So, here’s the deal: Does Secret Santa have to be even? I know, you’ve probably been agonizing over this one—trying to figure out if your group of six people should secretly swap gifts, or if someone’s getting left out. But let me tell you, don’t sweat it! It’s actually easier than you think. I’ll get to why, but first, let’s break down what Secret Santa even is.

What Is Secret Santa, Anyway?

Okay, so you’re probably not that confused about Secret Santa, right? But for the sake of clarity: it’s a holiday tradition where each person randomly gets assigned someone to buy a gift for, and you have to keep it hush-hush until the big reveal. No pressure, right? It’s supposed to be fun. But I’ll be honest—I’ve had my own issues with it.

Like the time I was assigned Greg from HR (he’s fine, but we barely talk) and ended up buying him a gift card to a coffee place. Yeah, zero effort there. Anyway, I digress.

So here’s where the real question lies: Does it have to be even?

Does Secret Santa Have to Be Even? Nope, Not Really.

You’ve probably heard that a “proper” Secret Santa needs to be balanced, like a perfect little circle of gift-giving. But guess what? The rules are way more flexible than you think. Sure, it would be nice if everyone could give and receive a gift—but does it matter if there’s an odd number of people? Not in the slightest.

When I ran my first Secret Santa at work, we had 9 people—awkward, right? I mean, how do you do a “one-to-one” exchange with 9 participants? Turns out, you just roll with it. It worked fine, because someone ended up getting matched twice. Simple. Problem solved.

But if you’re in a group of 15 and you’re still worrying about unevenness, here’s my advice: Just go with the flow. Some people might “float” around, helping where needed. You’ll figure it out.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: if you have an uneven number of people, things don’t actually fall apart. You just adjust a little. There’s no harm, no foul.

How Group Size Affects the Secret Santa Vibe

Alright, so let’s talk about group sizes. I’ve done everything from tiny family exchanges to massive office events, and each one has its own vibe. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Small Groups (3–5 people) – This is pretty chill. I’ve done Secret Santa with just a few close friends. You know each other well, so the gifts are usually thoughtful (or hilariously bad—depends on how much wine you’ve had). The key here is making sure no one feels left out. Trust me, I once forgot to add someone to the draw, and it was awkward. If you’re small, keep track of the names, people.
Medium Groups (6–15 people) – Now we’re talking. This is the sweet spot where people are excited but not overwhelmed. This is usually where you’ll encounter the “What if the numbers don’t add up?” dilemma. But trust me, you can just have one person buy an extra gift for someone or use an online Secret Santa generator to match things up. Easy fix.
Large Groups (15+ people) – This one’s fun but chaotic. In my experience, with a big crowd, someone might act as the “master of ceremonies”—basically, a person who makes sure no one gets left out. It’s like playing Tetris with gifts. You’ve got to make sure everything fits just right.

I remember one year at a work event, we had 25 people. The secret wasn’t the number, but the system—everyone received a gift from someone, and one person floated. We even did a little twist: once you opened your gift, you had to guess who it came from. Yeah, it was chaos—but a fun chaos.

The Budget Factor: Keep It Fair, Keep It Fun

Okay, let’s talk about the money side of things—because you can’t avoid it. Secret Santa usually comes with a price limit. And let me just say this: don’t be that person who overspends. I’ve learned the hard way. Last year, I bought my Secret Santa buddy something expensive—like, too expensive—and then I realized halfway through wrapping it that I’d missed the $20 budget by, well, a lot. Lesson learned: Stick to the budget!

That said, if you’re in a group with a smaller budget, get creative. A thoughtful, handmade gift is worth a lot more than something off the shelf. I once gave my Secret Santa a DIY mug with a stupid inside joke from our office. She loved it. And I loved that I didn’t break the bank.

But here’s the catch: If your group is a little more laid-back, people might not care as much about sticking to the budget. You might even end up with a more personalized experience.

How to Pick the Perfect Gift

Okay, now for the tricky part: what the heck do you get someone you don’t really know that well? This happened to me once. I had to buy a gift for someone who was, well, a total stranger in the office. I ended up getting them a potted plant—because, you know, who doesn’t like plants? But then I realized: not everyone has a green thumb. My coworker’s plant was dead within a week. So, lesson learned: Think practical.

Here’s how you can avoid the weird gifts:

Know Your Recipient – This is key. If your group lets you give hints (thankfully, mine does), use them. Don’t just ask “What do you like?” like a robot. I once got the best hint ever from a coworker who mentioned they liked tea. I found them the most perfect tea set. I felt like a genius.
Stick to Practical – A cozy blanket. A cute mug. Snacks. People love that stuff. Keep it simple, y’all. If you’re really struggling, send a quick “help me” message to the organizer and ask about things like hobbies or interests. Don’t be shy!
Get Personal – A personalized gift can make someone feel super special. And it doesn’t have to be a huge splurge. A monogrammed notebook? A fun T-shirt with an inside joke? Boom. Done.
Avoid Clichés – Unless your recipient is a major fan of cats, please, no cat-themed gifts unless you know them well enough to pull it off. Trust me, I’ve been the recipient of some “quirky” gifts that made me smile awkwardly.

In the End, It’s About Fun

Anyway, let’s wrap this up. Secret Santa isn’t about whether the numbers work out perfectly. It’s about making someone’s day, and hopefully having a laugh along the way. I mean, my first Secret Santa gift was a $5 chocolate bar I bought from the gas station because I was totally unprepared. It wasn’t fancy, but the recipient loved it—and that’s all that matters.

So, whether your group is even, odd, or somewhere in between, the most important thing is to keep the holiday spirit alive. Be thoughtful, stay within budget, and remember: it’s the thought that counts. Now, go out there and spread some joy. You got this.