Agree on the rules before the draw
The exchange takes place inside a group and is created by its owner. At least three people must voluntarily join before the draw can run.
- Agree on a gift date and how gifts will be handed over.
- Set the budget and currency.
- Give everyone a joining deadline.
- Discuss delivery limits and gifts people do not want.
Group actions depend on subscription access and the participant’s role. Review the owner’s plan and invited members’ access before relying on the exchange.
Prepare a few suitable wishes
Add several options within the agreed budget. Include the exact version, size, colour or format and a specific product link. Share the chosen wishes with the exchange group.
The recipient’s wishlist shows wishes shared with that group. It does not automatically expose the recipient’s entire personal collection.
Set up the exchange
- Open Secret Santa in your group.
- The owner creates an exchange with a name, gift date, budget and currency.
- Participants choose to join voluntarily. They can leave before the draw.
- The owner checks the list and runs the draw once at least three people have joined.
- Each participant opens their recipient and the wishes shared with the group.
Check the participant list first. After the draw, the assignments and participant list are fixed; you cannot add a late participant to that same draw or run it again.
Keep the assignments private
Each participant sees only their own recipient. The group owner also sees only their own assignment, rather than a complete table of pairs. Avoid posting the result in the group chat if the exchange should stay a surprise.
Cancelling an exchange closes the event. It cannot make an assignment someone has already seen unknown again.
Coordinate gifts without duplicates
Specific wishes and clear preferences reduce the need for follow-up questions. Gift reservations and shared-gift contributions can also help coordinate purchases; these are separate workflows from the Secret Santa draw.
Participants arrange purchases, payments and transfers themselves. VIOTray keeps wishes and agreements together.
An exchange for six friends
Six friends agree to exchange gifts at a holiday gathering. The owner sets the date and budget, everyone shares a few suitable wishes with the group and voluntarily joins the exchange. The owner checks the list before running the draw.
Each person can then see their recipient’s group wishlist. Create a separate plan for the gathering to agree on a start time and collect attendance replies.