When we played secret santa, we didn't keep the gift givers anonymous at the point of giving the gifts - only up until then. But you are right, in a traditional game of secret santa, you shouldn't know who the gift is from even once they have been given.
If you are playing with people you see frequently - housemates, colleagues, and so on - I would suggest that each person tries to secretly leave the gift somewhere their recipient will discover it. For example, on their pillow, in their desk drawer, in their coat pocket (when it is hanging up).
If on the other hand, you are playing the game over an unusually short period of time - a single afternoon's shopping for example - I would suggest that you wrap the presents and label them with who they are for. Then, you can one by one come into a room and place the gifts in a black plastic sack. Afterwards, everyone can come in and the gifts can be distributed.
It's important to note that with this method it is possible for people to cheat - if you come in to place you gift and look at what's already in the bag you may find the gift that has your name on. Then you know who has already been in before you, and that narrows down who the gift is from. However, I assume that when you are playing secret santa everyone wants this to stay a secret, and so they won't peek!
I'm not sure the wider world is ready for sub-cyclic not arbitrated Secret Santas.
ReplyDelete(I see no problems in this method)
By the way, if you use this method to run a Secret Santa, I'd love to know - leave a comment to tell me about it!
ReplyDeleteI did secret santa how do u give out presents though to people without ppl knowing its you
ReplyDeleteWhen we played secret santa, we didn't keep the gift givers anonymous at the point of giving the gifts - only up until then. But you are right, in a traditional game of secret santa, you shouldn't know who the gift is from even once they have been given.
ReplyDeleteIf you are playing with people you see frequently - housemates, colleagues, and so on - I would suggest that each person tries to secretly leave the gift somewhere their recipient will discover it. For example, on their pillow, in their desk drawer, in their coat pocket (when it is hanging up).
If on the other hand, you are playing the game over an unusually short period of time - a single afternoon's shopping for example - I would suggest that you wrap the presents and label them with who they are for. Then, you can one by one come into a room and place the gifts in a black plastic sack. Afterwards, everyone can come in and the gifts can be distributed.
It's important to note that with this method it is possible for people to cheat - if you come in to place you gift and look at what's already in the bag you may find the gift that has your name on. Then you know who has already been in before you, and that narrows down who the gift is from. However, I assume that when you are playing secret santa everyone wants this to stay a secret, and so they won't peek!
I hope that helps.
I love that idea of doing Secret Santa while on holiday.
ReplyDelete