Porchlight
How Porchlight works

Secret Santa, in detail

  1. 1Who's in the drawEveryone in the group with the app is, until names are drawn. You can step out (or back in) from the Secret Santa page.
  2. 2The drawOne loop, so everyone gives exactly one gift and gets exactly one. Households never draw each other, and last year's matches can be avoided.
  3. 3After the revealYour person's page shows their wishlist. Say what you're getting (only someone running it who isn't playing sees it) so nobody doubles up.
  4. 4The big finishAfter the exchange, whoever runs Secret Santa can reveal who everyone's Santa was.

Running Secret Santa

  • The gathering's leaders run it, or hand it to someone else (often someone who isn't playing).
  • Edit the questionnaire, set a budget and a wishlist due date. Reminders go out two days before and on the day.
  • Check who's finished and send a friendly nudge to anyone who hasn't.
  • Households (tap People on the group's page) keep partners from drawing each other. Turn on avoid last year's matches too.
  • Not playing yourself? Step out of the draw and you'll be able to see all the matches.
  • Re-draw, reset and reveal the Santas from the settings.