Pick My Secret Santa

Pick My Secret Santa draws names in secret.

Dirty Santa rules

Dirty Santa is a swap with steals. Each guest brings one wrapped gift. The group sets one price cap first. You open gifts in turn. A turn can end with a steal.

51 days until Christmas, Friday, December 25, 2026.

The rules, step by step

1. Bring one wrapped gift near the budget.
2. Write one number per slip. All draw one slip.
3. Number one picks a wrapped gift. They open it for all to see.
4. The next guest makes a choice. Open a new gift, or steal an opened one.
5. If your gift gets stolen, pick once more. Open a fresh one, or steal one back.
6. Most groups cap steals on one gift. Three steals in a round is the norm.
7. Play ends when every gift stands open.
8. Number one takes the last move. They may swap for any opened gift.

House rules bend these steps. Set the steal cap first. That one call stops most fights.

Is Dirty Santa the same as White Elephant?

Nearly. The name shifts from place to place. The steal game stays the same.

How is Dirty Santa not Secret Santa?

Secret Santa gives each guest one name in secret. This game fights for gifts in the open. No names get drawn at all.