Secret Santa is a festive and fun way to exchange gifts, but it can be challenging to give great gifts, even if you know the recipient well.
The key to finding a thoughtful gift lies in relying on a Gift List! Half joking, since we are a gift registry company. Jokes aside, the entire gift giving process is made a whole lot easier when we know exactly what folks want. When Secret Santa participants have a gift list, no one has to guess.
If you’d prefer a more structured approach, using a Secret Santa questionnaire can help! Check out this guide to see how it works.
Our Secret Santa platform makes organizing your exchange simple, with built-in tools that allow participants to add to a gift list, so everyone knows exactly what to buy.
Now, just in case you’re still looking to perfect your gift giving intuition before using a Gift List, here are 35 of the best Secret Santa questions to ask!
Secret Santa Questions to Think About
These initial questions will consider the hobbies, interests, and preferences of your Secret Santa recipients.
- What’s your favorite hobby?
- Knowing how they spend their free time can guide you toward a thoughtful gift related to their favorite pastime.
- What type of music do you enjoy?
- A personalized playlist, concert tickets, or even a vinyl record could make the perfect gift for a music lover.
- Who is your favorite band or artist?
- Whether they’re into Taylor Swift, The Beatles, or local indie artists, this question can inspire a creative gift idea.
- Do you have a favorite movie?
- You can find DVDs, movie-themed merchandise, or even tickets to an upcoming film based on this answer.
- What’s your favorite TV show?
- With so many TV-themed gifts available, this question opens up options like t-shirts, mugs, or posters featuring their favorite show.
- What sport do you follow, and who’s your favorite team?
- From sports memorabilia to apparel, fans love showing off their team spirit, making this a great gift idea.
- What’s your favorite video game or gaming console?
- A perfect question for gamers, leading you to gifts like accessories, games, or themed merchandise.
- What book genre do you enjoy reading?
- Knowing whether they love fantasy, thrillers, or self-help books will help you pick a new release or a classic in their favorite genre.
- Who is your favorite author?
- A signed copy or the latest release from their favorite author could make for an unforgettable gift.
- What do you like to do on the weekends?
- This open-ended question can guide you toward experiences or products that enhance their weekend relaxation.
Fun and Personal Secret Santa Questions
Asking personal questions allows you to get to know your recipient on a deeper level, ensuring the gift feels meaningful.
Want questions tailored to kids? Use this Secret Santa questionnaire for kids to make gifting extra fun!
- What’s your favorite color?
- You can curate a gift basket filled with items in their favorite color, from clothing to home decor.
- Do you collect anything?
- Whether it’s stamps, Funko Pops, or vintage postcards, a gift that adds to their collection is sure to be appreciated.
- What’s your favorite snack or candy?
- This is perfect for putting together a snack box or candy assortment tailored to their tastes.
- What’s your go-to drink?
- From coffee and tea to wine or whiskey, this question leads to gifts like specialty beverages, mugs, or drink accessories.
- Do you prefer sweet or savory treats?
- Tailor your food gifts based on whether they prefer sweet indulgences like chocolate or savory snacks like chips.
- What’s your favorite scent?
- A great question if you’re considering a candle, essential oil, or perfume gift. Choose something that matches their favorite fragrance.
- What’s your favorite holiday?
- This can inspire gifts related to their favorite time of year, like holiday decorations or festive apparel.
- Do you enjoy cooking or baking?
- If yes, kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, or unique ingredients can make for excellent gifts.
- What’s your dream vacation destination?
- Travel-themed gifts like guidebooks, maps, or even a travel fund jar can inspire their next adventure.
- Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
- Knowing this will help you decide between cozy indoor gifts or gear for outdoor fun.
Secret Santa Questions for Specific Gift Ideas
These questions will help you discover practical, thoughtful gifts that align with your recipient’s daily life.
For workplaces, try using this Secret Santa questionnaire for your workplace to keep it professional yet fun.
- What’s your favorite way to relax?
- This can lead to gifts like bath products, cozy blankets, or relaxing teas—perfect for winding down.
- Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?
- Earrings, bracelets, or even a jewelry box to store their collection could be an ideal gift.
- What’s your favorite candle scent?
- Candles are a popular gift, but knowing their favorite scent makes it even more special.
