Secret Santa questionnaire

A Secret Santa questionnaire is a short list of questions every participant answers so their gift-giver knows what to buy. It is the difference between "I got a candle" and "I got the exact hot sauce I mentioned once". Copy the questions below into your group chat, or ask participants to answer them in the wishlist box on their Secret Santa page, which only their Santa can read.

The questionnaire (copy and paste)

1. What is your favorite color?
2. Favorite snack or candy?
3. Coffee, tea, or neither?
4. Sweet or savory?
5. Any food allergies or things you never eat?
6. Do you drink alcohol? If so, what?
7. Favorite scent (or none)?
8. Shirt size / hoodie size?
9. Shoe size?
10. Favorite store?
11. Favorite book, author or genre?
12. Favorite movie or TV show?
13. Favorite music artist?
14. What hobby do you spend the most time on?
15. What is something you keep meaning to buy but never do?
16. Do you like board games or card games?
17. Do you cook? What is your kitchen missing?
18. Do you prefer practical gifts or fun gifts?
19. Are you into fitness, hiking or any sport?
20. Do you have pets? What kind?
21. Do you collect anything?
22. Favorite sports team?
23. Something you loved as a kid?
24. Any gift you absolutely do not want?
25. Do you like plants?
26. Do you prefer experiences or things?
27. Would you rather get one bigger gift or several small ones?
28. Something that would make your workday better?
29. Something that would make your commute better?
30. If your Secret Santa had to guess, what would you say you are into?

Short version (10 questions)

For offices where people will not answer 30 questions, use the first ten: color, snack, drink, sweet or savory, allergies, alcohol, scent, sizes, favorite store and a book or show they love. That is enough for a good $20 gift.

How to use it with the generator

After you draw names, each participant's private page has a wishlist box. Tell everyone to paste their answers there. The person who drew them sees the answers; nobody else does. This keeps the questionnaire private and avoids a 40-message thread in the group chat.

Looking for ideas after reading the answers? See gift ideas by budget.