Secret Santa Clues: 40 Ideas That Stay Guessable
By the DrawSage team · Updated · About
Secret Santa clues turn the reveal into a game: the giver drops hints about themselves (not the gift), and the recipient tries to guess who their Santa is. Good clues are specific enough to be fair, vague enough to stay fun, and appropriate for the room you're in. Use this list for office, family and friend draws, then run a free online name draw so matches stay private until the party.
How to use clues without spoiling the secret
- Agree in the invite that clues are optional and work-safe.
- Write 2–3 clues about yourself, not about the gift.
- Start broad (team, floor, decade at the company), then get more specific.
- Put clues on the gift tag, in a sealed envelope, or in chat on reveal day.
- Guess before the Santa stands up — correct guesses can win a tiny prize.
- Skip clues that reveal identity instantly (unique desk plant, only left-hander).
Clue difficulty ladder
| Level | Example | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Broad | "I sit on the same floor as you." | Large offices / mixed groups |
| Medium | "We've been on at least one project together." | Teams that know each other a little |
| Specific | "I always bring the same mug to stand-up." | Close teams / friends |
| Family | "I've never missed Christmas dinner at Mum's." | Multi-generation draws |
| Funny | "My Slack status is a cry for coffee." | Groups that already joke |
| Work-safe skip | Anything about bodies, dating, politics, religion | Always — leave it out |
Three clues is the sweet spot. One is too easy to ignore; five feels like a scavenger hunt nobody asked for.
40 Secret Santa clue ideas
- I've worked here longer than you.
- My desk is closer to the window than yours.
- I had the same breakfast every day this week.
- We've been on the same project once.
- I always forget my umbrella.
- I take the stairs more than the lift.
- My Slack reactions are mostly :eyes:.
- I host the Friday stand-up more than anyone else.
- I sit nearer the kitchen than you do.
- I own more houseplants than most people on this floor.
- I'm usually early to all-hands.
- I always bring snacks to the meeting that runs long.
- You've borrowed a charger from me this year.
- I drink tea, not coffee — usually.
- My hoodie color never changes.
- I leave sticky notes that only make sense to me.
- I'm the one who resets the office Spotify.
- We've high-fived after a deploy.
- I always lose at White Elephant.
- I volunteered to organize last year's Secret Santa (or begged not to).
- Family: I've never missed Christmas dinner.
- Family: I'm taller than you.
- Family: I still sleep in on Boxing Day.
- Family: I burn the first batch of cookies every year.
- Friends: I suggested this group chat's name.
- Friends: I always pick the restaurant.
- Friends: I've known you longer than anyone else here.
- Friends: My birthday is the one everyone forgets.
- Remote: I'm usually the first camera on.
- Remote: My Zoom background is a real room, not a beach.
- Remote: I type in the chat more than I unmute.
- Remote: My time zone is ahead of yours.
- Funny: If lost, return to the coffee machine.
- Funny: My browser has 47 tabs and zero shame.
- Funny: I alphabetize the shared snack shelf in my head.
- Funny: My calendar is 80% "focus time" and 20% chaos.
- Kids-friendly: I can still recite a holiday movie line.
- Kids-friendly: I wrap gifts with way too much tape.
- Kids-friendly: I sneak an extra chocolate from the tin.
- Kids-friendly: I always lose at holiday Pictionary.
Office-safe clue rules
Keep clues about work habits, location, and shared projects — not appearance, relationships, salary, or health. If you wouldn't say it in a Slack thread your manager can read, don't put it on a gift tag. For mixed seniority groups, prefer broad floor/team clues so juniors aren't guessing managers from awkward details.
Clues vs reverse Secret Santa
Reverse Secret Santa often means the clue-guessing version of a normal draw: you still buy for your assigned person, but they guess who you are. Some groups use "reverse" to mean everyone buys for themselves. If you want the guessing game, announce "clue reveal" in the invite and link a reveal-ideas page so people know the format.
Where to put the clues
- Gift tag: 2–3 short lines, no name.
- Sealed envelope taped to the gift — open before unwrapping.
- Group chat drip: one clue a day for three days before the party.
- Video call: paste clues in chat, then unmute to reveal.
- DrawSage tip: put "bring 2 clues about yourself" in Notes for the group so it shows on the join page.
Related guides
Copy-and-paste templates
Optional: write 2–3 clues about YOURSELF (not the gift) for the reveal. Keep them work-safe. We'll guess before Santas stand up. Join + wishlist: [invite link].
Open gifts one by one. Recipient reads the clues aloud and gets one guess. Santa confirms or waits until the end. No pressure — skipping clues is fine.
FAQ
What are good Secret Santa clues?
Start with shared context (floor, team, how long you've worked together), then add one specific habit. Avoid unique identifiers that only one person has.
Should clues be about the gift or the giver?
About the giver. Clues about the gift spoil the surprise and don't help the guessing game.
How many Secret Santa clues should I write?
Two or three. One is weak; more than four feels like homework.
Are Secret Santa clues OK at work?
Yes if they're work-safe: location, projects, harmless habits. Skip anything personal, political, or about appearance.
What's the difference between clues and a reveal game?
Clues are the hints. The reveal game is the structure (guess first, then Santa stands up). Combine both.
Can remote teams use Secret Santa clues?
Yes. Drop clues in chat before cameras go on, or attach them to the shipping note and guess on the video call.
Do I need a name draw if we're doing clues?
Yes for classic Secret Santa. Clues don't replace the assignment — they spice up the reveal. DrawSage keeps matches private until then.
What if someone guesses immediately?
That's fine. Laugh, move on, and keep later clues broader for fairness.