- Do you have a favorite fast food restaurant?
- A gift card to their go-to fast food spot is always a practical and appreciated option.
- What’s your favorite thing to wear at home?
- Whether it’s cozy pajamas or loungewear, this question helps you choose a gift that’s both comfortable and personal.
- Do you have any pets?
- Pet owners will appreciate gifts for their furry friends, like toys, treats, or even custom pet portraits.
- What’s your favorite form of exercise?
- Gifts like workout gear, fitness trackers, or even a subscription to a fitness app can align with their exercise routine.
- What’s your favorite type of footwear?
- Whether they love sneakers, boots, or slippers, footwear-related gifts are always useful and thoughtful.
- Do you like tech gadgets?
- From phone accessories to smart home devices, knowing they’re into tech opens up many gift possibilities.
- Do you enjoy DIY or crafting projects?
- This can inspire gifts like DIY kits, craft supplies, or tools for their next project.
More Secret Santa Questions to Consider
These additional questions will further help you narrow down gift options, ensuring the present is both thoughtful and tailored to their preferences.
Looking for simple and quick questions? This guide to easy Secret Santa questions is a great resource!
- What’s your favorite board game or card game?
- Whether it’s Monopoly or a deck of cards, this is great for anyone who loves games.
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
- This question provides insight into what types of gifts resonate most with them, making it easier to choose something meaningful.
- Do you prefer handmade or store-bought gifts?
- Some people love the personal touch of handmade items, while others might prefer something professionally made.
- What’s your shirt size?
- If you’re thinking about clothing, knowing their size is key to finding the perfect fit.
- Do you have any allergies?
- While not as fun as some of the other questions, this is essential if you’re buying edible gifts, to ensure nothing goes to waste.
When to Ask Secret Santa Questions
Timing is everything when it comes to organizing a successful Secret Santa gift exchange.
Before there were great software solutions, you would ask Secret Santa questions as soon as the receiver committed to joining the exchange. This gave everyone enough time to think carefully about their answers, providing thoughtful and detailed responses. It also gave the gift-givers a head start on shopping, especially if some gifts need to be ordered online. By gathering responses early, you helped reduce last-minute stress and avoid the rush of holiday shopping.
If you’re using our Secret Santa platform, however, Gift Lists can be shared digitally once participants sign up. This ensures that everyone has their preferences noted well in advance of the exchange date. Not only that, the Gift List provides exactly what participants want, eliminating the chance for an unwanted gift!
How to Collect Secret Santa Questions for a Virtual Exchange
With many Secret Santa exchanges now taking place virtually, collecting responses to Secret Santa questions has never been easier. Instead of handing out physical questionnaires, you can send them digitally, making it convenient for participants to fill out their answers from anywhere.
Our Secret Santa platform removes the need to guess what your participants want because their Gift List will provide exactly what they want! Each pair of Secret Santa guests will know the precise gifts that each other wants, so everyone will get exactly what they are looking for, making for a really easy, fun, successful holiday gift exchange.
How Detailed Should Secret Santa Questions Be?
The goal is to find a balance between fun, open-ended questions and practical details that help with gift selection. You want your participants to feel like their preferences are being considered, but you also want to leave room for creativity and surprise.
Ask questions that allow participants to express their unique tastes, such as their favorite snacks, hobbies, or favorite holiday memories, while also including practical questions like clothing sizes or any allergies.
Why Use Our Secret Santa Platform for Your Exchange?
Our Secret Santa platform makes it easier than ever to gather all the helpful details you need and ensure every participant gets a gift they’ll love.
How it works in 5 simple steps:
- Select Your Invitation
- Add Your Event Details
- Invite Your Guests
- Match & Draw Names
- Have Fun Encouraging Everyone to Add to their Gift Lists and Enjoy the Best Secret Santa Gift Exchange of the Year!
Key benefits of our Secret Santa platform include:
- Easy-to-Use Admin Dashboard that offers a simple way to keep track of the event, all in one place.
- The Gift List where everyone can simply add exactly what they want with a single click or tap.
- Drawing & Matching your participants in one, simple step.
Sign up for our Secret Santa platform today, and make this year’s gift-giving season fun, easy, and personalized!
