When it comes to the most magical time of year, few phrases spark as much excitement, or mild panic, as Secret Santa.

Whether you're taking part with friends, family, or coworkers, creating a wishlist can take the stress out of gift-giving and help everyone land on something that feels just right. And with Moonsift, it’s easy to keep things fun, anonymous, and affordable.

Let’s break it down.

What is Secret Santa?

Secret Santa is a fun, low-pressure way to exchange gifts during the holidays, perfect for groups who want to keep things budget-friendly and surprise-filled.

Each person draws a name (either from a hat or via an online generator) and becomes that person’s ‘Secret Santa.’ They buy one gift, within a set price range, and their identity stays secret until the gift is revealed.

Often, everyone opens gifts together and tries to guess who their Santa was. These days, it’s also common to create a Secret Santa wishlist, so the gift-giver has some solid ideas to work from.

With Moonsift you can create a wishlist, track what’s been bought, and still keep things hush-hush. Perfect for Secret Santa, and super handy for birthdays, baby showers, and weddings too.

When you create a wishlist using Moonsift, you can reveal what has been bought and by who when you choose – making it perfect for Secret Santa where you need to keep it a surprise! Oh, and it works great for birthdays, baby showers and wedding registries too.

What should I put on my Secret Santa wishlist?

Only you know what you’d love to receive, but here are some smart tips to keep in mind:

➜ Stick to the budget. If your group set a price cap (say, $20 or $50), don’t add items that go over. No one wants to feel pressured to overspend.

➜ Choose treats, not essentials. Think of Secret Santa as a mini indulgence. Add items you wouldn’t normally splurge on for yourself—like a cozy candle, quirky mug, or fun skincare set.

➜ Keep it short and sweet. Your Secret Santa is only buying one thing. Keep your list to around 5–10 items max, so you’re more likely to get something you’ll love.

➜ Share your wishlist early. Give your Santa enough time to shop, especially if they want to order online or snag a Black Friday deal.

Need more ideas?

Check out our guide to creating the ultimate Christmas wishlist.

What do you put on a Secret Santa wishlist for work?

If you’re taking part in an office Secret Santa, the same rules apply—but with a few added layers of consideration. You never know who’s pulling your name… it might be your manager!

Some tips for workplace-appropriate wishlists:

➜ Keep it professional. Maybe skip anything too personal (like PJs or perfume). If you wouldn't want your boss to see it, don’t add it.

➜ Avoid awkward humor. A mug that says “I hate meetings” might seem funny, but it could get misread depending on who’s shopping.

➜ Think desk-friendly. Consider gifts you could use at work: a cute notepad, a desktop plant, a cool pen set, or a candle (for home use, of course).

How to make a Secret Santa gift special?

Wondering how to make a Secret Santa gift feel special for the person you’re buying for? The very fact you’re asking shows what a great Secret Santa you’ll be! Here are some tips.

Ask for their wishlist

That way, you can make sure you’re buying something they actually want!

To make sure you don’t give yourself away, why not suggest that everyone taking part creates a wishlist? They can do it quickly and easily on Moonsift (plus, it’s free!).

Wrap it up nicely

A well-presented gift goes a long way and shows that you’ve put in some effort.

Write something personal

Writing a personal message on the gift label can help the person you’re buying for feel truly special. Maybe you can list some of the qualities you like about them or wish them the best with a goal they’re hoping to complete in the New Year.

Consider Personalization

If something on their wishlist can be personalised, consider splashing out the extra few quid. For instance, you might be able to monogram the recipient’s name or initials on an item they’ve picked out.

Need inspiration for your gift tag? Here’s what to include on your Secret Santa label:

➜ The recipient’s name This one’s non-negotiable!

➜ A festive message Wish them a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.

➜ A personal touch Add a kind note to make them feel special (just don’t give away your identity!).

➜ A playful clue Drop a subtle hint to help them guess who you are, if that’s part of the fun!

What are good Secret Santa hints?

Decided to go down the route of giving your gift recipient some hints to help them guess who you are? Then you might be umming and ahhing about what kind of hint you should leave. Here's a few ideas:

1. Make it rhyme

2. Get out the puns

3. Make it festive

4. Don’t make it too tough to crack (it’s not a serious competition)

5. Don’t make it too easy either

6. Comment on your relationship with the recipient

7. Add veiled references to your job, gender or hair colour, for instance

Here’s an example:

‘Snowflakes are white,

My hair is too.

Your Secret Santa,

Works in HR with you.’

How to make a free Secret Santa list

Now you’re a Secret Santa pro, only one thing remains – it’s time to make your Secret Santa wishlist!

Create your Christmas wishlist at Moonsift (it's free!)

Not only is it completely free, but our universal ‘save’ button lets you add items you like from any store in the world. Then, just share it with your Secret Santa group with one simple link.

Set your wishlist to ‘registry’ mode and your Secret Santa can mark off any items they get you and even leave a gift message – but don’t worry, it will all remain a secret until you choose to reveal it.

Ho ho ho!