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 generator online: how a randomizer works and what it should have

To assign the pairs you do not have to draw slips: a generator is enough. But simple randomizers show all the pairs to the person who ran them. Here is what a good Secret Santa generator should be able to do.

October 13, 2026 · 3 min read

In this article

What a Secret Santa generator does
A simple randomizer versus a game service: the difference
When a simple generator is enough
When you need an online service
What a good generator should do: a short checklist
How it works in Bazhanka

What a Secret Santa generator does

A generator takes the list of participants and randomly assigns each one a person to give a gift to. The main thing it must guarantee is that nobody draws themselves. The rest depends on the tool.

A simple randomizer versus a game service: the difference

A simple randomizer shows all the pairs on one screen. Whoever ran it sees who gives to whom, and the game stops being secret for them.
A game service shows each person only their own match. Nobody sees the full draw, the organizer included.
A randomizer knows nothing about the budget, the exchange date or wishlists: you have to keep those separately.
A game service can redraw the pairs if someone leaves and remind everyone by which day to prepare the gift.

When a simple generator is enough

You are in one room and everybody sees the result at once.
The organizer does not play, or the team has agreed that they see all the pairs.
You do not need wishlists or reminders.

When you need an online service

If everyone is in a different city, the organizer plays too and the pairs have to reach everyone separately, a simple randomizer will not do: the organizer will still see the pairs or you will have to send a message to each person by hand. In that case a service that shows each person their own match is better.

What a good generator should do: a short checklist

It never pairs a person with themselves.
It shows everyone only their own match.
It does not reveal the whole draw to the organizer.
It lets you set a budget and an exchange date.
It has wishlists to suggest what to give.
It redraws the pairs if someone leaves the game.

How it works in Bazhanka

In Bazhanka you create a group in the “Secret Santa” mode, set the date and, if you like, a budget, invite members by email or link and start the draw when there are at least four people including the organizer. Everyone sees only their own match and that person’s wishlist. Step by step: Secret Santa online. All the rules of the game in one place: Secret Santa in Bazhanka.

If someone leaves after the draw, Bazhanka repeats it automatically for the rest while at least three participants remain. So check your match before you buy a gift.

Try it in Bazhanka

Play Secret Santa

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.