | | | of every Secret Santa so there is accountability on |
| Whether for office or home, church or school, here | | | | this score. |
| are four cardinal rules to make sure this year's Secret | | | | Consider White Elephant. Stir up enthusiasm by |
| Santa a happy boost to your group's holiday spirit: | | | | changing the format a bit this year! White Elephant, |
| Start early. Don't set up your Secret Santa group and | | | | also known as Thieving Secret Santa, in this variation |
| game at the last minute. Give people time to find | | | | the gifts brought should be suitable for anyone in the |
| thoughtful gifts. The first week after Thanksgiving is a | | | | group, and they should be wrapped in a fashion to |
| great time to set your group up - this is a time when | | | | disguise what they might be. Gift giver identities should |
| thoughts are already turning to Christmas. | | | | be anonymous as well. Players take turns choosing |
| Get people excited! Announce the Secret Santa | | | | and opening a gift, or, instead of opening one, they can |
| program with enthusiasm and salesmanship... remind | | | | 'steal' a previously opened gift. |
| people that the whole point is to get laughs when the | | | | Start planning now and have a great Secret Santa this |
| gifts are opened. | | | | year! |