Can I invite someone after the start?

No. Joining closes once the game starts so the draw stays fair. Add everyone before you press start.

Can some pairs be excluded?

Yes. Before the game starts the organizer adds exclusions: two people who will never draw each other (spouses, siblings, a couple at work). Only the organizer sees them. If the exclusions leave no valid draw, Bazhanka says so.

Can we play at school or with children?

Yes, if the children can choose a gift themselves and enjoy the game. For younger children it is simpler to keep ordinary gifts. Taking part needs an account, so agree which adult helps with signing up.

Should I sign the gift?

The giver stays secret, so sign it “From your Secret Santa” and do not reveal yourself even after the exchange.

How do we hand over gifts if we live in different cities?

Members agree on the handover themselves, outside Bazhanka: a gift can be sent by post or be a digital one. The app collects no addresses or phone numbers, and the budget can be set in hryvnias, euros or dollars.

Secret Santa

Secret Santa at work: how to organize it for colleagues in five steps

A gift exchange in a team works when it is voluntary, inexpensive and clear. Here is how to organize Secret Santa for colleagues so it becomes a pleasant tradition and not an HR headache.

October 12, 2026 · 2 min read

In this article

Why a team needs Secret Santa
Five steps to organize it
How to choose a budget that offends nobody
A remote team and different cities
Game rules worth stating right away

Why a team needs Secret Santa

It is a simple way to show attention to colleagues without big spending: one gift per person instead of a collection for everyone. For new hires and remote teams it is also a reason to get to know each other better.

Five steps to organize it

Announce the game in the work chat and invite people to join. Taking part must be voluntary: do not push anyone.
Agree on a budget and an exchange date. Pick an amount that is comfortable for everyone, even for those who have just started working.
Create a Secret Santa group and invite colleagues by email or by link.
Let everyone write a short wishlist: three to five ideas at different prices help people avoid guessing.
When everyone has joined, the organizer starts the game. Everyone sees only their own match.

How to choose a budget that offends nobody

Aim at the lowest comfortable amount in the team, not at the average.
Name the budget as a maximum: “up to UAH 500”, not “exactly UAH 500”.
Add a rule that a symbolic gift is perfectly acceptable.

A remote team and different cities

Secret Santa works remotely too: the draw happens online, and the handover can be arranged at a shared video call or by post. Members agree on the place and way of the handover between themselves: Bazhanka does not collect addresses or phone numbers.

Game rules worth stating right away

The giver stays secret even after the exchange day.
The gift must fit the budget and must not be a joke that could offend.
Whoever changes their mind about taking part tells the organizer before the game starts.
After the start nobody new can be added.

If some people should not draw each other (for example spouses, or a manager and a subordinate), the organizer adds pair exclusions before the game starts. Participants do not see them.

You can read the details of the mechanics in a separate piece: Secret Santa online.

Try it in Bazhanka

Create a group for colleagues

Answers about Secret Santa

Frequently asked questions

What is Secret Santa?

It is a gift exchange inside a group: everyone secretly prepares a gift for one other person and stays anonymous until the gift is handed over. The organizer takes part like everyone else.

Is it Secret Santa or Secret Saint Nicholas?

It is the same game with different names. “Secret Santa” is the common English name and “Secret Saint Nicholas” (Таємний Миколай) suits the Ukrainian December holidays. In Bazhanka the mode is called Secret Santa and the rules are the same.

Can I run Secret Santa online for free?

Yes. Create a group in Bazhanka, invite members by email or by link and start the draw: playing is free. Members create an account, then buy and hand over the gifts themselves.

How many people do we need?

At least four, including the organizer. With fewer people the matches are too easy to guess.

Does the organizer see who gives to whom?

No. Everyone, the organizer included, sees only the person they give to. Nobody sees the whole draw.

What happens if someone leaves the game?

Before the start the person simply leaves the roster. After the draw Bazhanka repeats it automatically for the rest if at least three members remain. If only two are left, the game is canceled.