How to organize Secret Santa via WhatsApp

1. Agree on the date, budget and rules

Before creating the exchange, decide when you will give the gifts, the currency and a budget range everyone is comfortable with. Agree on any theme, what happens if someone cannot attend and the deadline for confirming. The WhatsApp group is useful for these general conversations; avoid sharing personal information that the group does not need.

2. Create the exchange with your account

Sign in and open Exchanges to create one. Give it a recognizable name, a description and the agreed budget. Review the date, time and time zone if you use them. The organizer must also be included as a participant to take part in the draw. You need access to an account to organize an exchange; if you cannot register or sign in, contact the support team.

3. Add people and share each invitation separately

Add your participants and open the invitation stage. Use Share link beside each person to open their sharing modal. You can view and copy the link or open WhatsApp with a prepared message; check the recipient and send it yourself. Each invitation belongs to one person, so do not post the same invitation to the whole group or reuse someone else's link.

4. Check responses and exclusions

Ask each guest to open their personal link and accept or decline. Review the statuses before closing invitations. If partners or other combinations should be kept apart, set exclusions before the draw. At least two participants must be confirmed and no responses can remain pending; the exclusions must also allow a complete valid assignment.

5. Close invitations and run the draw

Once the group is ready, close invitations and use the draw action. If exclusions make a complete result impossible, review the rules rather than promising an assignment that cannot be made. The draw happens in anything.gift, not inside WhatsApp. Each participant checks their own assignment through their access; do not post screenshots of the results in the group.

6. Coordinate wishes and delivery without spoiling the surprise

Encourage each person to prepare or select their wishlist from their participation when available. Use the group for date reminders and shared arrangements, while keeping assignments and personal links private. Before buying, check the budget and gift details. Purchasing and delivery are arranged outside anything.gift.

Common questions

Can I send one invitation to the whole group?

Not for an exchange. Each participant has their own invitation. Send each person their link in a private chat; use the group for the general rules.

What if someone has not confirmed yet?

Check their status and ask them to respond before closing invitations. Do not assume they are taking part or try to run the draw with pending responses.

Does WhatsApp run the draw or send the gifts?

No. WhatsApp shares messages and links; anything.gift manages the exchange and assignments. Purchases and deliveries are handled separately.